about the Mint house

The Mint House, invariably known as 'Ye Olde Mint House' in Pevensey is one of the most iconic buildings in Sussex. It boasts the largest, most intact tripartite (three-bay) kitchen in Sussex, an oak-panelled room with 17th century 'Leviathan' carvings, a wall painting in an upper chamber dated between 1580 and 1600, prime examples of reused timbers, stone, and brick. Built for civic use some time between 1480 and 1580, it was converted to residential use circa 1600. In the 18th century, it was divided into three tenant cottages, but by 1908 it had been bought by Charles Henry Allen, re-unified and opened as an Antiques Shop. It remained as such until circa 2013. It was purchased in 2018 by the current owner. As of August 2021, The Friends of the Mint House trust gained custodianship of the building whilst raising the funds to purchase it, conserve it sympathetically, and open it as a free museum and heritage centre with a focus on education for all, as well as trailblazing eco-heritage methods of conservation. First Listed in October 1952 as Grade II, the Listing was upgraded to Grade II* in September 2021, making it one of only 5.5% of buildings in the UK with that status. In October 2022, we are pleased to announce that The Mint House was added to Historic England's 'Heritage at Risk' Register.

We are fortunate in that the Allen family at the turn of the last century were excellent at marketing, as from circa 1910 to throughout the 20th century, several postcards, engravings, guide books, even tea sets and door knockers were sold to attract visitors. Even HM Queen Mary signed the Mint House guest book in 1935, after buying furniture from the shop and having it sent to Buckingham Palace! Here are some examples of the old photographs and postcards, circa 1910-1920.