The Anchor, Barcombe

Myself and my family recently parked at the Anchor Inn, Barcombe in order to launch our kayak. We were hoping to park, launch then return for their bar-b-q (didn't look great but you feel obligated) and most likely a couple of rounds of drinks. 4 adults, 1 child - probably a �40 spend all in all. The manager, Jack, then informed us that we couldn't launch and insinuated that the land all around the pub was theirs. Ok then, no �40 for you but we'll pay the �5 non-patron's parking fee and walk to an adjoining field. No he said, that's not allowed. Why? Because you're not. Fine, I'll drive to Barcombe Mills (15 mins by car/40 mins walk) and my family can paddle down river and meet me there. I left. In my abscence the manager, Jack, reappeared and forbade them to launch from a field that wasn't even his/theirs, making snide remarks about me 'hiding' my car. My nephew and niece's being too polite to object I then had to walk back to the pub to find them. I politely asked the owner, Simon, if indeed he or Jack have any jurisdiction over a field which isn't theirs. After being very disingenuous about what he owned and what he didn't he finally agreed that they had no jurisdiction. No apology was forthcoming and Jack had disappeared. We finally launched from an adjoining field.

Do not on any account frequent this vile pub (go the splendid Cock Inn nearby instead as suggested by another poster). Avoid its odious staff & new owner at all costs unless you're happy to waste a precious sunny afternoon in June whilst your 5 year old daughter is made to walk three miles in a wet suit in hot sunshine carrying a kayak with her cousins across open fields because someone has bought a pub under the mistaken assumption that the title deeds include all of East Sussex. Despicable.

1 Jul 2009 16:34