please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Really very well kept ale (if a trifle cold). Functional, but knowledgeable and friendly bar-staff. Welcoming to a stranger. But something lacked, in terms of atmosphere. Surprising for such a bucolic location.
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Pretty pub with a good selection of ales. Food looked good but a bit pricey - didn't seem to be putting anyone off though. Found the staff busy (it was a saturday night) but polite and didn't get any funny looks from the locals as other reviewers have mentioned, despite being covered in mud!
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Love this pub, and another 2 good pubs close by too, well worth the visit to Pett Village and Pett Level. Decent food, excellently served ales from 4 handpumps, last Tuesday they had Sussex Old Ale, Sussex Best, Firtyniner, and Dark Star American Pale Ale, which is one of my favourites, and which I really enjoyed! We walked here from Hastings, but there is an hourly bus service which stops right outside this pub :-)
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A good stopping off place on a long walk. It's small inside but has a huge garden so it seems better when the sun is out. Good beer selection amd the Dark Star was superb.
Floyd - 25 Apr 2011 16:51 |
Had never noticed or heard of the Two Sawyers before but found it as we drove up from Pett Level. As we were looking for somewhere to enjoy the last of the sun on Saturday eve we stopped for a drink. Clean pub, with a new feel. Pint of Harveys was very good, partner had a Cinzano & friend had a Pimms plus crisps - all came in at around �9 which I thought was good value. Sat at a table in the garden which was well kept, clean table, empty ash trays. The large car park quicky filled up in the 40 minutes we were there - obviously a popular place with locals & mobile Hastings types. Noticed that Darkstar was also on tap with Hogsback Ale coming soon. Would recommend for an afternoon stop off especially if the sun is out.
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Went there for a "wake".
Beer is well kept and very pleasant.....BUT
Food...although it was only a buffet meal for which they probably paid a tidy sum..., it was awful, frozen Salmon & Brocolli Quiche , Salami sandwiches!!!??(stale)miniscule sausage rolls, and dry cheese n pickle sarnies, and a couple of bowls of luke warm chips for 40 people
Waited over an hour for that to be dished up.
Bearing in mind that there was about 40 in the party + lunchtime visitors(school holidays, it was understaffed.
Would i go back there again...for the beer ..Yes..food/service..NO
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The Two Sawyers at Pett must be one of the best pubs I've been in. Four of us had a good lunchtime drink followed by lunch. The beer and wine was fantastic and the food wonderful. Service was first class and the staff very fiendly. This is a very clean and very pretty pub and full of character. The current owners really have turned this pub around and deserve top marks. I would recommend this pub to anyone, especially families.
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Can't understand all the negative comments here.
We always visit this pub at lunch times, maybe evenings are not so good?
Self and friends 6 in total visited Wednesday 30th June and had lovely meals and real ale in great condition. staff could not have been more friendly were very welcoming and readily joined in our friendly banter.
Try the cod with a rearebit topping @�8.95, juicy fresh cod it was too and it came with 4 veg and potatoes (or chips). The Banoffie pie and crumble with custard at �4.25 each went down well too!
Have been 5 times in last 2 years and never had a complaint.
We will be going back again soon.
A shame it is not closer to us is my only criticism.
Keep up the good work 2 Sawyers!
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Car park full of Audi's and 4x4's as I drove in, I feared the worst and sadly as expected got it. Nice pub but highly pretentious, couldn't even get near the main bar to order a drink and the locals welded to it on their stools most defiantly where not going to allow you to get any nearer just looking nonchalantly down the end of their noses if they looked at all.
After waiting and trying to get served a quick conference between my wife and I and we both agreed they were not getting our money in the till as hard as it even would have been to get it there! Went to the Queens Head @ Ickelsham which was the total opposite. Avoid!
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I have visited this lovely old pub about half a dozen times now. It has been renovated with an old feel about the place. It serves food in the bar and restaurant which is above average standard, although a little overpriced, and has real ale on tap. Unfortunately on most occasions I have found the landlady or landlord to be rude and unpleasant.
So, not a bad pub for a once off visit if you can stand the insults!
I for one have paid my last visit.
cakey - 21 Mar 2010 11:38 |
We had a lovely evening on Friday, the band were good. Food excelent and the staff along with Jason & Karen (landlord & landlady) were the most inviting. We look forward to our next visit. Keep it up.
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After reading the comments on this site we were looking forward to a nice family sunday lunch here while on a holiday nearby.
When we got there tables were set in 4s and 2s and as there were six of us we pushed two tables together. There were only 2 other people in the restaurant so we didn't think this would be a problem. We were wrong. We were told there was a table for 6 in the other section and would we mind moving. Not a problem, we all moved and found the table of 6 was in what was effectively a coat cupboard. Throughout our meal we were interrupted by regulars coming to hang up their coats and collect things etc etc. We thought it couldn't get much worse so we continued with our meals. Those who had a roast dinner found the food was very nice. Those who ordered off the specials menu didn't like the bland food they got. All of this was made worse by the stares we got from regulars in the bar who constantly talked about us very loudly and were just plain rude. The service was slow and only one staff member smiled at any point during the horrible experience. I will not go there again and would recommend others to travel a bit further for the much more pleasant service at the neighbouring pubs.
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An Easter lunch with family provided an opportunity to try out the food. All 5 of us were impressed with both the quality and the generous portions. I can personally vouch for the steak and kidney pudding, just the right proportions of meat. I had no room for dessert but the others all enjoyed theirs. Usual friendly service from jason & karen. Excellent value for money.
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Contrary to the incorrect heading, this pub is OPEN! It re-opened in October 2008 under new ownership.The best features of the pub have been kept - e.g 2 bars serving up to 4 real ales, properly kept and served. It is once again becoming popular for dining. Long may it continue to flourish!
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I used to work in this Pub for just over 3 years (between 2003 and 2007), and what a pleasure it was. It was a real shame to see it close for as long as it did, however from what I have heard it has now re-opened under new management. I will be coming down from Sheffield this weekend to sample it once again, so will be able to update my comments next week. If it is anything like it used to be then I would rate this as a warming, kind, friendly, local pub with fantastic home cooked food and a must when visiting Hastings or the South East in general.
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Yes this is pub is being refurbished and is due to open in October! Margaret from Holmes House Restaurant in Sedlescombe and the Royal Oak at Whatlington has taken on this pub to work her wonders and bring it back to it's former glory. Get ready because I can GUARANTEE this pub will become a fantastic meeting place for family's and friends alike!!!
sdk51 - 27 Jul 2008 13:45 |
I have heard that this pub is being renovated and will be reopening at the end of September 2008. Watch this space!
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This pub is definitely still closed, apparently they went bankrupt but have now opened another pub somewhere else I'm told!
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The place is closed until further notice. A sign on the door says this is because of flood damage.
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Although 3 real ales were advertised only one was available on my visit yesterday but saying that it was very nice. A very young staff were in charge of the bar and were obviously very new but were very polite and served everyone well. The weather was foul and it was great to sit in front of the real log fire. The food was hot and above average to good but not as good as excellent. I will visit again.
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Having recently moved into Pett village we are delighted that The Two Sawyers is our local. We are very surprised at the negative comments posted and would say to all those that have had an unfortunate experience 'give it another chance'. Fred, the manager, is back and doing a lot to regain the reputation that this pub once had. His staff are friendly, polite, efficient and eager to please. We have eaten several times from the small, but interesting, menu and the food has been fresh, well-cooked and appetising. The lounge area with big, comfy sofa's in front of welcoming log fires couldn't be bettered for sitting and relaxing before or after your meal. And on Friday night's The Two Sawyer's play host to some good local bands which all add to an enjoyable atmosphere. If the pub has had it's problems in the past all we would say is as far as we are concerned (and we have been in catering ourselves) those problems are certainly not evident now.
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This was a good pub with decent food. Not anymore, Ok for a drink but has lost it's atmosphere.
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Excellent for a hot meal if you like it served cold.
anonymous - 17 Nov 2006 09:07 |
Quite a nice place if you don't like pubs or good food.
Seriously bad attitude from the bar.
Never again.
anonymous - 2 Nov 2006 10:49 |
Hmmn, I tried the Jalfrezi on my last visit and I must admit that sauces from a jar do not make the grade for me, I could reproduce this at home for a fraction of the cost, thumbs down I am afraid.
anonymous - 27 Oct 2006 09:30 |
Awful food in a dirty pub, not worth more words.
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This place was excellent. Was.
Not anymore.
When the brewery next door was in full swing you'd be guarenteed a bad pint, but it was a bit of fun... something different and sometimes, the beer wasn't bad at all. Sometimes.. Those days have however long gone, the food is sub par, the beer isn't worth bothering with, stick to bottles and the waitresses... well, what can one say. "GCSE"
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I'm not a local. I was taken here by my in-laws, today, for lunch [Harold and June - many thanks from self and spouse]. They're not locals, either, but have used the pub before.
I have not.
Seemed fairly empty in the bar. This was a Saturday luchtime. We ordered from the day's specials, although there is a lengthy menu, too.
Bit of a wait [for jalfrezi curries [2] and scallops [2]]; not quite sure why, and no real explanation. However, very nice food when it arrived. Very tasty, good quantities.
We noticed that the fish special involved a battered cod that was off both ends of a platter, and a large portion of chips, plus lemon etc.
Prices - reasonably good value - no, good value, really, this close to London.
Ale - only bitters on, apparently, were Harvey's and London Pride. This place used to brew its own beer: no longer! The space that was the brewery has been converted into a building site - Sawyers Row [no apostrophe on the sign]. Both beers were good: SWMBO had the Pride, and Pa-in-law the Harvey's.
The Strongbow and the lager were also OK.
Apparently five lagers are normally carried, but Ma-in-law's first choice - Stella - off.
We did notice that there is a very good selection of Whiskeys - for those who like those.
The staff were very helpful, well-spoken and pleasant. Most caring - " Is everything OK?"; impressive.
Would I go back?
Based on today's visit, certainly - if in the area; it is a long way from home.
Based, however, on the earlier comments - I'm much less sure.
Is the new owner a property speculator?
Yet, we were talking to the other diners today, and several were back again for the second or even third lunch in as many days.
Something, obviously, is being done well.
By the way, the ceiling in the restaurant is pretty low - the building dates from the sixteenth century - so any one over about 5'5" [1.65m] should watch out.
Overall - a six - for me .... [I realise others may have a differetn opinion!].
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This pub has had a chequered history but not until last saturday night did it experience such a series of diabolically unacceptable incidents. The publicans father and sister at 11.45 announced for the entire assembly of regulars to leave the bar. On questioned by the irriatated locals for WHAT REASON. The bullish Sgt Major, unknown figure, told the local that they did not want that quality of clientelle in the pub. Mostly being local traders/prof'/wealthy neighbours. All enjoying a rare get together in an extreemly orderly fashion. This was only moments before the NEW bar man had grabbed his coat and exited shouting abuse at our northern newly aquired landlords-Or are they? He, the Sgt.Major then spent the best part of thirty minutes denying various charges the irate locals fired at him. Continually telling them that all of us were unwelcome and demanding them leave the establishment. He was offensive/rude and somewhat ignorant of the assembled quality of previously good and reliable locals. The pub has disentegrated within this current ownership and I for one resent this invasion of our rustic heritage. DO NOT ATTEND THIS PUB and give them your monery you will get offence for thanks.
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We were having a drink on saturday 16/09/06 when an elderly man and his daughter came behind the bar and said that they were closeing. This was at 11:30 and remembering that they have a late license we were told that we should go immediately. A young lady asked were the owner was and was told that he was in bed having a early night as he was tired. They were obviously locals and was told very rudely that they did not "need the likes of the locals" in the pub, and that it was far to upmarket for them. They all seem pretty decent people to me and i was surprised to hear that any pub these days would actually send customers away. A young lady explaining to the rude man and his daugher that her taxi won't be coming for at least an hour. She was told that she would have to wait outside. If anything should have happend to this lady wile standing in the middle of the country with no passing trafic, would they have forgiven themselves. Going by their attitude i don't think they would have. Luckily one of the locals gave her a lift home. All i can say is that the old guy who was so rude to the locals should really have nown better manners at his age. But then going by his daughter attitude and body language she is a chip off the old block
We were talking to some of the locals when we left and they were appaled at the treatment they have received, considering that some of them uses the pub everynight. It is not as if the old man or his daughter new them. So landlords rather have a nap in the afternoon than having a early night, you business might have a better chance of succeeding. But then with all the locals upset i think they would rather be using the Roal Oak and the Smuglers where they would be welcomed and not insulted. Don't you agree.
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After an unsatisfactory dining experience last August at the Two Sawyers (very slow service), we decided to give them another chance.
So feeling generous, we let the snail trails on the carpet under our table, the cutlery that hadn�t visited the dishwasher since the previous evening�s service and the incorrect drinks order slide, hoping for quicker service from the promisingly good menu this time.
Well it took some time for the 6 or so waitresses (for 5 or 6 tables) to arrive with our main course, the pork medallions were �very good� apparently, the rest were poor value for money to say the least at around �8, you don�t tend to expect frozen potato cubes.
Never mind, onto the �home made� puddings. Chocolate tart was lovely. As was the rhubarb fool. The Cheesecake with Blueberry sauce however, caused a few problems.
It arrived and was tasted. All four of us knew they weren�t blueberries. We grow soft fruit. These were purple in colour and tasted like Blackberries.
�Just to let you know, there�s a mistake on your menu, this isn�t a blueberry sauce. Was it supposed to be?� we mentioned to a waitress. Doing her best Vikki Pollard impression, she told us they were blueberries but she mumbled she�d get a manager.
The pub owner, (Paul Moore) arrived at our table, to say (well actually, yell, in front of the other diners) that they were blueberries and that he wouldn�t have this criticism from �guests� under his own roof. (Beware those with heart problems). He stormed off and we were left a little stunned to say the least.
A few moments later however, the chef appeared with her illustrated cookery book, to give us a lesson on what fresh fruit looked like. After a few minutes of calm discussion, she finally admitted they were in fact frozen Bilberries from Sainsburys. �But nobody would know what they were if we put them on the menu�.
So paying the hefty bill and stepping over the snail trails we decided there probably wouldn�t be a third visit by us anyway. If you�re in the area, we can highly recommend the few extra miles drive to The Queens Head, Icklesham.
anonymous - 6 Sep 2006 16:03 |
Visited the Sawyers again after a two year gap and was not impressed, we never actually managed to eat. Arrived at 6.10pm ravenous, asked if food was being served, nice cheery barman said "yes at 6.30" great, we bought a pint of rather flat XXXX and a bottle of wine and relaxed on the leather sofas in readiness for a rump steak. The staff all seemed to be kids who randomly roamed about, the waitress arrived at 6.30 and sat down for a fag and so we waited on. after much chatter about who was going to do what we were given menus to read placed inside books?? presumably to read during the long wait?? At ten to seven we had suffered too long, I asked the barman what was occuring "we had a busy lunch" was the reply, and still the restaurant wasn't ready for customers, we left the premises bemused and starving. I won't be rushing back, maybe I should leave it another two years?
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Visted this traditional country pub. It's difficult to locate, as it is on a narrow country road, on the way to Pett Levels. Recomend that you make the trip allowing ample time to stay a while and enjoy the warm and friendly welcome.The food selection provides a selection of Pub Meals, or an alternative Restaurant setting. A goode selection of real ales, is available, or a fine selection of wines. Whatever your taste the staff will be so pleased to offer efficient friendly service.
For family fun, or that romantic escape this provides the perfect location.
We intend to revisit , soon.
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We took a wrong turning and found this 'quintessential' country pub by mistake. Had a great meal (homecooked) and washed it down with a few pints of excellent Warsteiner beer. Staff smiled alot - service was a bit slow - we forgave them as it was busy and they let us know we'd wait for 25 minutes when we asked for the menu. We'll be back for more!
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I really enjoyed myself despite `what some of the more miserable nothing to do except moan and groan people` have to say. The staff went out of their way to be of service and the food is excpetional, every time i go i can have a set menu or something completely new and deliciuos from the specials board.
I will be back next summer....
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The Two Sawyers is now under new owners and is doing well. As always there is teething problems and they are doing their utmost to correct these. Please try again.
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We visited this pub whilst at Hastings last weekend and we must agree with Magenta's comments.
Despite an impressive menu, the food was very disappointing. The chilli con carne on the specials board was hot from the over-use of chilli powder but it lacked flavour .My husband asked for a rare rib eye steak but if arrived more like medium and the stilton sauce was bland as well.
My husband spoke to the manager about our meals and received indifference in return .
The following evening we ate much better (and cheaper) in Hastings at a far less pretentious place and we definitely won't be returning to this pub.
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Brilliant pub, the large beer garden to its right is perfect for children: Enclosed, with lots of trees to climb! Also dog friendly.
If you go there for Sunday lunch, be aware that the "large" option is the same as the cheaper small option, except you get one extra potato. Forgoing this expensive extraneous spud will save you three quid.
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Having just visited this pub, I must totally disagree with stuarts comments. I found the staff rude, the food was of poor quality and the brewery has been closed down yet they still advertise it, very dissapointing.
Not one for a return visit.
Magenta - 11 Jul 2004 19:50 |
Fantastic old pub in the heart of the village. Great beer, great food, large enclosed beer garden and next the Old Forge Brewery (Best ale in Sussex). What more can I saw. See if you can spot the Farnes.
Stuart - 25 Sep 2003 16:11 |
