The Wheatsheaf Inn, Bexhill-On-Sea

Prominent pub now beside a busy roundabout so you can see it from a distance at many angles. Although partly opened out, it retains two separate bars, a lounge area behind the former main fireplace and at least one more room beyond that. Also has some wooden benches out front for the traffic enthusiasts and a pool table inside somewhere (that I heard but didn't see). Although Greene King IPA, London Pride and Harvey's clips were mounted on the three handpumps, it turned out that only the former (£5.50 with a packet of peanuts, and in about as good a shape as it gets, to be fair) was actually on.

Official site of The Wheatsheaf Inn - www.thewheatsheafbexhill.co.uk

Official site of The Wheatsheaf Inn - www.thewheatsheafbexhill.co.uk

To those who are not from around these parts the name ‘Little Common’ probably conjures up visions of chocolate box cottages and Miss Marple wheeling a bicycle with a basket laden with homemade jams. However, the main feature of Little Common is in fact a very busy roundabout on the A259 that links Pevensey and Bexhill. The Wheatsheaf is located on this roundabout so al fresco drinking provisions are not high on the agenda. The pub’s website states that this pub is open on Mondays, but much to my annoyance I recently found that this is incorrect. It is my understanding that standard opening times are adhered to on other days throughout the week, except for Sundays when the doors are locked at 17:30 After the initial disappointment of finding this pub closed I decided to try and visit again on a Wednesday evening. After another twenty minute trudge up from Cooden Beach Railway Station I was relieved to find the lights on and a couple of blokes smoking by a picnic table adjacent to the entrance. A sign out the front lists differing food deals that are available throughout the week and an upcoming charity quiz was advertised for the Saturday evening (last night). I also noted that live music at the weekend is a regular occurrence. A sign in the entrance advises diners to ‘please wait in the bar to be seated’. This bar area, to the left of the entrance, consists of a couple of tables along the front window and a log fireplace. To the left of the bar is a seating area that was set for dining, but the main dining area in is the right rear portion of the pub. In a room behind the bar I spied a plasma TV and pool table through a hatch in the back bar. Sky Sports is not advertised and there was no background music playing. I found the young barman to be polite and attentive as he served me a pint of Harvey’s best. Doom Bar was available from the second hand pump and a standard draught range was also available. Whilst standing at the bar I perused the menu to learn that most of the traditional pub food mains were priced around £10. A children’s menu for 2 – 12 year olds was also available with selected mains + a pudding priced at £6.75. I didn’t try the food so cannot comment on whether this is a good place to eat, but I do know that I’ll not be making the 40 minute round trip from the station for another beer.