Burrell Arms, Haywards Heath

Much improved pub, handy for the railway station opposite. Refurbished in a typical modern style, with various high tables and stools, grey paintwork and mix of tiled/stone/wood floors. The left side holds a pool table and there are several TVs showing sports, but not too intrusively unless a big game on. There is a fair-sized outdoor area at the side and rear with many tables. Beers at time of visit were Speckled Hen, GK IPA and a GK special, which was at least in good form and quite drinkable.

I popped into the Burrell Arms on Friday evening as I had a half hour wait for my train down to the south coast. Being opposite that station I was expecting a transient crowd, but the pub was reasonably busy with a jubilant bunch of locals who all seemed harmless enough. There was some background music playing and plasma screens are found throughout for showing Sky Sports. There is a dartboard on the right hand wall and around to the right rear of the bar is a pool table. There is seating along the front windows and the main body of seating is to the left of the bar. A door at the rear gains access to an iron staircase that leads down to a good sized patio garden full of picnic tables. Advertisements around the pub plug the cheap generic draught range and there are various deals on bombs, shots and doubles. The bar supports three hand pumps, one of which was off leaving Sharp’s Doom Bar and Adnam’s Ghost Ship as the ale options. To be honest this place was better than I thought it would be because I visited here a year ago and found a pub full of kids and a young barman who was very rude. I was so unimpressed that I walked out and spent 30 minutes on the station platform, which was much more preferable to the pub. This is not a destination pub, but it is perfectly acceptable for a quick pint if passing through.

A rather typical West End pub with a single room downstairs bar and a function / overflow room upstairs. The downstairs bar is L shaped, not particularly spacious and getting a bit tatty in places. The carpets are wearing a bit thin and the dark red ceiling paper is beginning to show signs of age. Note the unusual front zig-zaggy windows. Can get extremely busy and very rarely have I been able to find anywhere to sit. Decently kept Greene King beers at reasonable prices. Wall displays of keys, suitcases, cigarette cards, old watches and old signs. Lots of wood paneling and the windows let in a reasonable natural light. Background music is rather nondescript. 2 well placed TVs and a games machine. I have found the service pretty good even when busy. Tends to attract a general West End mix of office workers and tourists and pretty much a trouble free environment. The resident dog tends to ignore you and is usually found slumped across the doorway. Not much to separate it from several other pubs in the area but worth staying a while if you can bag a place to sit.

Large, fairly ordinary locals' pub opposite the station. Friendly enough for a pint or two, although wouldn't make a special trip.