A little gem of a boozer!

Upon returning from South Africa, I have been residing at my sister’s apartment in Hove, on Second Avenue, 50mts from the beach on the top floor of a converted Victorian House. It is a beautiful spacious two bedroom flat. No I am not trying to sell it has already been sold. My sister is waiting for the sale to be completed, and while she is waiting, she very kindly offered me the use.

Hove is next door to Brighton which is a holiday resort for wealthy Londoners. London being only an hour away, it is also popular with day trippers, and has very active night life. All very good, bright lights, loud music, lots of twenty, thirty some things enjoying the sea air, and partying the night away, but where do you go to find a good pub which to have a beer after work?

In my wanderings in search of such an establishment, I came across a little gem of a boozer with a unique past. The landlady, Sue gave me a warm welcome, and the regulars were just as friendly.

The Bow Street Runner

In Brighton people know the story of Brighton Pavilion. George 1V, the Prince Regent built it as a discreet location for him to enjoy liaisons with his long-time companion, Mrs Fitzherbert. The Prince had wished to marry her, and did so in secrecy, after his divorce from Queen Caroline for her adultry.

Another story is told by the locals who drink in the Bow Street Runner. An urban legend true or not, has grown and is told by the regulars a friendly lot, it has to be said. They tell me the pub was originally a police station, looking back in records I found it did indeed change its name from the Station Inn. Aparently it was getting too many telephone calls requesting the time of the next train to London.

Landlady Sue and a few of the regulars

According to the locals the police station came into being because of the ammerous advances of a royal who had taken a lover across the street. The police opened a small police station to keep an eye on the royal and his late night wanderings. Once his lustfull ways had been fulfilled the police station closed and turned into the fine public house it has become today.

Nobody could tell me which royal or who he had liaisons with. Not surprising as the pub had been in excistance for over two hundred years, and I have had trouble remembering what happened last night on occassions.

The pub is in Brunswick Street coincidentally Queen Caroline’s title prior to her marriage to George 1V was Caroline the Duchess of Brunswick. Perhaps it wasn’t a he, having an affair but a she? Has the story has changed down the years? Could it be that Caroline was the one having an affair? After all she was divorced for her adultery. Was the police station opened for her protection!

I’ll have to pop down and inform the locals in the Bow Street Runner of my pontifications. Not that I need an excuse to revist such a friendly establishment.