The Anchor Inn, Lewes

Nice old (although thoroughly refurbished) pub, claiming to date from 1742, located directly across from the village green where a cricket match was underway when I stopped by. Partly opened-out inside to leave a L-shaped layout, with the bar at the front and the dining area to the right and rear. A beer garden can also be found on the left-hand side. Harvey's, Dark Star Hophead and Famous Sailors from Downlands (£4.60) were available from the six handpumps on my visit.

Originating from 1742 the Anchor Inn is situated in the center of the village just to the south of Ringmer Green. On a Thursday just after lunch, a couple of weeks before Christmas, the pub was very busy with diners, which I suppose was unsurprising. The interior is predominantly L-shaped with a bar counter that faces the entrance and raised seating in the front window to the left. More raised seating, and a dartboard, are found in the front windows to the right of the entrance. Open plan seating runs up the right and there is a snug at the rear. Bare boards run throughout and there are lots of knick-knacks on the walls and shelves, much as one would expect in any self-respecting country cottage pub. The counter supports standard and premium keg as well as six hand pumps, four of which were in operation drawing Harvey’s Best and Old Ale alongside Three Acre’s Session Pale and Two Horns Brewery’s Diamond Geezer. On the sloped ceiling over the entrance are lots of old pump clips that would suggest a rotating range of cask. As mentioned, this is predominantly a food led pub, the burgers start at £13. From my table at the door I saw a few people walk in hoping to get a table, but they were turned away by the less than hospitable woman behind the counter, who I assumed was the landlady. It’s the first time someone has barked at me “well where are you going to sit?” when I’ve politely asked for a pint. Pointing at a free table three foot from the bar I was informed that it was table service only. So I sat at said table staring at my pint of Stella sitting on the counter for almost five minutes before the young waiter moved it to my table, where I paid straight away to avoid another lengthy wait. To be fair he was actually very polite, and there was a good festive atmosphere, helped in part by the Christmas songs playing in the background. Although the welcome wasn’t great I actually quite liked the pub, so having recently moved to the general area I will give it another go, just maybe at a quieter time.