The Red Lion, Eastbourne

The Red Lion in Willingdon is fairly well known as being the pub of the same name mentioned in George Orwell’s ‘Animal Farm’, but I think that the pub is now far removed from the days when Farmer Jones could have got drunk within its walls as he would have probably been asked to leave as this place has become a thinking man’s pub. The service I received was more than polite and probably what I would expect from an establishment charging a whopping £3.80 for a pint of Guinness. The bar supports six hand pumps and although two of these were off Badger and Tanglefoot were both available from the other four. The draught selection is very limited with the aforementioned Guinness being available alongside Peroni and Stowford Press cider. There is a strong leaning towards food and the kitchen opening times and menu can be found on the pubs website that is linked below. For the size of the pub the actual bar area is quite small as the function room seems to be a main feature and takes up most of the pub. There was some very chilled music playing during my recent week night visit and I spotted signs for regular open mic nights and there is a wine club that often meets. There is a large car park and some picnics can be found outside the front of the pub and there is an advertised beer garden which I imagine being very nice if the rest of the pub is anything to go by. This is certainly not the sort of place one goes to have a raucous evening and the pricing dictates that this is not a session pub, but I will have no problem popping back in for a subdued pint or two when I next find myself in this nice village.