There are many ways to become famous, and even more ways to become infamous. Like for example, to reject a Picasso drawing. Which is what happened with The Six Bells pub in the small English village of Chiddingly whose history is forever connected to that incident.
The pub was founded in the 18th century, and its walls are adorned with vintage posters and signs that transport visitors back in time. Some of these relics were already present when Pablo Picasso graced the establishment with his presence in 1950. Despite his international fame as the artist who created the iconic Guernica, in The Six Bells, he was just another patron like the many travelers who passed through this corner of Sussex countryside. When Picasso discovered he had no money in his pocket and offered a small sketch instead -- something he had done on numerous occasions before - the bartender was unwavering, insisting that only cash would suffice, treating Picasso like any other customer.
What would have otherwise been an ordinary visit to The Six Bells became an anecdote, as even a simple doodle on a napkin would have been worth much more than the price of a coffee if it had been drawn by Picasso. As a result, the incident has been featured in various publications, including reviews recommending the pub on platforms like Tripadvisor.
Over 70 years later, Picasso's legacy has returned to the vicinity of the pub. Located just around the corner from The Six Bells, the Millennium Sculpture Garden now houses the UK's first sculpture of the legendary artist from Malaga.
