The Crown & Anchor, Eastbourne

One of the few pubs in Eastbourne that can just about qualify as "seafront", though it is on the corner of a road and next to the town's coach park. The Duke of Devonshire's planning policies ensure that there are few similar boozers on the front, though plenty of hotel bars.

It's a Greene King pub selling their usual range. Very little to commend it, but on the other hand not too much to say against it. Food available throughout the day.

1 Apr 2011 18:33

Terminus Hotel, Eastbourne

The Terminus is a strange beast indeed, but at least it's kept its name and a traditional inn sign, unlike the monstrosity of a boozer next door which has changed names several times in recent years and is currently trading as The Duke of Devonshire. Presumably that name change suggests it aims to compete with The Terminus as a "traditional" pub. Sadly, and perhaps because of the proximity, neither pub does particularly well at doing that- the Terminus's makeover and regular paint jobs are undoubtedly a response to whatever is happening next door in what, by the way, is a totally unconnected business.

The name of the pub is inspired by it being on the main road down to Eastbourne's seafront from the elegant, listed Victorian station. Terminus Road in fact is the main street for everything in Eastbourne- shopping, eating and drinking, because of the (real) Duke of Devonshire's stipulation that there should be no shops to sully the seafront when the town developed after the arrival of the railway. While this makes for a very pleasant seafront, it does perhaps account for the strange agglomeration of pubs in the town centre, including the Terminus- which more logically I'd expect to find next to the station!

These observations aside, this is probably the best place in Eastbourne to sample the full range of Harvey's excellent ales. The monthly brews are always here, along with the dependable classics like Sussex Best Bitter and Old Ale in the winter. I don't think I've ever been served a duff pint in here on the dozen or so occasions I've been in here.

However, this is not really a pub I'd want to linger in, or at any rate, not alone. The bar staff are competent, but not as chatty and welcoming as, for instance, Phil and family at The Marine (qv), which does an equally excellent pint of Sussex though it's a free house. You're left with the impression that you are more of a supermarket checkout transaction, perhaps, than a welcome guest- particularly in the evening when the bouncers come on shift.

I can't recall eating here- or if I did, it can't have been that memorable! However, the menu looks acceptable so OK for filling a hole, I guess. As has been observed elsewhere, it's a very long walk to the loos, rather like trudging through a London Underground tunnel, so perhaps not advised for anybody who needs to get to the loo in a hurry!

As to the plastic glasses, these are I suspect a requirement of the licensing authority, i.e. Eastbourne Borough council, so no fault of the management. Neither, really, are the chavs- this is on the edge of Eastbourne's night club territory and inevitably attracts their clientelle before they hit the dance floor.

Overall, a good place to quench your thirst with superb real ale, but not perhaps to linger unless you like bizarre jukebox choices- White Christmas on the 29th March was most peculiar!- TVs with the sound down and loud youngsters.

1 Apr 2011 18:24

The Abercorn Arms, Teddington

As it says above the reviews section on BITE, reviews are purely the opinion of the visitors- as true for my view here as in my earlier comments on this pub (see 31st July 2010). Nevertheless, I know I'm not alone in feeling very disappointed by the changes to the Abercorn, so much so that I know I am not alone in having deserted it to sample other more cosy and comfortable places for a drink and a chat of a Friday night.

Price is not the issue, nor is the quality of the product. London beer is expensive, and Young's - ever since it made the move to Bedford- more so than most. But we've grown almost immune to that. The problem that the new tenants of the Abercorn Arms is that they seem to have thrown the baby out with the bathroom- by which I mean the toilets, which have been moved and replaced as part of the recently completed major refurb.

Undoubtedly the Abercorn was in need of a makeover, but I fear they've done a botox job rather than a seriously considered way of keeping what we were promised when Mel and Linda retired. The great thing about the "old" Abercorn was that there was a place for all- the saloon bar was the noisier, music and games bar favoured by students and younger types, while entering via the very narrow door on the corner, you could enjoy the peace and quiet of the lounge bar (except when it was in use for quizzes or live music).

The new landlady (whose name is above the pub for 'legal' reasons as it were) and her husband have improved access to the patio and garden, to make more of that- great, this was an under-used feature of the pub before. But they've also stripped out much of the panelling around the bar which helped to insulate the lounge from the saloon and as a result made both bars a much noisier place. Not welcome!

Not only that, but the furniture has changed. Gone are comfortable benches and chairs, replaced by tables and rather too high bar stools which scarcely make one want to linger.

Also, the lighting is much harsher and less easy on the eye than the "front room" look of the old Abercorn.

No doubt this new look may appeal to some, for a while. But I suspect the faithful majority will vote with their feet, heading instead, indeed for The Mason's Arms- a true museum piece but a good one, or The Adelaide. Which is where you'll find me tonight. Sorry Abercorn, but you've lost our custom for now.

The Abercorn always had

1 Apr 2011 17:58