The Gardener's Arms, Lewes

A proper traditional alehouse style boozer, basically two roomed but walk through with the door removed. both ends of the pub were fairly busy with locals,daytrippers and beer tourists alike. Seven handpumps split between the two sides were offering Harveys Sussex Best and Harmony,Gun Parabellum,Rother Vally Hoppers Dry Ale and Old Dairy Blue Top, Sandford Reserve was the Cider. All in all an excellent pub.

Certainly a proper traditional boozer and a haven away from the bustle of Cliffe High Street. But a bit smelly and I don't think cleaning is their top priority (see photo). Interesting choice of ales.

This two bar compact ale house sounds unchanged from previous reviews, except for the fact that in these covid social distancing times, aluminium tables and chairs have been added to the front and the sideway of the pub to increase the number of seated punters it can accommodate. Fortunately for my visit it was a fine weather day and most of the afternoon punters were utilising these, so I managed to grab a table in the back bar and listen to a few of the locals bemoaning the fact that the famous Lewes Bonfire celebrations for 2020 had been cancelled due to the current pandemic. It was good to find bar service in operation rather than table service and also good to find all six handpumps in operation with five ales and one cider available. Alongside the ubiquitous Harvey’s Sussex Best was Dark Star Hop Head, Godmark Black Lion Porter, Gun Brewery Pale Ale and Oakham Attila. I initially went for a half of the 7.5% Oakham Attila, but actually preferred the Godmark porter, with both beers in good condition. I saw enough of this pub to know I would like it here when it can function properly with vertical drinkers filling the gaps between the limited available seating. Oh for those days...