The Chequers Inn, Uckfield

What I thought would be a terror walk to the Chequers Inn up the pathless Millwood Lane and Underhill actually turned into a fairly pleasant car free stroll through the countryside. Maybe I shouldn’t have been surprised because Maresfield is a gnat’s cock away from Winnie-the-Pooh’s Ashdown Forest stomping ground. Unfortunately the only Pooh I stumbled upon had fallen out of a horse’s arse! The Chequers spent a short while within Marco Pierre White’s portfolio of fine dining gastro pubs, but this ended in 2013 when Greene King decided to add to their ‘Olde English Inn’ collection. This imposing 18th century coaching in sits beside a roundabout in the centre of the village opposite St Bartholomew’s church. This church was the setting for a large wedding during my recent Saturday afternoon visit to the area. The interior of the pub consists of a small front bar area to the left that comes complete with limited seating and an inglenook with fireplace for the colder months. To the right is a larger seating area that looked more suited to dining than drinking. Another small bar area can be found beyond this seating area and three steps lead down to more seating that stretches to the rear of the pub. By the rear door there is a function room that can apparently hold 25 people. Wifi is available. Out the back is a multi-level beer garden with plenty of seating. To be honest I was quite surprised that there were only about ten customers present in the pub grounds during my visit. Maybe the lack of television during Euro 2016 football had something to do with it. The bars are stocked with a range of standard and premium keg products. I also noted the presence of three hand pumps that were drawing GK’s Old Speckled Hen, IPA and Old Golden Hen. Dishes from GK’s nationwide pub menu are available every day from 11:00 until 22:00. I didn’t look at a menu during my visit, but advertised on the A-board on the path out front were main meals available for £4.99 daily from midday until 18:00. To maximise location the Chequers is also a 17 bedroom hotel, which has dog friendly rooms.

The Chequers Inn page on the Old English Inns website - www.oldenglishinns.co.uk

The Chequers Inn page on the Old English Inns website - www.oldenglishinns.co.uk