It's been years since I've been here. Back then it was a decent country boozer with good roasts on…read moreSunday. Oh my god it's changed. For the better, of course. Apparently it's been taken over by the folk that run The Snowdrop in Lewes (another quality pub), and formerly the (formerly) excellent Hop Poles in Brighton. They've redone it in a real snazzy steam punk style inside, but for me the highlight is the garden. Chickens free roaming! A wee pig pen! Trees for kids to climb! It all just feel so much fun, and so permissive. I love it The food menu was great too - I had confit of duck, and it was very tasty. There was a whole heap to choose from though, I've added the menu as a photo. We'll definitely be bringing a whole bunch of us back again next time the sun is out

This pub never seems to be very busy and i can't understand why. They do amazing Sunday roasts. The…read morefood is reasonably priced as are the drinks. There is a big function room out the back, where they sometuimes have dance classes, and there is a TV to watch sport if there is any on, or to play pool. It has a nice garden out the back, which is lovely to sit in in the summer, and there is plenty of space inside to sit. OK, its not the most beautifully decorated pub in the local area, but its cheaper than a lot, and the food is great.

Nice enough pub close to Preston Park, with a few TV screens showing Sky Sports. It's on the edge…read moreof 'Preston Village', a small settlement of a few flint-walled cottages now completely engulfed by suburbia, and on the main A23 road into Brighton. The pub itself is spacious, and decorated in that modern style which is fast becoming ubiquitous, of flecked carpet, dark wooden furniture and maroon walls: so not especially atmospheric or interesting, but comfortable enough (and, to be fair, all spotlessly clean - including the Gents' loos). The high point was the real ale selection: Harvey's Sussex Bitter, Hop Back's Summer Lightning, and King & Barnes Sussex Bitter, all well kept. It's quiet at week-ends, but gets busier in the evenings (and very busy for key sporting events, especially if Brighton and Hove Albion FC are playing at home, as the stadium is not far away). Service is friendly and efficient, and prices are pretty reasonable for Brighton. So, not a pub you'd go out of the way for, but fine to pop in, if you are in the area.

The Crown and Anchor is located right at the bottom of Preston Drove on the main A23 road in. Its a…read morereal down to earth pub with staff of equal qualities. It does get extremely busy on football match days (I'm assuming this will change when Falmer is built) but otherwise its a very tranquil place to enjoy a well poured pint and some nice pub grub. There's a car park around the back which a lot of people don't notice, just turn immediately right past the pub and its tucked around the corner. The pub has plenty of space and large TVs for watching sport and also a nice new pool table that you can play during half time. There's a fantastic selection of real ales on the bar and one of my favourite ciders - Weston's Traditional Scrumpy. Enjoy it with their lovely bangers and mash! The Pub also offers B&B rooms above but prices vary due to the time of year and amount of people etc. I'm sure its a lot cheaper and more relaxing than staying in the center of town though. The number 5 bus goes just over the road and can drop you directly into the middle of town in no time.

Went to the better half today for the first time. Its recently been refurbished and it looks great…read more Really nice cosy comfortable atmosphere even thought it was very busy. We booked a few days ago and the earliest time they had available for Sunday roast was 3.30. They serve roasts until 5.30. The service was really good, great selection of quality drinks. I recommend the Bloody Mary with smoked vodka. Couldn't fault the roast, so good and decent portions. Will go back soon to try their cheese board.

Located but a few minutes' walk from Hove seafront the Ref Lion is a wonderful little local pub…read more It's not a gastro pub, it's not an ale place; it's just a warm, friendly watering hole with plenty of attractions. First of these would have to be their pool table which is rarely oversubscribed and only costs 50p per game. They serve a regular selection of wines, ales, beers and spirits and the usual bar snacks. Out the back is a lovely little beer garden with outdoor heaters and comfortable garden furniture. Inside is a Bose sound system, which is used to play a refreshingly good range of music including everything from Fleetwood Mac to Ray Charles. They also serve handmade pizza and offer free internet access. On top of this they also put on regular quiz nights, on Tuesdays general knowledge night begins at 9pm and on the first Thursday of every month there's a great music quiz that begins at 8.30pm. All these factors combined with the fact the landlord and lady are incredibly friendly mean the Red Lion is a perpetual safe bet for any occasion.

The Star is a lovely old 18th century pub, situated at the north end of the High Street in the…read morelovely Sussex village of Steyning. The grade-II listed building has a small room and bar at the front, and a large rambling area at the back, with some small 'snug' rooms off that. The decor, as you might expect, it traditional, with low ceilings, a mixture of stone, wooden and carpeted floors, and lots of exposed beams and brick. But its best feature has to be the garden at the rear, which runs alongside a small stream, and is delightful in summer. There's also a separate children's play area. Real ales include Harvey's Sussex Best Bitter, as well as a Fuller's London Pride and HSB. They have an extensive and slightly pricey food menu, but I've not eaten here. There's a large car park, and it's a short walk from the bus stop with an hourly service to and from Brighton.

This is a spacious place. The decor is clean and seems well looked after. It has Real Ales like…read moreHarveys Best. Food is available. A bit pricey at around £9 for a main. On the menu they claim there is chunky chips with the fish, well look at the picture and judge yourself. The staff are very friendly but don't seem to know much about their products on sale. There are two grardens. One by a streem and the other across the carpark. Both are suitable for children. No worry that they could run across the road.

This small corner pub, just off the London Road shopping area in Brighton, is a real, down-to-earth…read morelocal. The decor is a bit like a traditional front lounge - stripey wallpaper, dado rail, potted plants and prints on the wall, including some unusual ones from the Twentieth Century Society, showing the classic 20th century classic architecture in Brighton. There's a small TV in one corner for sports addicts (Sky Sports), but it doesn't intrude on the rest of the pub. Tied to the local Harvey's brewery, it serves Sussex Best Bitter, Harvey's Mild and Armada, all decently kept. (Sussex Best is one of my favourite pints and comes strongly recommended). Service is friendly, but they don't do food - there are some good chippies and pie shops nearby, though. It's nice for a quiet pint on a week-day evening, but gets busier at week-ends, with mostly older locals.

The Mitre is a small, quiet, traditional pub on Baker Street, just off the London Road…read more The area gets a bad press by people who think Brighton is all about trendiness and newness. London Road, with its cheap cafes, charity shops and old-school pubs just doesn't fit that bill. That's why I like it. The Mitre is generally full of solo drinking men, and it does certainly have the feel of a 'locals pub'. But, it's not unfriendly despite that, and it feels like the kind of place that has been reassuringly the same for years. I wouldn't go out of my way to come here, but there's still something about this place I like.

With its beautiful roof of Norfolk reeds and oak beams, this pub really is a charming place to head…read morefor a nice long lunch on a warm day. There's a huge garden to accommodate large groups and there's plenty of room inside the place too. The staff and owners are really friendly and can't do enough to make you feel welcome. Food wise, I can't recommend the steaks enough here. They source the meat locally and you can tell the difference in the flavour. The Sirloins are fantastic and the chef really knows how to cook it to order (you'd be surprised how many don't. Perfect place to head to on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

The Thatched Inn will always hold a little place in my heart. Aside from the great impression it…read moremakes on pulling into the car park, due to the exceptionally maintained thatched roof, it is the 'pubiness' that makes it a winner. Located on the fringes of Hassocks and overlooking a beautiful stretch of Sussex countryside (great for a post Sunday roast walk to preserve the waistline!), the pub has the advantage of space that Brighton establishments sometimes lack. You would be hard pressed not to find a parking space and the same applies to seating within. The pub provides a cozy bar including a pool table if you fancy stopping by for a swift pint, the 'Keymer' bar for a more relaxed beverage and a large, yet homely dining area if you have come to eat. I will come back to the food in a minute. In the summer, the expansive secluded garden is perfect for children to bomb about, or for those summer nights when the weather is pleasant (of course, a bit hit and miss in this country!). The menu is wide ranging (check the website for a current list of dishes) and offers traditional, quality pub food. A lot of the produce is locally sourced and cooked to order. Sometimes this does mean that you wait a little longer for your meal, but the wait is worth it in such a nice environment. This is a great pub to consider for a Sunday roast, especially if you live in Brighton and have access to a car. They will happily take bookings and also cater for private parties in the dining area. I would have liked to see a wider range of ales on tap, but they do try and keep a local brew or two in rotation. Aside from that, expect your regular range of alcoholic tipples on offer. Many moons ago, in my youth we used to walk to the Thatched from Burgess Hill for our Friday drinking sessions and I would still make that walk! I guess the one negative is the location if you are without transport, but if you do make the pilgrimage from the station, I believe you will be glad that you did.

This place is a fab choice for an inexpensive carafe of red on the long walk back from the centre…read moreof town to Hove. With a lovely interior and heated pavement seating Paris House makes a good backdrop for a date or catch up with friends. I regret to say that I haven't been overly impressed by the food when I've tried it, but there's plenty of eateries in the area to try before heading over for a night cap ;)

Seemed like a nice enough little place - quirky decor, friendly staff, and interesting choice of DJ…read moregiven the setting...! Nothing overly special, but a nice place to go for a drink or two.

Don't you just love a Sunday roast? I do, so off to the award winning Sunday Roasts, family run…read morepub, that is the Cleveland Arms. ⁣ Homemade and locally sourced, the Sunday roast beef accompanied with pumpkin, parsnips, potatoes, carrots and sprouts covered in a cheese sauce, was topped with a massive Yorkshire pudding, all tasting totally divine! ⁣ ⁣ We followed this with a Boozy Sticky Toffee Pudding with salted caramel and vanilla ice cream. I have never tasted a sticky toffee pudding so light. It was definitely extremely more-ish.⁣ ⁣ All enjoyed by the roaring real log fire!⁣ ⁣

The Cleveland is a great little local pub that, despite its relatively posh neighbourhood, has a…read morenice working class feel with none of the gastropub makeover that alot of pubs in this area have undergone. It has one main room with about twenty tables and benches so it has a little bit of fishbowl atmosphere-everyone looking at everyone and eavesdropping- but that's quite nice and neighbourly! The bar staff are very friendly and the prices are reasonable. In the winter they have a small wood fire in one corner that makes a certain table the best spot in the house! They serve really decent pub meals that actually do have a touch of the gastropub- fresh pasta, homemade pie, fresh fish... but at very good prices. There is a back room that you can sit and eat it and that has a tv although it is not really a sport pub. On sunny days there is a terrace overlooking Blaker's Park- very lovely on a warm day with a pint!