Elephant & Castle, Lewes

Substantial two-part pub on the far side of the castle from the High Street, so more of a locals pub than most in the town centre. Unfussy furniture and decoration in both rooms (with the main bar at the front and the pool table, dartboard and traditional 'Toad in the Hole' game on the left-hand side). Unusually for a Harvey's pub, Dark Star's Hophead was available in addition to the mandatory Sussex Best (£5.60) from two of the six handpumps.

Dating from 1838, home to Commercial Square Bonfire Society, which celebrates native Americans’ rights (should’ve chosen The Rights of Man as a home, surely?) and unusually for Lewes, a Harvey’s tied house. As described below, I went for a half of Thornbridge Wild Swan, £2.75, unknown to me and unmemorable. Worth it for the carved door surround.

Official site of Elephant & Castle - www.harveys.org.uk

Official site of Elephant & Castle - www.harveys.org.uk

Very close to the Lewes Arms which is a good double header. The interior of this pub is on the large size, with two main rooms supported by a central bar. The lounge area on the right hand side had a tiled floor, pews and large ornate tables. I thought the wood carved panel around the main entrance to be an unusual antiquity [see photos]. My Big Hug Brewing Pave the Way was an excellent choice.

Although the pub interior has been somewhat stripped out over the passing years it still retains some nice woodworkas well as some character. Six handpumps offered the beers listed by BF in the review below, I went for the Jaipur which is usually a reliable beer and was good. Decent pub.

Visited 03/10/24 This is a really good real ale pub in Lewes, better if you can deal with the excessive desire to show live sport here. There are five hand pumps, providing a strong Lilley's cider called Gladiator, Pilcrow Pale from the Dorking Brewery, Kelham Island Easy Rider, and two from locals, Rising Giant from Long Man and Sussex Best from Harvey's. Keg options were Thatchers Gold, Madri, Guinness, Wingman, Neck Oil, K1664, one I couldn’t correct my typo with any certainty in my notes and Inch's cider. The venue is bare boarded apart from a ceramic tiled are to the right of the entrance, which has a fire grate against the far wall and regular tables and chairs, with a big screen in one of the corners at ceiling height. The servery is in the middle of the venue with the main serving area facing the front door. The area immediately to the left of the door provides tall stools at the bar and a large rectangular table in the window opposite the bar. Another TV resides here so you can watch the action seated at the bar, and can be pretty sure they will be showing something live from somewhere most times you visit! A fire burned at the end of the bar to the right of the arch that opened onto the larger seating area that also house the constantly in action pool table. The TV's in this room were switched off and a large Brighton flag was draped over the window in the far corner. Walls were half white and lower sage green boarding around the perimeter apart from the fire grates. Upper part of the walls were bedecked in miscellaneous pieces, including some Bonfire art.

Not much from the outside but neat and tidy inside, games area to the left and very large wooden table to the right. Feels like a proper drinking pub