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Railway Hotel, Barnham, Chichester

Barnham and Eastergate pub history index

The Railway Hotel began life as the City Arms west of the later Railway Hotel. By 1823 it was owned by Edward Field with Joseph Bridger as tenant and the name had been changed to the Barnham Bridge Inn. In 1846, it was called the Knights of Malta. The opening of Barnham Junction station in June 1864, when the inn was enlarged at a cost of £500 and renamed The Railway Hotel. The new Railway Hotel opened in 1907 with Albert Coe until 1936.

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

Residents at this address.

In 1911 at the Railway Hotel, Barnham, Bognor
Alfred Coe, Hotel Proprietor aged 49 and born in Halstead, Essex
Edith Coe, Wife, Assisting in business 47 and born in Norwich, Norfolk
Alfred William Coe, Son, Motor car driver garage aged 20 and born in Madehurst, Sussex
Lizzy Edith Coe, Daughter, Assisting in business aged 17 and born in Madehurst, Sussex
Gladys Lousia Coe, Daughter aged 15 and born in Madehurst, Sussex
Daisy Rose Coe, Daughter aged 13 and born in Madehurst, Sussex
Mary Stinney, General servant hotel aged 20 and born in Southbersted, Sussex
Edith Mortlock, Housemaid hotel aged 28 and born in Dukinfield, Lancashire
Walter Graham, Stable helper aged 23 and born in Poplar, London

In 1921 at the Railway Hotel, Barnham, Eastergate
Edith Coe, Wife, Home Duties aged 55 years 5 months and born in Fakenham, Norfolk
Alfred Coe, Hotel Proprietor aged 57 years 8 months and born in Halstead, Essex
William Coe, Son, Small Holder aged 30 years 11 months and born in Madehurst, Sussex
Daisy Coe, Daughter, Assisting Father In Hotel Pensioner. A Coe Hotel Proprietor aged 23 years 7 months and born in Madehurst, Sussex
Gladys Bowley, Daughter, Home Duties aged 24 years 5 months and born in Madehurst, Sussex
Albert Bowley, Son-in-law, Jockey aged 26 years 2 months and born in Bognor, Sussex
Pamela Bowley, Granddaughter aged 3 years and born in Barnham, Sussex
Violet Gardner, Maid, A Coe Hotel Proprietor aged 19 years 8 months and born in West Chiltington, Sussex
Rosa Cooper, Maid, A Coe Hotel Proprietor aged 40 years 9 months and born in Catherington, Hampshire
Anna Tuck, Relative Assisting, A Coe Hotel Proprietor aged 64 years 11 months and born in Cromer, Norfolk
Muriel Colgrave, Boarder aged 20 years 2 months and born in Walberton, Sussex
Alfred Colgrave, Boarder, Taxi Proprietor aged 21 years and born in Woking, Surrey

1930, Alfred Coe, Railway Hotel, Eastergate, Chichester .. Post Office Directory

Hampshire Telegraph. 03 July 1936
The funeral of Mr Alfred Coe, who was Barnhams oldest licensee,

West Sussex Gazette. 05 June 1947
The license of the Railway Hotel, Barnham was transferred from Mrs Green to Mr B T Oberst

Bognor Regis Observer. 17 April 1948
Resident Licensee : Major B T Oberst MBE
"The Different"" (Railway Hotel, Barnham)
As always, Good Food. Well cooked. See our specimen menus published last week.
Good Drink, Henty's reasonable prices. In our saloon bar Bitter is 1/3 and Gin 1/10
Good Cheer, Snooker and darts. Dancing every Saturday.
Special return visit - George Boyd and His Skyliners
St Georges Day Dance Friday, 23rd April 8pm - 12.30am
Tickets 3/6 including free return transport to Bognor.
Bar extension applied for.

Portsmouth Evening News. 02 December 1959
The Railway Hotel, Barnham, Sussex
Mr and Mrs D J Harcourt of the Unicorn Hotel, Chichester have pleasure in advising their many friends that they have possession of the above house on Monday, 7th December next, and trust that they may welcome all, as it's the same brew - Watney/Tamplins.
The Unicorn will continue to honour all bookings until Wednesday Market Lunch, 27th January 1960 remaining under our contriol.

Bognor Regis Observer. 14 August 1970
It may surprise some to believe that there is less traffic now (1970) than in the 1920's.
To prove this, comparison of two pictures of the Railway Hotel (renamed the Barnham Hotel) forecourt with scores of open tourers parked outside and another of the men who drove them here, farmers and agricultural dealers at busy Barnham Market, now alas no more.



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And Last updated on: Friday, 13-Feb-2026 16:46:38 GMT