A little history of Keymer Lodge in Hassocks

In February 2023’s issue of Hassocks Life we asked if anyone knew any information about ‘Keymer Lodge’ indicated by a remaining pair of gate piers off Keymer Road. Reader Jonathan Taylor has kindly provided the following insight, which we’ve tried to illustrate for you to see clearer.

By Jonathan Taylor

Keymer Lodge was easternmost of a pair of large semi-detached houses on Keymer Road. It must have been built before 1874 and demolished after 1955, judging from its appearance on the large scale maps held by the National Library of Scotland (www.maps.nls.uk).
To the east of Keymer Lodge was a large, detached house – Highlands – on the site now occupied by The Poplars. Highlands Close presumably got its name from the house. A trace of the driveway to Highlands survives as a depression in the ground just to the east of the Keymer Lodge gateway.
The other semi-detached house, to the west of Keymer Lodge, appears to have been accessed from Willowbrook Way, and its original gate piers survive as the entrance to 12 Willowbrook Way.

Do you have any history questions, or facts to ask or share? Get in touch via our email address: editor@hassockslife.co.uk.

BN6 Craft Beer and Tap opens on Keymer Road

Duncan and Fleur Lane have opened BN6 Craft Beer and Tap on Keymer Road. The relaxed and spacious interior feels like a cross between a café and a pub. The premise behind the micropub is that you can come and have a drink or two, and chat without the distractions of screens, gaming machines or music. Duncan says: “We’re engaging with people. It’s a convivial space where people can get together and talk about what’s going on in the world.”

At the same time, WiFi is available, and some tables are tucked away to aid quiet reflection. Board games are available too. As well as hot drinks, soft drinks, and gin and wine from Ditchling, BN6 offer an ever-changing choice of Sussex beers and ales from independent brewers. Keeping the focus local helps reduce their carbon footprint, and, of course, they will usually offer one of their own beers too!

Duncan’s family have lived in Hurstpierpoint for the last hundred years. He took over Hurst Brewery about four and a half years ago, after having worked for the previous owners. He says: “They reinvented the old Victorian Hurst Brewery and when they retired, we couldn’t bear to see the tradition disappear, so we bought the business.” After nearly five years, they wanted to expand. Fleur explains: “We felt a micropub would compliment the microbrewery well. It means we meet our customers and deal with lots of nice brewers.” The couple, who live in Hurstpierpoint with their two teenage daughters, snapped up the Costa site. “There’s a garden which we’ll open in spring,” says Fleur, “but it will have limited hours to take local residents into account.”