HALF A DOZEN PUBS IN EVERY GBG COUNTY. No. 42 – EAST SUSSEX

I’ll never understand why Sussex gets divided between East and West in the GBG; they don’t split Lincolnshire and that’s a far bigger county. But it makes the pinking in easier, so I’ll let it go.

The east is the better half, unless you’re micro mad, in which case Worthing may sway your views.

It was hard narrowing it down to a starting five, omitting Crowborough, St Leonards, Hailsham and Pooh Corner.

But I couldn’t leave out Lewes,

Lewes – Lansdown Arms

where the economy is based on Harvey’s and the resale of Tiger Tim Annuals.

Picking one pub is tricky, and the Lansdown isn’t even a Harvey’s house,

but it was a joy, and that tree gives it a “Combermere Arms” feel you don’t expect.

“Actually, apart from the accents and the preference for rugby over football it wasn’t that dissimilar to Wolves’ finest, with displaced smokers coming and going and students and Old Boys mingling.“

A few years back I though Brighton was getting a bit too crafty with its Crafts and Bierhaus and Taps entering the Guide, but post Covid the new entries have been great.

And the highlights of a trip to our top southern seaside town (sorry, Bognor) remain penny arcades, shingle, and Grubbs bargain burgers.

And for the pub ?

Brighton – Basketmakers Arms

Perhaps the best place in the world, after the Parcel Yard, for that pre-train ESB.

Gorgeous, inside and out, with the seating SO good no-one was clogging up the bar.

“Perhaps it’s just that golden hour between 4 and 5 where pubs in cosmopolitan cities come alive, just before the food takes over a bit.”

“Rarely have I heard such a variety of chat in a pub, and none of it about beer.

Which is what makes a great pub.“

The next pick is even easier.

Rye – Ypres Castle

This is the closest Guide pub to where Mrs RM bought her caravan 2 years ago, and I applaud her choice.

The only slight problem with the Ypres is that it’s so good I can never stay for just the two pints, particularly with those pork pies to mop up the beer and cider (never mix them, folks),

But that’s not Jeff’s fault. Or his wonderful team’s, who are a credit to him.

Next up is a Harvey’s classic Mrs RM knows from when her uncle lived in Eastbourne Old Town, which I forgot about till Joan and Dave dragged us there in 2022. They’re like that.

Eastbourne – Lamb

Dave even took his cap off to be polite in a Proper Pub.

“What I love about the Lamb is how pubby it is on a Summer Sunday. Space for roast eaters, but mainly drinkers, and loads of pints.“

Really good Harvey’s too, in great seating.

Sadly, BRAPA didn’t fall down the famous well on his visit. That would have made a good blog.

I’m not sure if Simon has made my last pick, which I think is one of the least easy to reach in this chapter, but then walking 3 hours to a pub in a downpour from Uckfield is what ticking the GBG is all about. Oh, and 6pm opening, too.

Hadlow Down – New Inn

One of the unspoilt, basic, classics. Even if it isn’t on RW Coe’s list, or in fact appear on anyone’s list.

I wrote “This is a simpler version of Newton’s Queen’s Head (no food here except crisps and nuts) and close in feel to similar late GBG bloomer the Queen’s Arms in Cowden Pound. What is it with Queens ?”

The best Harvey’s outside of Hailsham. And outside loos.

In a pretty pub in a pretty village. Really, what more could you ever want.

Over to you for a sixth pick. I couldn’t choose just one in Hastings, so you’ll have to.

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Published by retiredmartin

Retired NHS, doing long walks around UK and the world to record the great bits. Focused on Good Beer Guide pubs and live music.

18 thoughts on “HALF A DOZEN PUBS IN EVERY GBG COUNTY. No. 42 – EAST SUSSEX”

  1. I’ve stayed in the Lamb, known the Basketmakers over decades but only walked past the Lansdown a few times between the railway station and the Harveys pubs.

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  2. Interesting, prefer the Snowdrop to the Lansdown but couldn’t agree more about the Ypres Castle. Think it took 4 and a half hours to cycle there from Horsham.

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      1. This trend, of evening opening only for rural pubs, is one of concern to those of us who enjoy exploring the countryside on foot, or by bus.

        It’s a vicious circle of falling lunchtime trade and lack of opportunities to visit during the day, combined with the old story of use it, or lose it.

        In the case of the New Inn, I shall persuade Matthew to drive me there, once the evenings start becoming lighter again. Failing that, I shall drive there myself.

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  5. “I’ll never understand why Sussex gets divided between East and West”.

    Blame Ted Heath whose local government reforms of the early seventies created separate administrative counties. I’m sure that the continuing and unnecessary division of their dukedom must have been one of the things which prompted Harry and Meghan’s decision to decamp to southern California.

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      4. Peterborough CAMRA’s empire stretches into Northants, Lincs, Leics and Rutland, so might require some delicate boundary renegotiation and we’ve seen how successful that is in Bexley at the moment !

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    2. Matthew,
      Either that or
      .bing.com/search?q=youtube+it+never+rains+in+southern+california&form=ANNTH1&refig=06717371F68C4DEEA3AB98E916CEE254&pc=HCTS&sp=1&ghc=1&lq=0&qs=SC&pq=you+tube+it+never&sc=10-17&cvid=06717371f68c4deea3ab98e916cee254

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