please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Pub has just shut down and is on the market. The new owners didn't make it work so lets hope someone else takes it over. The pub had gone down hill a bit before closure.
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The owners want to convert the pub to residential use, which would be a great shame if they can get away with it. Suggest you visit this excellent pub while you still can.
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Firstly, this inn is in Alciston rather than Polegate, however, what a lovely pub! Well worth a visit after a walk on The Downs. Exquisite surroundings and well kept beer. Very popular with the elders mid-week lunch time, but lots of nice tables outside. A genuinely nice pub.
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First time back for a long time and hasn't changed at all...thank goodness, (unlke 'The Ram' up the road which is now some sort of gastro pub with ghastly clientele).
Harveys on top form as was the Dark Star, food looked good as well.
Off the beaten track but really is worth the effort.
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Tucked away up a quiet country lane, this is one gem of a pub! Enter this quaint old building to find a small but cosy seating area facing a small corner-style bar, it's the perfect place to while away an warm summer's evening or a cold winter's night with good beer and conversation and only the occasional interruption from the pub bird (caged of course). Visit on a warm summer's day and you can sit on the patio at the front or side and listen to nature doing it's thing in this unspoiled place, while the pub cat snoozes in some warm spot. Occasionally there's also live music on the patio and last Sunday when I was there, three guys struck up with some jazz.
As to the fayre, well there are two (local) ales on offer - Harvey's Sussex and Dark Star Hophead, and both are perfectly looked after. On to the food there's a tasty and varied menu, and a Sunday roast beef (served slightly pink) with roast potatoes, Yorkshire pud, vegetables, extra gravy and horseradish sauce all for an amazing � �8.95 which is cheap by Sussex standards. I've had many a pub roast beef costing �12 or more that's not as good as this. Service is friendly and quick and they care about their beer, the produce (you can even buy fresh eggs in the bar) as well as the local village if you want to chat about such things.
Once you've had your fill, I'd recommend a ten minute stroll up the road, past the thatched cottages to Alciston church where you can enjoy wonderful views of the South Downs.
If you haven't tried this place (several times) then you're missing out! No wonder punters rate it so highly.
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A splendid pub with excellent food. Went for dinner there and returned for lunch the next day. Received a friendly welcome on both occasions from both the bar staff and Snowy the pub cat. This is everything a rural pub should be and we will definitely return. I also recommend the lovely Bo Peep Farmhouse B&B if you're planning to enjoy a weekend away here.
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Returned today after a long gap and found that nothing had changed. The welcome, food and beer were all excellent. They also sell fresh free range eggs and oven ready wild rabbit so it is a good place to do some grocery shopping as well. We sat in the bar area which was pleasantly quiet, although it can get very busy. A lovely pub in a lovely village and we will make a point of visiting it more regularly.
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Nice to see a proper pub doing well on a Thursday lunchtime. 2 real ales, Hophead and Harveys Best both in good nick. The main business seems to be food as with many other pubs in the area. I didn't eat here as I only wanted a sandwich and there were none on offer from the extensive menu. The friendly welcome we got was wonderful and the busy staff were also very welcoming. The big black cat, Snowie and the African Grey parrot (caged) just added to the nice feel the place has. I really liked this place and will be back very soon for sure. There is a large beer garden if the bar and restaurant are crowded as I imagine they could be on sunny weekends. Lets just keep it our secret and not tell anyone about this place shall we?
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Cannot fault this pub at all. Visited with friends last Friday night and although the car park was chocka the tables were st out in such a wau that you are not sat on top of each other.
Very nice feel to the place and a lovely fire in the restaurant.
The publicans were very efficient and welcoming and the menu was very good. The food was excellent and the service from the rather attractive serving girls was extremely quick and efficient.
We were extremely impressed with this pub and shall have no hesitation in recommending it to friends or visiting it again.
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Dealt very well with our group of walkers as we had pre-ordered our food and they served us all at the same time. The Cheddar Ploughmans was okay. Decent Harveys Best, rather hazy Dark Star Hophead on offer. Probably the narrowest door to the Gents that I have encountered.
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Afterthought : why is this pub listed under Polegate? That is its POST TOWN, but is some 5 miles west of Polegate.
Other village pubs are listed under their village or hamlet : in this instance, it should be under ALCISTON
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Ideally located for walkers and this is a pub that offers a really natural country atmosphere. Well done to Ian and Ginny.
Invariably excellent over many years of visits. Good ale and a wide-ranging menu. Eat in the bar (small) or the restaurant, or when weather allows outside under the canopies or umbrellas.
Our only criticism would be that on 2 out of 3 visits we have found that the restaurant lacks some atmosphere. Have so often eaten and enjoyed the bar area (when we can get there in time)
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My self and 5 other ramblers met here on a recent Wednesday lunchtime at 12.30
As stated by others who have visited this pub, it is very special, a thriving, traditional English pub, it is well loved by all that come here.
As it was lunch time it was very busy but service was efficient and friendly.
Beer was Harveys and also Hophead which is a lovely light, refreshing summer ale, we always have this when we come here and it was as usual well kept.
The food is not the cheapest in the world but very good.
(If you want burger and chips I can reccomend Mc Donalds, please go there)
Lots of Fish dishes on the specials board, from Fisherman's Pie to Whole Plaice and sea Bass were on offer as well as all the regular pub favourites.
The the landlady assured us that the whole Plaice was particularly good so 4 of our party went for that, new potatoes, crrots, French beans, peas and broad beans this ran out at �10.95
The other 2 decided on Steak, Kidney and Ale pie, again with new potatoes and veg. at �8.95
The Plaice was large, fresh and cooked to perfecion and our pie eaters were also suitably impressed with their tender and tasty meals. Veg was plentiful, fresh and tasty.
We had no room left for puddings but they did look interesting.
If I could make an observation it would be that by 1.45pm 90% of the diners had gone and things were a bit quieter, next time we shall possibly try getting here a little later.
However I hope this pub does not ever change, it is special and well worth seeking out for good beer and very good food.
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Great pub. Picturesque, cosy, in a beautiful unspoilt hamlet. Landlord and staff first class as is the pub food served in the restaurant. Soundly priced and classic english fare (rabbit pie, fish pie, pheasant, etc). Wine with food reasonably priced. Have been a number of times and can't fault it.
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Another superb trip yesterday. Arrived late for lunch but still allowed to order roast or ploughmans. Great pint of hophead. Remains a favourite Sussex pub.
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Absolutely first rate pub. Friendly, good beer, tasty food, wonderful setting and a parrot on the bar. They don't come much better than this.
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