The Snowdrop Inn, Lewes

I missed this one when I was in Lewes nearly five years ago, so when my cycling route to the South Downs youth hostel took me near enough to give me the excuse, I decided to call in. (Getting out of Lewes again was another matter.) I have to say I was not as impressed as I had hoped to be. Perhaps it was being there on a Monday afternoon, after what may have been a heavy weekend. Suffice to say there were only two ales and a cider on the row of handpumps (sorry, didn't count them), these being Harveys Sussex Best and Burning Sky Plateau. Having said that, the Sussex was in good condition though very expensive on my scale of reckoning: £2.15 for a half. Despite all this griping I thought this was a very nice pub that, if I lived in Lewes, would be frequently visited.

Excellent traditional pub on a road now bypassed by the nearby Cuilfail Tunnel. Very characterful 'U'-shaped interior full of pictures, breweriana and diverse knick-knacks, and the sculpted metal creatures on the outside are worthy of note. Also has an upstairs room, accessed by a narrow spiral staircase (or ordinary steps at the back if you don't fancy the challenge). Features a small patio on one side, and a larger beer garden on the other. Decent selection from six of seven handpumps - including the seasonal Harvey's Bonfire Boy in addition to the inevitable Best - but I went for the Burning Sky Plateau (£3.80). Given its quirky nature, it comes as no surprise to find that it is home of the legendary South Street Bonfire Society.

This is I suspect a former Watney's pub on the southern edge of Lewes that would have been a main road pub prior to the construction of the Cuilfail Tunnel thirty five years ago. It is impressively overlooked by the sheer chalk cliffs on the West side of Cliffe Hill, which as noted below provided the pub with its namee all those years ago. Inside it's a poky little place with an Island bar and a couple of cramped staircases leading to an upstairs area which I didn't investigate. The whole place seemed to be covered in bric-a-brac. It was fairly busy on my visit but on a warm late September afternoon most folk were taking advantage of the patios on either side of the pub. One side of the bar has seven hand pumps which had Burning Sky Plateau & Aurora, Harvey's Best, Fyne Avalanche, Downlands Root Thirteen, Gun Milk Stout and a cider. I went for the Burning Sky Aurora (£4.20) which was in excellent condition but a bit pricey. I noticed that this place is a regular live music venue which may not suit everyone. I found it a bit cramped but the beer choice and quality was excellent.