The Heath Tavern, Haywards Heath

Visited 01/07/26. Visited previously 27/07/20. Cask here was a single hand pump dispensing on each of two sets of three hand pumps and providing Harvey's Sussex Best which was in excellent nick. Keg offering of Guinness, Carling, Fosters, Magners, Stella, Pravha, Amstel, Moretti, Traditional pub a little out of the very centre of Haywards Heath. Carpeted apart from a tile skirt around the bar counter which is in the centre of the L shaped venue. To the left of the bar counter is an area with a pool table with some fabric banquette seating around and some regular tables and chairs at the rear of that side. Over to the front and right-hand side of the venue are regular tables and chairs and a dart board that requires a couple of tables to be moved to be in play. There is some picnic bench seating around the front entrance.

The bar at the Heath Tavern runs along the front wall between left hand and right hand entrances. There are two banks of three handpumps, each badged with Harvey’s Best, which wasn’t in great condition. The ten or so locals in attendance were watching Nations League football on terrestrial TV and cricket on Sky Sports. The bar faces red carpeted seating areas that run around the exterior walls and there is a pool table and dartboard. The jukebox was off. The barmaid was polite, but there was a drunk nobhead showing off at the bar. This isn’t a pub that I’ll be rushing back to.

Rather oddly painted in two shades of green, but I didn't let that put me off. I had taken a wrong turning, due to recent road improvements having made my map out of date, and thought I could combine a swift half of Harveys Sussex Best with checking directions to Ditchling, Plumpton and Lewes. I was successful with both endeavours, though the bitter was nearly as old as my map and only more drinkable by a narrow margin. I didn't complain, because the only other pump clip in sight on the bar was for Old Rosie cider.