"Difficult to Find - Impossible to Forget"
RICHARD WOODMAN was a local ironmaster and church warden who was burned at the stake in Lewes on June, 22nd 1557, having called his rector "Mr. Facing-Both-Ways" for being a Protestant under Henry the Eighth and a Catholic under Mary. The story of Richard Woodman is told on the West Wall of the Nave in Warbleton Church and also on the Churchyard Wall close to the stile. Ironwork found in the Warbill-ln-Tun Inn is thought to have been the work of Richard Woodman who, according to legend sought refuge in the Inn whilst being hunted for the offence for which he was burned at the stake.
The Inn was extensively renovated in the early 1970's; during the work concealed vaults for storing contraband (and hiding from the revenue men!) were found in the floors and ceilings. The character of the building being quite untouched by the restoration. There are many stories told about this place, tales of contraband, priest holes, sudden death and of course ghosts. And sitting round the log fire in the depths of winter with the wind moaning through the eaves and the lights turned down it is possible to imagine anything; but we hope that all this doesn't detract from your enjoying your meal. |