The Wheatsheaf Inn, Willingdon

Went here with 8 friends recently one Wednesday lunch time.
Pub smells a bit damp as you go in but you soon forget that, 4 good cask ales on today including Harveys, Timothy Taylor "Landlord" AND Betty Stoggs. Our party sampled them all and all were in good condition at reasonable prices (�3.20 or less)
The pub is friendly and was quite busy.
The menu is rather limited but what they do they do well, 4 of us had a very nice and very tasty Liver and Bacon with mash and fresh veg, (not cheap at �9.95 each but VERY good) 3 others had ham eggs and chips which was not on the blackboard (only menu) but was on the web site, they only had 6 eggs so we were limited to 3 portions at �8.95, very good though with thick home cooked ham. The last 2 in our party had burger and chips, again home made with hand cut chips, very nice .. sorry, can't remember the price. Puddings at �4.75 were tasty and looked good although we thought the very shallow plates that looked like dishes were a bit of a swiz!

All in all this is more a drinkers pub I think but none the worse for that. as I said, what they do they do very well.
We will be going back.
For me 7 10 and probably best in this area, certainly for beer!

10 Mar 2011 19:30

The Smugglers, Pevensey

UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT I believe but first time for us
Certainly no sign of surly service and no other complaints either here.
We arrived to The Smugglers at 12.30 on a recent Wednesday lunch time, to greet us 5 walkers there were 4 friends so we were 9 in all.
I had phoned ahead and the landlady had laid us a large table for 9 in the restaurant with table linen and flowers on the table.

Before we went into the restaurant we supped some very well kept Shepherd Neame Real Ales, I had 2 pints of Spitfire (although they also had Bishops Finger and Masterbrew) sitting in a comfortable chair by the log fire in this lovely old pub in February 2011.
Beer was not cheap, Spitfire �3.35 a pint, Masterbrew �3.20 and Lager (Holsten) was �3.60 but all was in good condition and unless you are going to drink 10 pints or so, does it really matter if your pint is 10p or so more than some other places?
NOT TO ME!
There was no sign of the resident Ghost but the original wide curved Oak polished floor planking and Oak beams paid testament to the age of the pub, it OUGHT to have a Ghost!
Food was excellent

3 of us had Fish and Chips a �8.20 this was beer battered Cod and served with Petit pois, slice of lemon and tartare sauce and was very fresh and tasty

2 Had Steak and Kidney Pudding I think at �8.95,

1 had a special of Thai Fish Cakes which he reported as excellent,

1 had a Chicken Curry

2 had Ham Eggs and Chips

Puddings were also delicious and all priced at �4.60.
3 of us tucked into Apple and Blackberry Crumbles and others had Pavlova and Crem Brulee

Service was very good and we were asked if everything was ok twice before on leaving the landlady thanked us and when we all replied that we had enjoyed our meal she told me "It takes a long time to build a reputation but you can lose it in 1 bad meal or with poor sevice. Very True but nice they realise this.
Well we had superb food, good beer and excellent service and guess what? We will be going back soon!
For me 10 out of 10 we go to a different pub every Wednesday and have seen it all and WE were all very impressed with The Smugglers at Pevensey. Give it a try!

9 Feb 2011 20:42

The New Inn, Winchelsea

Went here today weds lunchtime 21st July 2010 with 6 friends and the new landlord and staff have worked wonders.

I spoke to the landlord who took over in February and he told me he had brought all the staff with him when he took over the pub. Imogen the waitress was buzzing around and yes, WE were asked twice if we enjoyed the meal too and if they could get anything for us etc.
Excellent Green King IPA and ABBOT (�3.10 and 3.20 a pint)

5 of us had Liver and Bacon which was excellent with tender calf's liver and nice rich gravy another had sausages and mash and teh last grumpy old man enjoyed a cheese ploughman's.

It was a tad dear but in my opinion it was still good value for the food and the excellent service.

We will be going back for me it warrants a 9

21 Jul 2010 20:34