The Blacksmith's Arms, Lewes

Traditional pub in a prominent position on the A22 / B2192 roundabout. Probably remodelled somewhat over time, but the main entrance still leads to the bar / dining area, with a pool room off to the right and what is now the village shop in a separate room on the left-hand side. Also has a rear function room and a small patio garden at the front. With only one of a pair of handpumps in use, it was absolutely no surprise to find Harvey's (£4.80) being served.

Official site of The Blacksmith's Arms - www.blacksmithsarmshalland.co.uk

Official site of The Blacksmith's Arms - www.blacksmithsarmshalland.co.uk

I visited the Black Lion on Friday evening a couple of weeks ago and it was very quiet, but this may have been due to the snow and ice as the surrounding roads were very treacherous. The only other two customers were American tourists that were staying in the bed and breakfast that is available from £39 a night and they seemed very happy, especially when the friendly governor gave them a couple of bar towels to take away as a memento of their stay. The actual bar area isn’t the biggest as the larger right hand side of the building is used as a dining room where mains are available around the £10 mark. There were two unused hand pumps on the bar, but Harveys was available from a third and a limited standard draught range was also available alongside Asahi. The bar area has a cottage feel with an open fire that was crackling away and some books on shelves that are available for reading, but it does feel like it has had a cheap 1970s makeover. There is a plasma screen which was off and I saw no Sky Sports advertised, but the greatest hits of Queen were playing in the background. Live music in the form of electric blues was advertised for the following night (Saturday) and there is a happy hour(s) from 16:00 until 18:00 every week day. Outside there is a car park for the use of pub patrons and some picnic tables can be found near the smoking area that is covered by a jumbrella. Based on this visit I’m not sure that I would go out of my way to visit again, but it was very quiet and the governor was very friendly so maybe I will give it another chance when next passing when the weather is a little more clement.