Yew Tree Inn, Polegate

Village pub, with a refurbished, simply decorated bar to the right of the entrance doorway, and a larger dining room with a less rustic look stretching back on the left-hand side. Just Long Man's Best Bitter (£4.60) available from a pair of handpumps.

I tried to visit the Yew Tree Inn a few weeks ago, but the doors had just been locked for the afternoon. There was a couple drinking at one of the four picnic tables outside the front door and they didn’t even know that the pub had closed. Anyway, forewarned is forearmed so I looked up the opening times this morning (Monday) and decided to pay this pub an overdue visit. Taking into account that this pub shuts at 14:00 for the afternoon I arrived just after 13:00 and found the pub a quarter full of people of pensioner age. Owing to the secluded location this is a food orientated pub and a quick scan of the menu revealed traditional pub food priced around the £9 mark. I saw a few plates of food being dished out and I must say that there were some very generous portions making the reasonable pricing for the area seem very good value for money. People were eating throughout the main bar area to the left of the entrance and in the seating area at the rear that leads to a conservatory that was also busy with diners. There another is a seating area to the right of the entrance that is a very comfortable spot for a beer and the dartboard is an added bonus. The décor is pretty much what one would expect from a rural pub down a country lane in walking country and like any self-respecting country pub there are fresh eggs for sale. The bar is stocked with a limited range of standard draught and disappointingly the two hand pumps were both drawing Harvey’s Best. The governor seemed polite enough and the young staff collecting plates all had smiles on their faces. There is a large grass covered beer garden at the rear with some seating and the owners had thoughtfully placed lots of toddler toys at the rear to keep the wee ones occupied. A large car park is found to the left of the pub and at the rear of this is a small play area for older children that do not need supervision as there is no seating for adults to get comfortable. The beer choice isn’t great, but this is a lovely country pub that is worth popping into for a bite to eat if in the area.

Official site of the Yew Tree Inn, contains menu - www.yewtree-inn.co.uk

Despite the nominal 3 o'clock closing time, I was able to order and finish a fine pint of Harveys Old, with no hint that I was outstaying my welcome. The menu is extensive and, presumably, highly-regarded locally, if the non-stop phone calls requesting reservations on my brief visit are anything to go by. The emphasis is quite clearly on the food, but The Yew Tree definitely has the feel of a village local.