please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
We had lunch here on a Saturday recently. We went there because the Golden Galleon at nearby Exceat Bridge was heaving with people. There were tables available at the Beachy Head so we chose one and sat down. I didn't know whether it was full table service, or like its sister pub in the Vintage Inns chain mentioned above, you had to go to the bar to order. As it happens there was a sign at the entrance saying to wait there to be seated, but the sign was hidden under a table and we didn't see it until we were leaving!
So, at the bar I asked a question about the detailed ingredients of two dishes on the table d'hote menu - received a quick answer from the bar staff member who said to sit and he'd come for our order. He did come, with the Harvey's Sussex Bitter pints I'd ordered, and he took our order for two servings of one of the dishes I had enquired about and said he'd start a tab for us. While we waited it was apparent that some dispute had happened over an order at a nearby table - dark looks were in evidence and the waiter was apologising. Meanwhile I went on the hunt for cutlery as the meagre supply comprising three forks and a knife at our table was looking a little 'tired'. A pair of sets was found on an adjacent vacant table, but I could find one napkin only - we opted to share! Then our order arrived. Incorrect inasmuch as there was one plate of what we'd asked for and one of the other dish I had asked about but not ordered. As this was a different waiter I was impressed that he picked up on our dismay as fast as he did purely from our expressions. To cut the long story down, he left one plate and scurried off promising a swift replacement for the wrong one. I sat and I watched by companion eat. And I waited...
After an inordinate time my lunch arrived with this second waiter apologising and promising that the bill would be voided. This seemed generous and I felt slightly awkward that such a grand gesture would result from a fairly simple error. It also occurred to me that it might be difficult when we came to leave if this chap was not to be found. As it happens he was busy and our original waiter made the fatal error of approaching and asking if all had been well when we went to the till. After I patiently explained what had happened he, too, said the bill would be voided and proceeded to look on the screen in order to cancel it. After an embarrassed look he admitted he hadn't even opened a tab and we could have simply walked out anyway! This was a classic self-adjusting cock-up!
On the positive side, no matter how much I offered to pay at least for the beer (very good it was too) he declined. The food had been fine especially at the table d'hote price, and the staff friendly and prepared to admit the error with no fuss at all. We shall return but we'll make certain that the order is fully understood! Not a bad place but it needs to tighten procedures; especially as it wasn't particularly busy at the time.
motco - 18 Nov 2013 16:45 |
Considering its location and the potential for this to be a tourist trap, this pub manages to cater well for drinkers with several good beers available. Better than I thought it would be!
Floyd - 27 Aug 2012 13:42 |
We went on a Sunday afternoon in January, during a walk which took in Beachy Head. The first thing I noticed was how dark it is in there - it was so hard to see anything that we drank outside even though it was freezing. The second thing was how hard-pressed the bar staff were - there were only two that I could seein a pub that was absolutely jammed, and as a result, service was bad and customers were cross and tetchy. The only reason I'd go back is for a pint halfway through a walk. Nothing I saw made me want to eat there - I like to see what I'm eating. Decent pint of Addnams Gunhill on pump.
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Well this is weird. We had lunch here last Saturday and for an M & B we were actually quite impressed. Staff were friendly and attentive (despite being busy the barman brought my drink to the table). There was full table service - none of that lining up for a wooden spoon rubbish and the food wasn't at all bad. It certainly confirms what I said before but may also point to an inconsistancy of service which in the past has been the bain of M and B's establishments. I'de certainly be happy to eat there again.
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My wife insisted I go here even though I said "Tourist trap will be crap" So we braved this large dark pub with good views for the lucky few with window views, and I definitly think it exceded by presumption of crapliness into a new world of dog turderm extreme, an hour for the food to arrive , mine the fish pie with bits of fish caught in the triassic period and the vegetables arrived looking pitiful , and im sure I heard a little cry from them of "Water water" they were dryer than that guy from Ice cold in Alex. The beer was from Adams and a Brentwood blonde which was duller than the Essex girls.
My wife said under bited lips " you were right" and then said " no wonder people jump from here , they probably had to eat that garbage"
M&B hang your heads in shame!
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Fantastic location for a pub. A bit dark when you walk in.
A long bar, with plenty of room, but it appears not enough staff when the coach-load of 'grockles' arrives!
I was lucky and walked straight up to the bar and got served, but when i took my drinks the nice looking young bar girl ignored the chap next to me who'd been waiting patiently! Strange, i thought eyesight was a necessity for bar staff...!
Got a nice seat by a window (and there are a few) and over-heard the older lady on a nearby table say "They don't have any sherry, nor any Worcester sauce! What sort of a pub is this...!!" Manager to note. TJ
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I visit this place quite regularly. All the negative comments are true, mainly down to the management refusing to employ sufficent staff. Having said that, I just can't help liking the place. It is one of the very few pubs in East Sussex where you can have a pint and look at the sea. On a fine day, the views overcome almost all of the shortcomings. I even like the grubby little windows where I have passed several hours watching sunsets or rain. Food; nothing to add on previous comments, ale? just the usual but somtimes you can spot a rarity: Kipling's South Seas? If you're passing drop in if its not crushingly busy. Enjoy a pint and console the hard working staff. Its not their fault.
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the reviews of this place seem a bit harsh. yes, it's a bit dark in there, but it is romantically-lit in some places, and brilliantly lit nearer the windows. it's always going to seem dark, coming in from outside there. fish and chips was the biggest fish i've ever seen. beer was okay, chips were nice. service bit too slow, and this wasn't a busy day. but there are places to eat and drink outside if you don't like it in. better than people are saying.
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Bearing in mind the location, this place could/should be fantastic....but it is the pits, food awful..beer awful..is there anyplace worse than this...I doubt it
Unfortunately you cant give negative scores on this site!
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Considering this is a main tourist spot, this establishment should be ashamed of itself. Customers three deep waiting to get served with many giving up and walking out. Something is seriously wrong here and it reflects poorly on the town with visitors. Shocking service.
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Dark and dingy entrance - this place is a shambles. Visited yesterday lunchtime and the place was like a riot. The queues for were three deep and there were only two staff. Groups of people had been waiting for over 20 minutes and others left in droves. There is something seriously wrong here. The manager of landlord needs shooting. Why isn't there a separate queue for food and one for drink. Avoid at all costs.
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I agree with an earlier review - the phenomenally hard working and young staff are rushed off their feet, but with only two behind the bar the waits for drinks were long...after I'd waited about 20 minutes someone was served before me as soon as he came to the bar, i deigned to point out this was unfair only to have a sultry cock-sure bar girl laugh at me and say "but he's my Dad" - not a friendly place at all, no atmosphere, the staff seemed unhappy and miserable, reminded me of a Weatherspoons...having said that the sunday lunch was good and reasonably priced.
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The sanity of a pub near a suicide spot is odd. Great location for views mind you.
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Superb location, with lovely views from the outside tables and a nice breeze and view inside near the windows too. Good cold beer, which was very welcome! Had the sunday roast and was very impressed, both pork and lamb well cooked. Delicious food, plenty of it and very good value for money at �7.50 or something like that. Staff were friendly and helpful. Cannot fault it at all.
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Location, location, location. Average pint of Tiger...welcome though after a long climb.
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It used to be a Brewers Fayre but is now an M & B Vintage Inn so at least thats an improvement. (Actually changing from Brewers Fayre to a chemical weapon test site would have been an improvement but thats bye the bye.) Anyway, food, beer and service are about par for the M & B course but the place could do with a refurb and it would have been better had the heating been turned on. Incidently don't go in after a hard day and sit in the corner nursing a drink or you might be mistaken for a jumper.
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My partner and I made a special trip for lunch having walked from Eastbourne. Relieved to be at destination after a 2 hr walk and climb up that steep hill. Unfortunately, place was understaffed for a Bank Holiday and had to wait to order drinks. Then another long wait to order food. Food took 45 minutes to arrive and then I was given the wrong item, they didn't bring out condiments or item missing from my order. Very disappointing. Quality of food not very good. Will only go there for the cold beer.
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popped in here this Saturday after walking the cliffs, it's a great location and the views are great, it's set up purly for the passing trade so doesn't have to try to hard to attract a steady stream of customers, having said that the pint of Spitfire and Harveys I tried were both very good, the service was okay but the fish and chips we had wasn't up to much, but was alright, and I'd use it again as a stop off for a beer on a hike over the downs, I'd find somewhere else to eat though
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I visit quite a few Vintage Inns especially in the London Home Counties, where I live.
I often go down to the S.Coast and visit the Golden Galleon at/near Seaford, Sussex.
However recently and belatedly I discovered that the Beach Head was now a Vintage Inn and we went there for a change.
My first impressions weren't very favourable and the place seemed dingy and need of a makeover or refurbishment. The windows affording excellent views of the Chalk downs were murky, dirty and in need of replacement in all probability. The staff behind the bar seemed a bit understaffed and overwhelmed and there was no defined area for ordering food rather than drink.
Despite this, our food came quite promptly and the Cob Salad was very acceptable however our views out of those grubby windows was disappointing.
Then came the toilets! Probably the worst I've seen in any Vintage Inn. Some tap heads were missing and the hand dryer was not functioning.
I could go on but I think that you must get the general idea of my experience. Not one of your better venues and this is so surprising considering its flagship position right up there on beutiful Beach Head.
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A ghastly, formulaic warehouse.
If you are thinking of taking that final walk of destiny - (cliffs are just over the road) then this would potentially spur you on to make it...
Like a Wetherspoons, only worse.
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After a lengthy slog up the hill from Eastbourne to the cliffs of Beachy Head, it was something of a 'Holy Grail' moment to see a pub appear over the horizon. Of course, I should have twigged that this pub, far from the nearest settlement, is a tourist trap of the grimmest kind.
Impressions of an initially agreable interior and decent enough ale selection (Harvey's, Spitfire, Landlord) are soon tempered by realising that the place doesn't appear to have been cleaned in ages and that your beer has been poured well short of a pint.
An extensive and tempting food menu nearly led to us grabbing a bite to eat, but we were put off by overhearing a number of customers complaining about their meals.
Complacency reigns supreme here. They know that there will always be a steady stream of tourists who can't resist a pint overlooking he sea, so they've stopped trying.
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Had a spur of the moment visit here, on the recommendation of someone who lives in the area. Hadn't read the reviews, but wasn't expecting much due to the tourist location. Got served straight away at the bar with a decent pint of Harveys, and although it was busy, we managed to find a table for six in the restaurant area. The menu seemed more varied than other M&B pubs, and everyone actually liked the food! All the staff were friendly, and we had no trouble ordering food and a variety of drinks. Then I came home and read the reviews! I don't know if there has been a recent management/staff change, but the place does seem better than previous reviews suggest - maybe I just got lucky.
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This pub is shocking! Visited it back in March 2007 when it had been refurbished! The Service and food was great back then! The manager was really accomodating and the staff were so friendly. Visited for my second time the other day. New management I think no manager appeared anywhere. Dissapointed so wont be going back. Service was poor, staff were ok and food was also poor. Toilets were disgusting and female manager present looked bored to death and disinterested in the comments i passed! Shame it used to be a lovely pub!
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Now a Vintage Inn and a particularly hopeless example for this dire M&B brand. 1pm on a routine dull Sunday lunchtime and they're completely out of their depth, quoting 45 minutes to reheat the factory produced meals, and that's once you've waited for what seems like for ever to get served at the bar. Even getting a cup of coffee was difficult, requiring someone to go out and clear up some tables and wash some cups up. The one saving grace was the Harvey's best, which was in reasonable condition.
This place, and so many others like it, is extraordinary popular with the Daily Mail reading classes taking their in-laws out for lunch. Indeed for them it's the pinnacle of dining out. It only goes to show that there's no accounting for taste.
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Like the pub its self beautiful views the food was nice i had the hunters chicken is was handsome with garlic mash and gravy lovely. But why why why is it so sloooooow to get a drink that makes you want to jump of itself.
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Went there yesterday. It was hot and BH was full of tourists. Considering the large, rapid turnover, the food was ok. Standard pub fare and nothing fancy but reasonable and at a good price.
You can wait a little while to get served a drink though.
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I don't recommend them selling alcohol at a suicide spot to be honest. so sadly a 0/10
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Considering its tourist trap location I was amazed at how cheap the drinks were here. Didn't eat but the toilets were clean on our visit.
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my veggie pie was cold the potoes was nice and veggies my dads dinner was bad the tolets was dirty there was sick all in the tolets both disablend and womens tolets when we visted we been to the pub once for a meal me mum dad and bf sam dont think we return it disapoonted me cause location was beatuful staff was friendly food tolets crap
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The food here is really, really bad!! Order the veggie meal and got a bowl of fried onions. Asked them to change it and they bought out something half cooked. We were the only people in there so obviously words getting round about their culinary skills.
anonymous - 12 Jul 2007 03:57 |
Still very much a Brewers Fayre at heart!
Indifferent food and indifferent service from one of the greatest spots on the South Coast.
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I have been going to this pub on and off for 12 years. It was a brewers fayre and in recent years it had gone down hill and i had stopped going, but we went a week or so ago for sunday lunch. It was very busy, but we did not have to wait long, staff were polite and friendly. the food was the best its ever been, not a brewers fayre anymore... the roast beef was yummy! i would recommend and will start going back again.
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Ignore the comments of the poster below. There is nothing wrong with this pub - the staff are fantastic, very friendly. The food is standard brewers fayre nosh - enough said. You get what you pay for! If I wanted something special I wouldnt got to a Brewers Fayre!! The state of the loos yes is not good but I blame the parents of the kids when I was there today running around in there stuffing toilet paper in the sinks. What a disgrace - what chance do the staff have when they are checked and then the kids go back in and do the same again? We are regular users and have never had any problem with the service at any given time, busy or quiet. I think the place closes down for 6 weeks from this week for a major refurb and there isnt going to be any kids play areas or menus which is a good thing. The more pubs without the kids the better in my opinion!
anonymous - 19 Feb 2007 00:23 |
Nowhere near as good as it used to be. In summer, the place is packed - and unfortunately, the state of the loos often reflects this! In winter, the place is almost deserted of an evening and it's hard to know how they keep going. The food is OK - but nothing special, and the service is usually less than special, even on a quiet night! It's rather a shame as the setting is absolutely superb...
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Been here a couple of times after the South Downs Cycle trip. You'll basically be knackered if you've done the ride so this will be the only real place to eat or get a drink. Actually a decent choice of drinks, you are unlikely to be stuck for sitting space. But its an extremely busy area because of its location as you would expect
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Average to poor beer but if you have walked (or even driven) up you will welcome it). Service pretty second rate but you expect that in a faceless place like this. Real complaint was the food - my girlfriend ordered a caesar salad and it came back (and I kid you not) with probably half a pound of grated cheddar on it. We complained only to be told they had run out of parmesan so the "chef" had improvised. In the end it was all inedible but on reflection, gievn how filthy the place was, that was probably a good thing!
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Went to The Beachy Head for its carvery after a lovely day around the cliffs. The owner told us carvery had finished but he would be able to serve us a plated roast, great, except when it was served the food was obviously the left overs..dried up packet stuffing, frozen peas and sweetcorn, fatty pork, no sauces. They also started vacuuming the restaurant whilst we were there, if the place was shut, they should have said so. We left half our meal, and when he charged us full carvery price I complained politely, but he wouldn't budge. So, unhappily I paid. There were 4 other people who had been waiting for over an hour to be served, I said quiety to them that they shouldn't bother, he and his wife went mad, shouting at us and as we left he even insulted the way I was dressed! I have travelled extensively round the world, and never have I been treated so badly. Unfortunately this pub prob exists on tourist custom,no locals bother with the place. No wonder us brits have a reputation for horrid food, when places like this sell overpriced, poor quality food. To all foreign visitors, please go elsewhere, not all our cuisine is as bad as this, this aging pub is in desperate need of renovation with its filthy toilets, rude owners and poor food, and lets the beautiful East Sussex down.
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Absolutely massive place, cavernous. A welcome refuge after a leg busting trek up the Downs to Beachy Head, but not a place I'd go out of my way to go to otherwise. Food OK if a little overpriced. Not too cosy, but if it's raining outside and you're gagging for a pint after a hard walk, beggars can't be choosers :)
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