PUBS GUIDE - for Brighton & South Downs area

Comments - errors - amendments: adrian.towler@tesco.net

BRIGHTON

& SOUTH

DOWNS

BRANCH

Those marked GBG'09 are in the 2009 Good Beer Guide (about 32 of them). Those 40 marked TRAIL'08 were on our 2008 Summer Real Ale Trail. Towns & Villages are listed in Alphabetical order.

   
Brighton (NB. Hove is listed separately under H)
Barley Mow GBG'09 92 St Georges Road 01273 682259
Spacious pub where there is usually something going on.
Basketmakers Arms GBG'09 TRAIL 08 12 Gloucester Road 01273 689006
A good Fullers local in the North Laines area of Brighton.
Battle of Trafalgar GBG'09 TRAIL 08 34 Guildford Road 01273 327997
Popular traditional pub situated on a steep hill.
Bugle GBG'09 TRAIL 08 24 St Martins Street 01273 607753
A true Irish pub featuring an island bar, unusual for the area. Often crowded, particularly when live music is on.
Caroline of Brunswick TRAIL 08 39 Ditchling Road 01273 624434
One-bar pub opposite the Level, used to be called The Leek & Winkle (before that: Brunswick Arms). Lively atmosphere, with regular music, quizzes etc.
Evening Star GBG'09 TRAIL 08 55-56 Surrey Street 01273 328931 website:www.eveningstarbrighton.co.uk
Original pub of the Dark Star Brewery. Boasts an ever-changing selection of Dark Star beers, plus guests from other independent breweries. A good array of Belgian and German beers both bottled and draught, add to the attraction of this friendly pub, as do the two annual beer festivals (Spring and December) There is regular live music on Sunday nights.
Greys GBG'09 TRAIL 08105 Southover Street 01273 680734
Busy corner pub noted for its Belgian cuisine and Belgian bottled beers. Live music every Monday evening.
Hand in Hand TRAIL 0833 Upper St James’s Street 01273 602521
Reputed to be the smallest pub in Britain with its own tower brewery (i.e. the brewery tap of Kemptown Brewery). Resembling a large front room with a bar and papered with reproductions of old newspapers. The collection of ties, fairy lights and earthenware pots decorating the ceiling provided a comfortable atmosphere. Note the original stone wall.
Lion & Lobster GBG'09 23 Silwood Street 01273 776961
Comfortable community pub, popular with locals and tourists alike.
Lord Nelson GBG'09 TRAIL 08 36 Trafalgar Street 01273 695872 website: www.thelordnelsoninn.co.uk
Harveys. Set in bohemian North Laines area, this welcoming tied house serves the full range of Harvey’s regular and seasonal beers. The Nelson has two small bars; one with a pull-down screen for sporting events; the other leads on to a back room, then on to a conservatory drinking area which doubles as an art galley/function room, displaying works by local artists. A regular on the local CAMRA ale trail.
Mitre Tavern GBG'09 TRAIL 0813 Baker Street 01273 683173
Harveys beers. Comfortable corner pub, handy for London Road shops.
Prestonville GBG'09 TRAIL 08 64 Hamilton Road 01273 701007 www.theprestonvillearms.co.uk
Fullers-Gales. Welcoming corner pub in an 18th Century development. Hard to find, but well worth the effort. Free from electronic games and pool. It hosts a music quiz on Tuesday and one for general knowledge on Sunday. At least four Fullers beers are usually on offer, together with a good choice of well-presented, home-cooked food incl. Sunday lunchtime.
Sir Charles Napier TRAIL 08 50 Southover Street 01273 601413
Gales-Fullers. Superb street-corner local in the Hanover area of the city, replete with old photographs of the local area, maps, bottles golfing and general memorabilia . This includes a letter written by Sir Charles in 1851, two years before his death. A well-attended quiz is held on Sundays, and various theme nights are staged, such as St George’s, St Patrick’s, Chinese New Year, and Beaujolais Nouveau night. Bar snacks are served all day at weekends and good value Sunday lunches are popular. In summer there may be a barbecue in the small enclosed garden.
Station TRAIL 08 1 Hampstead Road 01273 501318
Large single-bar locals' pub, just above Preston Park station, usually with an impressive choice of real ales.
Waggon & Horses TRAIL 08109 Church Street 01273 602752
Single-bar town-centre pub close to the Theatre Royal and North Laine conservation area. Built around 1846 as a gymnasium, it became a pub in 1848. It features wooden floors, wood-panelled walls and a variety of seating, including pavement tables in summer. There is a fruit machine and usually music playing.

Burgess Hill
Watermill GBG'09 TRAIL 08 1 Leylands Road 01444 235517
Free House. Community pub with a single bar, situated in the World’s End area of Burgess Hill near Wivelsfield station. It is a regular on the local CAMRA Ale Trail. The guest beer comes from a southern-based independent brewery, and varies each month. An enclosed garden provides a safe area for families. A pub quiz is held every Thursday evening.

Cuckfield
Ship GBG'09 TRAIL 08 Whitemans Green (N. of main village) 01444 413219
Free House. Single-bar village local close to Haywards Heath rugby club. The numerous handpumps are not used as all the real ales are gravity dispensed from the cool room behind the bar. This family-run free house has a cosy interior furnished with sofas. Good food is served and there is a no-smoking dining area. A games room can be found at the rear.

Five Ash Down
Pig & Butcher (was Fireman's Arms) TRAIL 08 (between A26 & A272) 01825 732191
Harveys. Was run by a steam engine enthusiast. Now bought by Harveys. (A traction engine rally is held every January?)

Glynde
Trevor Arms GBG'09 TRAIL 08The Street 01273 858208
Harveys. Conveniently located close to Glynde railway station, this multi-roomed village pub lies in a great walking area. The Trevor has an excellent menu for both adults and children. The world-famous Glyndebourne Opera House is within comfortable walking distance, and it is not unknown for members of the orchestra to play on a summer Sunday in the pub’s extensive garden.

Henfield
Plough GBG'09 TRAIL 08 High Street 01273 492280
Free House. The small façade belies two bars of different appearances. The restaurant features Tapas menu.

Hove
Downsman GBG'09 TRAIL 08189 Hangleton Way. 01273 711301
Free House. Harvey's Best Bitter; Guest beers. Comfortable two-bar estate pub with keen landlord and landlady.
Neptune Inn GBG'09 TRAIL 0810 Victoria Terrace, Kingsway 01273 736390
Free House; often Harveys & Dark Star feature. One-bar local popular with the more mature age group. On 'seafront' road not far from the King Alfred Leisure Centre.

Isfield
Laughing Fish TRAIL 08 Station Road 01825 750349
Greene King. Victorian pub in small village, situated next to the Lavender Line heritage railway. The garden has a patio and pergola. Good home made food is served. Guest beers tend to feature from Thursday onwards.

Keymer
Greyhound Inn GBG'09 TRAIL 08 Keymer Road 01273 842645
Traditional village pub of two bars; the lounge bar leads to the restaurant area added at the back, and garden. The main features of this bar are the panelled walls, inglenook and beamed ceiling, festooned with ceramic beer and beverage mugs. The smaller public bar is also panelled, displaying action photographs of greyhound meetings. Well behaved children are allowed to stay until 9pm. Evening meals are served Tuesday-Saturday.

Lewes
Black Horse TRAIL 08 55 Western Road 01273 473653
Greene King. This former coaching inn features contrasting bars. The public has a fascinating collection of old photographs, while the smaller lounge is a quiet oasis of calm.
Brewers Arms GBG'09 TRAIL 08 91 High Street 01273 479475
Free House. This celebrated pub situated in the historic High Street has two contrasting bars. The larger public bar has pool table and a large screen satellite TV, while the more sedate and plush, no-smoking front bar features old photographs and an architect's drawing of the pub from days gone by. Outside the pub, spot the Page & Overton ceramic plaques revealing one of the pub's former owners. Biddenden cider is served on handpump; the guest beers come from small independent brewers. This site has been a pub since 1540, and there is a list of landlords since 1744.
Dorset Arms GBG'09 TRAIL 08 22 Malling Street 01273 477110
Harveys. Comfortable pub close to Harveys brewery.
Elephant & Castle GBG'09 TRAIL 08 White Hill 01273 473797
Free House. Built in 1838 for the former Southdowns and East Grinstead Brewery as a hotel on the new approach to Lewes, the Elephant & Castle is now a spacious pub with plain wooden floors, long tables and benches. It has been the HQ of the Commercial Square Bonfire Society since the early 1850's. The home-made organic 'Eliburgers' are a house speciality in this child- and dog-friendly establishment. Note the eclectic wall decorations.
Gardeners Arms GBG'09 TRAIL 08 46 Cliffe High Street 01273 474808
A deservedly popular Free House stocking up to four beers and a cider on handpump. It is situated up the street from Harvey's Brewery shop, near the River Ouse, which has caused problems in the past, see photographs on the panelled walls. Visitors are made welcome and soon find themselves feeling at home and involved in conversation.
John Harvey Tavern TRAIL 08 Bear Lane 01273 486107
Harvey's 'brewery tap'. A restored building on the site of the stables of the old Bear Hotel, which burnt down in 1918. Next door was the Bear Brewery, where John Harvey first brewed in the 1820s.
Lewes Arms GBG'09 TRAIL 08 Mount Place 01273 473152
Fullers, guest usually Harveys. Historic 'unspoiled' curved-fronted pub built into the castle ramparts. Features include the tiny front bar and rear patio accessible via the stairs. The upstairs function room is used by many societies including a drama group. The pub holds many charity fundraising events, including the world pea throwing championships. Well-behaved children are welcome until 8pm in the games room where darts and the Sussex pub game Toad-in-the-Hole can be played.

Lindfield
Red Lion GBG'09 High Street 01444 487000
This mainly locals' pub still retains many different and distinct areas for eating and drinking. A wood burning stove is featured. There is a large family room and spacious garden.
Stand Up Inn GBG'09 TRAIL 08 47 High Street 01444 482995
Dark Star beers. Following acquisition by Dark Star Brewery, this small, friendly free house with the remains of a long disused brewery at the rear has reverted to its original name.

Mockbridge
Bull Inn TRAIL 08 London Road 01273 422232
Usually four beers incl. Fullers & Harveys available; a large, pleasant country pub with bric-a-brac everywhere and excellent predominately Italian food. A skittle alley available for hire and there is a camp site nearby.

Newhaven
Jolly Boatman GBG'09 TRAIL 08 133-135 Lewes Road
This street corner pub is popular amongst the locals and draws a good, regular clientele. An Ex-Harvey's pub, now a Free House. It fields football and darts teams; pool and cribbage are also played here. The current real ales are displayed on a blackboard, showing ABV and price. A good basic pub. Feed the ducks and swans on the amenity area opposite.

Newick
Royal Oak GBG'09 1 Church Road 01825 722506
Mainly Harveys. A 15th Century oak beamed pub with exposed wattle and daub panel between the bars. The base for the local cricket club.

Peacehaven - Telscombe Tavern GBG'09 closed.

Portslade
Stanley Arms GBG'09 TRAIL 08 47 Wolseley Road 01273 701590
Our Branch Pub of the year 2008, and 2007 and 2003...
Free House. Intimate, friendly back-street local, showcasing real ales from three small and micro-breweries, as well as a choice of 10 bottled Belgian beers and Biddenden cider. It hosts popular beer festivals in February and September. A large-screen plasma TV shows major sporting events, and live music is performed in the main bar twice a month. At the rear is a small garden, where barbecues are offered in Summer.

Ringmer
Cock Inn TRAIL 08 Uckfield Road 01273 812040
Attractive oak beamed bar/restaurant with extensive bar menu.

Rodmell
Abergavenny Arms GBG'09 Newhaven Road 01273 472416
Free House. CLOSED 1 Jan 09

Scaynes Hill
Sloop TRAIL 08 Sloop Lane 01444 831219
Greene King. Off the beaten track, the Sloop lies near the river and now-defunct canal that brought bricks for the Balcombe railway viaduct. The Bluebell Railway is nearby. Low-ceiling cottages were converted into a pub in 1815. The Sloop is food-oriented but is proud of its real ales; a seasonal brew is usually available sometimes a guest as well. The stylish menu is cut above normal pub fare. In July 10-day music and drinking festival is staged.

Seaford
Seven Sisters GBG'09 Alfriston Road 01323 896548
Free House, mainly Fuller’s; Harveys; Shepherd Neame. 1930s Art Deco pub with timber panelling and original light fittings. Built in expectation of a main road which did not materialise. The history may be found on the back of the menu? or photos on wall.

Shoreham-by-Sea
Buckingham Arms GBG'09 TRAIL 08 35-37 Brunswick Road 01273 453660
Free House. Superb town pub next to the station. The Buckingham boasts 11 handpumps with up to six changing guest beers, mainly from micros and smaller breweries, plus an occasional cider at the back of the bar. The pub hosts monthly live music and popular beer and cider festivals in February and August each year. The L-shaped bar leads on to a pleasant patio garden, which is a suntrap in the summer. Good food is served.
Duke of Wellington GBG'09 TRAIL 08 368 Brighton Road.
Dark Star beers. Refurbished over Feb-April 07. Real Cider. Community local built in the late 1920’s with stained glass windows and other features dating from ownership by Kemp Town Brewery. Charity fund raising events and regular live music are held.
Red Lion Inn GBG'09 TRAIL 08 Old Shoreham Road 01273 453171
Free House. Situated at the western end of the Old Shoreham Road, this 16th Century former coaching inn offers five different guest beers every week and a good choice of food. There is a garden at the back, while the front patio overlooks the River Adur and the old toll bridge. Home to the Adur Beer Festival at Easter and a smaller one in September to coincide with the Shoreham Air Show. The pub is reputedly haunted by a ghost called George, an unfortunate soul hanged, drawn and quartered; his coffin lay on tables in the bar.

Southwick
Romans TRAIL 08 Manor Hall Road 01273 592147
Free House. Red-brick, 1930’s public house, comprising two large bars; one has traditional pub games, while the other is a quieter, more spacious area with plenty of comfortable seating. A small, no-smoking restaurant is to one side. The large garden houses an aviary with a variety of small birds. An annual beer festival is held in spring. Roman remains were found nearby. Close to the leisure centre and football club.

Uckfield
Alma Arms GBG'09 TRAIL 08 Framfield Road 01825 762232
Harveys. Superb town local offering the full Harveys range, and is a past winner of a local Community Pub of the Year award.

Whiteman's Green – see Cuckfield

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