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Crocodile Inn, Dane Hill. Uckfield, Sussex

Danehill pub history index

First documented in 1701,when the holding was granted to Peter Austin. In the will of James Luxford brickmaker, dated 1847, it was described as a beerhouse. It passed to his widow, Mary, thes ame year and in 1860 to John Harvey of Lewes, a brewer, with William May as the tenant. The earliest use the name "The Crocodile" is in the Court Books of the Manor of Horsted Broadhurst in 1864. The house was rebuilt about 1907 and the May family remained licensees until 1954. After Norman May retired, the building was “modernised” For a while. In late 1980s it was closed and is now three private houses

Directory of Pubs in the UK, historical public houses, Taverns, Inns, Beer Houses and Hotels in Beckley, Sussex .

Residents at this address

In 1851 at Dane Hill, Horsted Keynes, Cuckfield
Mary Luxford, Licensed beer seller, Widow aged 68 and born in Chailey, Sussex
Louisa Luxford, Grand daughter, House servant aged 16 and born in Horsted Keynes, Sussex

Hastings and Bexhill Independent. 21 January 1904
Application by Henry George May, of the Crocodile Beerhouse in Dane Hill for a license to sell liquor on and off the premises.

In 1911 at the Crocodile Inn Dane Hill Uckfield Sussex
Henry George May, Inn Keeper aged 41 and born in Dane Hill, Sussex
Herbert Victor Edward May, ISon aged 13 and born in Dane Hill, Sussex
Norman Frank May, ISon aged 11 and born in Dane Hill, Sussex

In 1921 at Danehill, Nr East Grinstead, Danehill, Sussex,
Henry George May, Inn Keeper aged 51 and born in Danehill, Sussex
Ethel Nellie May, Wife aged 48 and born in Lewes, Sussex

1930, Henry George May, beer retailer, Danehill, Sussex .. Post Office Directory

Kent & Sussex Courier. 23 November 1934
Death, Henry George May, aged 64, licensee of the Crocodile Inn Dane Hill, was found drowned in a water tank at the rear of his premises, with a weight about his neck.





PUB HISTORY
And Last updated on: Saturday, 07-Feb-2026 17:16:41 GMT