The Lewes Arms, Lewes

Having been a couple of times, I can advise that lunchtimes are fairly quiet, and you'll be hard-pressed to know what all the fuss is about in this well-regarded back-street pub. You'll get a table to yourself to contemplate your beer from the Fuller's range, Harvey's Sussex or occasional guest. Evenings are a different matter, however, when the place really comes alive with a real buzz of locals coming and going. Seats are at a bit of a premium, but the whole atmosphere is good-natured and lively. Food will still be served till 8.30 or 9.00, which is a bonus in a picturesque town low on nationwide chains. If you're in Lewes for beer, you'll probably have it on your list, and rightly so.

This place made the headlines a few years ago when Greene King, in a fit of pig-headed arrogance, tried to remove the Harveys Best from the pub. So of course a visit here was nailed-on. It’s up the hill just behind the castle and the attractive curved exterior (it sits on a narrow backstreet corner) gives way to a corridor and rambling multi-room layout off it. There’s an upstairs room up some creaky stairs with a stage and nicely decked sun terrace. These days the pub is owned by Fullers and in the front bar there were seven pumps dispensing six ales, two clipped with Harveys Best, four from Fullers and an Okells guest. I tried an Okells (sacrilege!) which was OK but I’ve had better. Rooms are decorated with pictures old Lewes, beer mats and pump clips. One of the rooms houses a dart board and the local’s favourite game, Toad in the Hole. In the theatre room upstairs previous productions put on here are documented on the walls. There’s a bawdy panto every year I understand. Just a brief visit due to time constraints but there was enough beer and character to bring me back again.

Excellent little traditional locals' pub tucked round the back streets, next to the old Beard's brewery (now a craft centre). Nicely unspoilt and good to escape to for a quiet pint. Good range of Fullers group beers, plus Harveys Best, in good nick.