The Gun Public House

The Gun Public House, commonly known as The Gun Inn or simply The Gun, is a historic pub in Keyhaven, in the New Forest district of Hampshire, England. It is a Grade II listed building, recognised for its architectural and historic interest. The pub's origins are believed to reach back to a dwelling on the site in the 1600s, though the earliest tangible record is from the Churchwardens accounts of 1783, where it is referred to as 'The House at the sign of the Gun'. By 1790 it was simply named 'The Gun'. Over the centuries the establishment has also been mentioned in other sources as 'The Pot House' or 'Ale House', suggesting it has long served as a local watering hole. The pub has had at least 27 landlords since 1783, including two women and several named George; two landlords were drowned at nearby Keyhaven. The longest-serving landlord was Arthur Payne, who ran the pub from 1871 until his death in 1909, a tenure of 38 years. More recently, tenants Paul and Jacquie Hill served for 33 years. A popular local legend attributes the pub's name to Colonel Peter Hawker's punt gun, but Hawker did not visit Keyhaven until 1814, 24 years after the first records naming the building as 'The Gun', so the name more likely derives from a signpost for Hurst Castle that featured a gun and stood in front of the building. Today The Gun Inn operates as a food-led pub, offering a menu of good food and drinks, with a warm welcome. It provides a snack menu daily and accepts table bookings. The pub also hosts functions and maintains a newsletter for customers. Its website highlights its history, food and drink offerings, and function services. The Gun remains a notable hospitality venue in the New Forest area, combining a rich heritage with modern pub dining.

The Gun Public House, also known as The Gun Inn, is a historic pub in Keyhaven, a village in the New Forest district of Hampshire, England. The site is thought to have had a dwelling since the 1600s, but the earliest tangible reference appears in the Churchwardens accounts of 1783, where the property is called 'The House at the sign of the Gun'. By 1790, it was simply known as 'The Gun'. Other historical sources refer to it as 'The Pot House' or 'Ale House', indicating its long-standing role as a local inn. Since 1783, at least 27 landlords have been recorded. Among them, two were drowned at Keyhaven, five were named George, and two were women. Most served for only two to three years. The longest-serving landlord was Arthur Payne, who ran the pub from 1871 until his death in 1909, a remarkable 38 years. The most recent tenants, Paul and Jacquie Hill, served for 33 years, the second-longest tenure. A local legend claims the pub was named after Colonel Peter Hawker's punt gun, but Hawker did not visit Keyhaven until 1814, 24 years after the first records naming the building 'The Gun'. It is more likely that the name comes from a signpost for Hurst Castle that featured a gun and stood in front of the building. The pub is a Grade II listed building, recognised for its special architectural and historic interest. Today, The Gun Inn operates as a food-led pub, offering a menu of good food and drinks, a snack menu daily, and facilities for functions. It continues to be a welcoming establishment in the New Forest area.

• 1909

  Death of Arthur Payne, longest-serving landlord.

• 1871

  Arthur Payne becomes landlord, serving until his death in 1909 (38 years).

• 1790

  Referred to simply as 'The Gun'.

• 1783

  Earliest tangible reference in Churchwardens accounts as 'The House at the sign of the Gun'.

• Paul and Jacquie Hill serve as tenants for 33 years.

Historic Grade II listed pub offering good food, good drinks and a warm welcome in Keyhaven, Hampshire.

• Food & Drink

• Snack menu

• Functions

1. 1The Gun Inntheguninn.co.uk
2. 2History — The Gun Inntheguninn.co.uk
3. 3The Gun Public Housewikidata.org