The Lock Up

You will know by now that we have a knack of finding tearooms converted from the most unlikely places – stables (2), barns (several), servants hall(2), polytunnels(2), public conveniences(2). Since we moved to Midhurst we have been going to Garton’s Coffee House in the old market square. It used to be the local lock up (a first).

More accurately, it houses the lock up in what was the Town Hall, built in the early 19th century. Two cells are still visible in the coffee house, possibly still in use as store rooms. This is a detail from one, it speaks for itself. Would you like to have been incarcerated there, even for one night?

The building also houses the old stocks and pillory in an alcove under the outside stairs. The stocks were last used in 1859 when one Henry Eldridge was sentenced to a period of 6 hours for non-payment of a fine. So says a plaque on the wall.

Just by way of an aside and in the interests of other tea and coffee addicts everywhere, Gartons is a nice place to while away an hour or so, longer if you have one of their delicious lunches. Friendly, with great cakes and bakes, and tables outside in the newly paved square where you can watch pretty much all of Midhurst pass by, if you wait long enough.