Johns Cross Inn, Robertsbridgeback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Currently for auction.
Sold with planning permission to convert into two houses......so may not survive as a pub for much longer.
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My wife and I stopped at this characteristic inn one Thursday evening after being informed by another hostelry that they were not serving food past 7.30 pm. We had driven past the Johns Cross many times but never stopped there.
Wow what we have been missing. As we entered there were a few locals enjoying an end of day pint after work and all of them said hello as we entered. The bar tender we'd equally friendly and I ordered a pint of Harvey's which came up excellent. It is evident that the ale in this house is very well kept.
We ordered a meal which was served promptly and looked and tasted excellent.
We will definitely visit this ale house again as we were made to feel very welcome by both staff and customers.
We are considering moving from London to a quieter locale and the Johns Cross Inn has made Robertsbridge a serious contender for us to settle in.
Well worth a stop when passing on the A21
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This pub changed hands just over a year ago and is now run by a very friendly couple who do their utmost to make everyone feel welcome.
I am slightly biased as this is my local - i recently moved into the area myself - it has always been my dream to have a pub where the landlord is pulling my pint as i walk thru the door - this happened!
The pub has Harveys as its Regular bitter - and then Dave tries to have 2 other Guest Beers on the go. The pub also does excellent pub grub! and has a dedicated Dining area too.
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I'm an American and I've noticed that the British are spoiled on their pub offerings. A "pub" in America is a sports bar with many TVs and a few shamrocks on the decor. So, when you come into a place with history past 1776 it's impressive for an American that is... Needless to say while I was in the UK, I did visit many pubs but kept coming back to John's Cross. The owners were nice people and they let me try my first room temp beer on the house... needless to say I'm American and I like mine cold. Anyway the food was always great and my girlfriend who is British thought it was a great place as well. Some have said the decor is a miss match for the place... what are they expecting medieval times? I thought the furniture was great. I'm 6' 7 and like a good seat and they had plenty. So if you are in the mood for honest pub food from great people stop by Johns Cross Inn. The food is just good and consistent and I should know I went there 4 times. The view to the back of the place is amazing and I've recommended it to all my friends here in the states when they travel to that region and when I'm back I'll stop in again and again and hope to find the same people and same good food and good times.
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Stopped in here on my way back from the painful Hastings Marathon in December 2008. Two casks are normally offered, but only one on - but it's my favourite: Harvey's!
I've often considered stopping here as it looks like a traditional old pub from the outside. The inside, however, is not what one would expect, and it's a matter of personal taste as to how much one will enjoy the oddity of the place. There are two bars and a dining room. The bar on the right is modern with conservatory furniture, and the experience sits awkwardly in a 16th century Inn. Some people might appreciate the tackiness and bad taste, the dirt and neglect, and I do like to give credit for unusual and quirky places, but this one didn't work for me, and I felt uncomfortable. Through the bar one could see the more traditional and deserted lounge.
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Friendly welcome and wonderful views from the garden. Strange, modernistic decor that doesn't really fit but the management are truly trying their best and it shows. Four real ales but sadly the Hook Norton AD303 had turned sour. The staff were so nice I didn't have the heart to take it back.
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An interesting old building done out in a very individual style. Drinkers are directed to a small gaudy games room with uncomfortable chairs, while the more interesting lounge is largely for diners. The pub is covered in artwork of a rather bizarre nature. 2 ales on offer (Abbott and Harveys. The garden sign says 'welcome to paradise' but I expect paradise is better cared for than this dilapidated area, though there are good views.
Floyd - 15 Apr 2008 15:21 |
The Johns Cross Inn appears to be a bit of a labour of love for Bob, its long standing charismatic landlord who doubles the pub up as a showcase for his impressive artwork (he has an art workshop and signwriting business in the old function room behind the pub). The weatherboarded building dates from the early 16th century and has quite a history, serving not only as an inn but also as an army recruitment centre, mail coach collection point and a customs & excise office. It is quite isolated and probably relies mainly on passing traffic and diners although I wouldn�t say there is a large emphasis on dining facilities like many country pubs. It does however unofficially boast the UK�s smallest pub dining room, a small room containing 1 table and an old bread baking kiln. As you would expect, the ceilings are low and beamed and the old fireplaces must have beckoned in many a weary traveler over the centuries. The late 18th century extension now houses a games room. It is however the murals and paintings that draw the immediate attention, maybe a bit overpowering but a great conversation piece. Not a large selection of ales - 2 on my visit (Abbott and Harveys) but Bob (if I may be so informal) certainly appears to take pride in the quality.
The large garden affords panoramic views over the downs (or so I was told - it was dark when I was there). An odd quirk is to be found in the car park - a tapered roller designed for rolling sloping lawns that was apparently found when clearing some brambles (naturally Bob referred to it as having a Roller in the drive). An interesting pub made very welcoming by the landlord and well worth a stop off on the way to/from the Battle or Hastings area.
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