The Dewdrop Inn, Peacehaven

The landlady has been here a remarkable 49 years, and it shows in both good and less enticing ways... On the positive side, you get a real sense of timelessness and continuity, but set against that you get a very strong impression that you have stepped back in time (although, to be fair, that is largely deliberate). Nothing much has changed since 1968, certainly in respect of furniture and decor, no television (not even in black and white) or payment cards. The two-bar layout also remains intact, although only the larger 'L'-shaped room was being used when I visited. Harvey's (£3.50) from one of three handpumps on both bar counters. Crisps remarkably just 50p. Overall, although quite difficult to recommend to others apart from old-school pub aficionados, I was quite taken by this place.

The Dew Drop Inn has a public bar with a dartboard and quiz machine and an L-shaped lounge bar where all of the locals were enjoying a few beers. The crowd was a lot older than me, but it was nice to see a mix of men and women rather than the hardened drinking blokes that I met in the other two pubs that I visited late one evening last week. I found the staff to be very friendly and the Guinness was on good form. There are other standard draught products available and the bar supports three hand pumps that were drawing Harveys Best (x2) and Winter Warmer that I thought would have run out by now. The windows were covered with heavy maroon curtains and various items including pistols, toy cars, patterned plates and bugles can be found upon the walls. There is banquette seating and tables and chairs throughout the lounge and there is no TV, but some Simon and Garfunkel type music was playing in the background. There is a grassed beer garden out the back along with a car park. This place isn’t going to win any CAMRA awards, but I like a friendly boozer and this is one that I would have no problem returning to.