The notorious Hawkhurst gang enjoyed a drink at the Mermaid, and drew outraged comment when they sat imbibing at the
windows of the pub with their pistols cocked on the tables; but such was the gang's notoriety
that the locals felt powerless to act. The gang maintained their fearsome reputation by a variety of rowdy activities;
carousing in the Red Lion they fired their pistols at the ceiling to intimidate the other drinkers.
Look for the concealed door in the bar, which provided a handy bolt-hole from one of the bedrooms above