The Bolney Stage, Haywards Heath

Facebook page of The Bolney Stage - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of The Bolney Stage - www.facebook.com

Substantial Brunning & Price pub in a fine old Tudor building on the former main coach road to Brighton, timber framed with brick infill and Grade II listed. Various different dining rooms set around the central bar area, all with the expected very traditional look. Also has some patio tables out front and a larger beer garden to the rear. Five cask ales on handpump - the 'house' (St Austell) Traditional Bitter, TT Boltmaker and Proper Job plus the more local Long Man Best and Two Horses from Firebird (£6.00) - along with Bumble Bee's Hedgerow cider.

Brunning & Price pub just off the A23 on the old A23 through the village of Bolney. We arrived shortly before midday and had been beaten here by over a dozen others, who were there for lunch. The early arrivals were seeking tables with umbrellas, but luckily it didn't rain. The garden area has plenty of seating on a patio area closest to the pub itself and a grassy area with a children's play area beyond on a lower level. We plonked ourselves as close to the patio doors as possible, with the aim to get prompt service! The ploy worked well. Just the 3 ales were on - Long Man Best Bitter, Adnams Mosaic & Firebird Parody. I believe there are normally 6 But these are strange times and the range was as good as could be expected. More of a food pub than a drinkers' pub. However, I do find Brunning & Price pubs to be fairly reliable. So, a decent start to our day in West Sussex.