The Mint House has stood at the heart of Pevensey since shortly after 1525 AD—originally thought to be a hospitium or bustling inn, complete with an enormous detached kitchen. By 1570, it had grown into a thriving complex, thanks to trade from the reopened channel connecting Pevensey to the sea. Ships once again sailed in, ferrying iron from the Sussex Weald to London and Portsmouth—and business was booming.

To keep up with demand, the inn expanded. A neighbouring house was absorbed, a new cross-wing added, and the old first floor dormitory was cleverly split into guest rooms. Even the attic was transformed into extra accommodation. Inside, the décor evolved too—from bold and flamboyant fruit and floral schemes to the clean, bright elegance of Seventeenth Century fashions. Traces of these historic interiors still survive today.

By the late 1700s, the building’s purpose began to shift from accommodation to more purely commercial. For a brief time in the mid-19th century, it even became a private residence—or rather, three small cottages.

But the real transformation came in the early 20th century, when local entrepreneur, Charles Allan bought the property. Renamed The Mint House, it was reborn as a much-loved antiques shop and visitor attraction for more than a hundred years. This was its second golden age—a time when local folklore and myth was created.

Visitors whispered tales of grisly murders, secret tunnels, smuggling rings, royal guests, dramatic sword fights—and yes, a ghost or two. The folklore grew rich and wild, woven into the very fabric of the house.