The Robin Hood, Winchelsea

The Robin Hood is a 17th century roadside pub on the A259 in the small East Sussex village of Icklesham. To the right of the pub is a large car park and behind the pub is a large grass covered beer garden full of picnic tables and a children’s climbing frame. The entrance to the pub is found down some steps that lead down to a covered frontage. Inside, the serving counter of the thin bar area faces the entrance. To the left is a separate seating area with pool table and television that was switched off with no signs of live sport being advertised. To the right of the bar is more seating and a fish tank. The walls and ceiling are adorned with copper and brass objects as well as a collection of jugs, trophies and etched mirrors. Hops run across the wooden beams, as they do in any self-respecting Sussex country pub. At the rear is a conservatory that is reserved for diners only, so I did not visit. Dogs are also not permitted in this area but are more than welcome in the bar. I counted ten hand pumps, three of which were unused. The seven in operation were drawing, Wantsum Montgomery, Greene King IPA, Brains S.A., Tonbridge Traditional and Golden Rule alongside Westons Old Rosie and Family Reserve real ciders. Four more real ciders were available from Kent based Dudda’s Tun. The kitchen was closed during my recent Saturday afternoon visit, but I noted that the traditional pub mains on the specials board started at £11. This pub has normal opening hours but is closed between 15:00 and 18:00 Monday through Thursday. Current kitchen opening hours are Mon 12:00 - 14:00, 18:00 - 21:00; Tues 12:00 - 14:00; Wed & Thurs 12:00 - 14:00, 18:00 - 21:00; Fri 12:00 - 14:30, 18:00 - 21:00; Sat 12:00 - 15:00, 18:00 - 21:00; Sun 12:00 - 21:00. This is a decent pub well worthy of a stop off. The people of Icklesham are very lucky to have two great pubs on their doorstep.