The Golden Cross Inn, Hailsham

I’ve driven past the Golden Cross many a time on my way from London to Eastbourne along the A22 and Monday afternoon last week was the first time I had the opportunity to pop in and have a butchers. The misses parked the motor in the large car park to the left of the pub and on the way to the entrance I walked down a couple of steps and passed three picnic tables before entering the pub. I was a tad disappointed as any character that this place may have had has been stripped out and the seating was minimal to say the least. A sign outside advertises two new log fires and one is found in each side of the bar, but they are quite small. The right hand side of the pub has some seating and a small section of bar that supports a hand pump that was drawing Harveys Best and the left hand side is where the main bar area is, but the drinks selection is hardly anymore inspiring with Old Ale joining the harveys and a limited draught selection of Fosters, Becks and Stowford Press cider. Oh I forgot to mention the Surger Guinness that comes fresh out of a can and overflows the glass leaving the buyer with three quarters of a pint of slop. I asked for it to be topped up, but that is impossible as it would mean opening another specially manufactured can! The plasma screen in the bar area was off and I didn’t spot any Sky Sports advertised, but there was some modern pop music playing in the background via a radio station. Food is served and there is a function/dining room at the rear of the pub. I got the feeling listening to the two locals in attendance that this pub is often closed between lunch and dinner, but I didn’t see any opening times. There is a small fenced in area to the rear that I took as being a little beer garden, but I did not visit. The toilets are nice with individual towels for hand drying and some holly, mint and rosemary hand lotion is on hand, but I’d rather have had draught Guinness. The Golden Cross seasonal Caravan holiday site is found at the rear so at least there is a captive audience for half the year! The two young girls on duty were friendly, but I do not plan to drink in this pub again in the near future.