The Wheatsheaf Inn, Eastbourne

An ancient-looking inn with retro Courage branding located in the pretty village of Willingdon, which I sampled on the strength of Steve’s review below. On approach off the main road to Eastbourne, the pub is rather overshadowed a looming tree opposite which gives it an almost woodland feel. It’s large inside, with a two room arrangement, linked by a knocked through wall at the far end of the island bar, with a small extra room leading off to the left and a functional garden to the rear. The interior has lost a bit of character by the looks of it, too many botched ‘improvements’ undertaken in the 70’s I think. Four ales available - Harveys Sussex Best, Timothy Taylor Landlord, Hop Back Summer Lightning and Skinners Betty Stoggs, along with some interesting bottled ales (Harveys Elizabeth, Hepworth and others). We managed three of the four ales and the condition of each was good and prices reasonable. Tempted by the food, we tucked into some excellent stuff and my rabbit pie hit the spot; I’d say it’s well-worth eating here – the food was clearly home-cooked fayre and worth the extra couple of quid compared to the usual deep-fried gubbins elsewhere. Service behind the bar was friendly too. A really enjoyable visit and I’d recommend it to anyone finding themselves in the area.