The Salehurst Halt, Robertsbridge

Official site of The Salehurst Halt - salehursthalt.co.uk

Official site of The Salehurst Halt - salehursthalt.co.uk

This is a neat brick and tile built cottage by the church in a small rural community just away from the A21 and the bustling metropolis of Robertsbridge. Inside, traditional bare boards, low beams and open fires, together with an eclectic literary selection. The Halt is renowned as a source of Dark Star beers, and today was no exception, with Hophead alongside Harveys Sussex Best, and Rudgate’s Ruby Mild, together with Biddenden Bushells Cider on handpump.The Hophead perhaps wasn’t at its peak:that wonderful citric hit seemed to be missing, but was still a grand beer. I hadn’t had the Rudgate’s Ruby Mild before, and was highly impressed with it; a luscious malty beer with a mouthful of dried fruit. A bit heavy for a traditional mild, but a classic all the same. As a community pub, the Halt sources its food, as well as the beer, locally as far as possible. As a noted glutton, I found the beef pie very succulent, and the burgers looked good as well. I’m pleased to add that the beef comes from Sussex cattle.The rhubarb fool wasn’t bad, either. There’s a pleasant garden , looking out over hopgardens in the Rother Valley. It seems to be a haven for dogs, though we left ours at home, it being the hottest day since last September. We’ll be back.