The Blackboys Inn, Uckfield

The Blackboys Inn is a large and attractive Harvey’s country pub with a large lawn out the front with a handful of picnic tables. Lots more picnic tables are found on the raised patio area that stretches across the front of the pub. Up a few steps is the entrance that leads to a wooden floored area with a mix of seating and a dartboard to the left. There’s also a large inglenook that has been turned into a seating area with benches up the sides. A small corner of the bar counter allows for service. This bar counter continues across the rear to a parquet floored bar area to the right of the entrance where hops, and lots of keys, hang from the wooden roof beams. Further right is a large dining area that I didn’t visit, but I did note the piano in the entrance and that live music was advertised for the upcoming Saturday evening. Available from the bar was a premium keg range alongside four hand pumps, three of which were in use drawing Pells Pale, Best and Sisters. The service was polite without being overly welcoming, the sort of service you get in a busy pub. Outside was busy, but the pub itself was empty, apart from the queue to the bar. I enjoyed my visit because I’ve not been here before, but I don’t think I’d be bothered to drive out again.

Picture-book country pub, thankfully kept the traditional style by Harvey's despite being very much a food-led place these days. Features a multi-room interior with dark wood throughout the central bar, side seating / dining area to the left and the more formal restaurant on the right-hand side. Patio beer garden at the front on each side of the entrance (with more tables on the grass closer to the road). Sussex best bitter, Sisters table beer (£5.00) and Olympia available from three of the four handpumps.

Official site of The Blackboys Inn - www.theblackboys.co.uk

Official site of The Blackboys Inn - www.theblackboys.co.uk