The Red Lion, Eastbourne

A very attractive Hall & Woodhouse pub which commands some nice views of the local countryside and is mentioned in George Orwell’s Animal Farm. The immaculate turn-of-the-century exterior leads to an interior that is neat and retains a certain air of 1930’s period charm, with dark wood panelling and wall-to-wall carpeting. Despite being in the 2011 Good Beer Guide, there were only two Badger ales, Tanglefoot and Sussex. My Tanglefoot was expensive in the extreme and the pint was serviceable, rather than being a spot-hitter. Ho-hum. The welcome from behind the bar was very friendly which at least compensated for my back pocket feeling considerably lighter. The pub has two areas set up for food and a well-maintained grass garden (heavily sloped) at the rear which made for a pleasant place to sup our ales in the mid-afternoon sunshine. Overall I thought this place was fairly perfunctory despite the many undoubted physical attributes and I wouldn’t feel the immediate need to revisit specially unless there was either more ale or a cheaper rendition of the two available.