The Fox on the Downs, Brighton

Located across the road from Brighton racecourse. 1 real ale and food served.

Until fairly recently this pub was known as the Winner but it now goes under the moniker of the Fox on the Downs. Opposite is Brighton Racecourse which isn’t somewhere I have heard of before, but I’m not the biggest horse racing fan. There are a few picnic tables outside the front of the pub, but I would expect more outside drinking space considering the location. The interior of the pub is L shaped with wood flooring throughout. There is a coal burner in the seating area to the right of the bar where the specials board reveals a host of dishes priced between £5 and £7. There is a carvery every Sunday from 12:30 and between 18:00 and 21:00 on Wednesdays the meals are two for one. There are two hand pumps on the bar, but the Harvey’s Best was off and the second pump was unused. This left a choice between Staropramen, Amstel, Fosters, Strongbow and John Smiths Extra Smooth. There is no television, but one of the manageress’s cd’s was playing in the background. There was only one other customer during my visit on Tuesday evening so there was little atmosphere. To be honest I thought the pub to be sterile and the recent refurbishment needs some wearing in. A bit too food led for my liking, but at least it was open as when I made the walk up the hill at 21:45 a couple of Mondays ago the pub had shut up for the night. This place is a little out of the way to justify a revisit.