The White Hart, a historic landmark inn located in Lewes, reopened today after an extensive multi-million pound refurbishment by Heartwood Inns. To celebrate the opening, guests were transported back to the early days of the inn and invited to immerse themselves in the wonderful history of the building and Lewes.
The White Hart is a historic coaching inn centrally located in the market town of Lewes, East Sussex. Steeped in history, Lewes is notably known as the home of American Founding Father and political activist Thomas Paine who contributed to the creation of the American Declaration of Independence. Frequented by Thomas and his acquaintances in the Headstrong Club, The White Hart has since become known as “the cradle of American Independence”.
On arrival guests were greeted by “Thomas Paine”, a Founding Father of America and regular at The White Hart in the early 18th century. Interacting with “William Verrall” one of the inn’s original publicans and other local characters, guests enjoyed a tasting from a specially-brewed cask of Tom Paine ale from family-owned Harvey’s brewery, 18th century music, calligraphy and more. Local clockmakers and restoration experts W.F. Bruce also helped to unveil the newly repaired and restored Holman Parliamentary clock that takes pride of place in the bar. The opening concluded with the pub being officially opened by the Mayor of Lewes, Imogen Makepeace, and Thomas Paine.
Owned and operated by award-winning Heartwood Inns, the transformed inn now has 23 beautiful boutique bedrooms for guests to stay in, including four newly created Luxe rooms, a cosy wood panelled pub to the front and a stunning dining room and terrace to the rear offering diners sweeping views of the town and the South Downs beyond. Guests will note Heartwood’s signature quirky touches throughout the inn including Bramley toiletries, Bert & May tiles and Linwood fabrics alongside nods to the area including historic images of the pub sourced from local family-owned Edward Reeves Photography.
Guests visiting The White Hart will be able to enjoy its seasonal, sustainably sourced menu created in line with Heartwood’s three star rating from the Sustainable Restaurant Association, the highest rating possible. Working with U.K. suppliers such as Aubrey Allen, butcher to the royal household, guests will be able to try dishes such as 8 hour slow-cooked shoulder of Highland venison with Grand Veneur sauce, blackberries and mash or “Autumn Still Life”, a sweet tribute to autumn foraging in the woods.
Richard Ferrier, CEO, Heartwood Collection, said:
“We are immensely proud of the work that has gone into restoring this beautiful coaching inn which is brimming with history. It is not often that you have the opportunity to acquire such an important slice of American history, particularly on U.K. soil, and we can’t wait to share The White Hart with locals and visitors from further afield.”
The White Hart is Heartwood Inns’ third pub with rooms and will be joined by two further pubs with rooms in 2024:
The Coat & Bear, Newbury, Berkshire – opening 29th October
The Royal Forest, Epping Forest, Greater London – opening 6th December
The Group remains on track to open more than 60 sites by 2027 with more than 500 rooms as part of its ambitious growth trajectory following its £100m investment by Alchemy Partners and already has seven locations confirmed to open in 2025.
Stay up to date with the latest news at www.whitehartlewes.com
For more information on Heartwood Inns please visit www.heartwoodinns.com
For more information on Heartwood Collection please visit www.heartwoodcollection.com
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Press Contact
For any media enquiries please contact Emma Martin: press@heartwoodcollection.com / 020 3166 2727
Notes to editors
Heartwood Collection is the Group that operates 26 Heartwood Inns pubs and 14 Brasserie Blanc restaurants across the UK. Heartwood Collection’s current site portfolio is as follows:
Inns
The Barley Mow – Englefield Green, Surrey
The Black Horse – Thame, Oxfordshire
The Black Horse – Reigate, Surrey
The Black Swan – Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire
The Boot – Histon, Cambridge
The Britannia – Parkstone, Dorset
The British Queen – Locksbottom, Kent
The Cricketers – Cobham, Surrey
The Hare – Harrow Weald, Middlesex
The Highwayman – Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire
The Jobber’s Rest – Upminster, Essex
The Jolly Farmer – Chalfont St Peter, Buckinghamshire
The King’s Arms – Prestbury, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
The King’s Head – Teddington, Middlesex
The March Hare – Guildford, Surrey
The Oaks – Highcliffe, Christchurch, Dorset
The Plough & Harrow – Long Ditton, Surrey
The Queen’s Head – Weybridge, Surrey
The Quill & Scholar – Lichfield, Staffordshire
The Red Deer – Horsham, West Sussex
The Rising Sun – Reading, Berkshire
The Ropemaker – Emsworth, Hampshire
The Sun Inn – Chobham, Surrey
The White Bear – Ruislip, Middlesex
The White Hart – Lewes, East Sussex The White Horse – Dorking, Surrey
Brasserie Blanc Restaurants
London – Chancery Lane
London – Fulham Reach
London – Southbank
London – Threadneedle Street
Beaconsfield
Bournemouth
Cheltenham
Chichester
Hale Barns
Leeds
Milton Keynes
Oxford
Portsmouth Winchester
Upcoming openings:
The Coat & Bear – Newbury, Berkshire. Opening October 2024
The Royal Forest – Epping Forest, London. Opening November 2024
The Prince of Wales – East Barnet, London. Opening Winter 2024
The Old Crown – Great Bookham, Surrey. Opening Spring 2025
The White Hart – Lymington, Hampshire. Opening Spring 2025
The Ragged Robin – Godalming, Surrey. Opening 2025
The Woodman – Palmers Green, London. Opening 2025
The George & Dragon – Marlow, Buckinghamshire. Opening 2025
The Red Lion – Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire. Opening 2025
Heartwood Collection is backed by Alchemy Partners. Heartwood recently announced the news that Heartwood Collection recently secured an additional £100m of funding from its owner Alchemy Partners and its banking partner OakNorth to support the Group’s continued growth in freehold pubs and freehold pubs-with-rooms. Heartwood Inns has been awarded the Best Managed Pub Group and Best Operations Team Awards at the Publican Awards 2024 alongside the R200 Best Food-Led Pub Group Awards 2023. As part of Heartwood Collection, Heartwood Inns has been recognised as a Sunday Times Best Places to Work. Heartwood Inns has been shortlisted for the 2024 R200 Best Food-Led Pub Group Awards and Best Pub Business in the Peach Hero & Icon Awards.
For any media enquiries please contact Emma Martin: press@heartwoodcollection.com / 020 3166 2727
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