The Ounce & Ivy Bush

The Ounce & Ivy Bush recalls one of East Grinstead's former inns, and the coat of arms of the Sackville family, which were leading local landowners.

The closure of the Dorset's Head allowed the Cat inn, also on High Street, to change its name to the Dorset Arms. The Cat had been called The Ounce & Ivy Bush. An ounce is a species of wild cat and an ivy bush was a symbol used to denote a high-class inn. Two cats support the coat of arms of the Sackvilles. Robert Sackville, second earl of Dorset, founded Sackville College almshouses, on High Street, in 1605. The college is East Grinstead's most important historic building.