The Kings Head, Rye

Country pub in a splendid position on the ridge overlooking the Brede and Tillingham valleys on each side. Very traditional inside, even though this has been mostly opened out, with seating / dining areas on each side of the central bar. Good views from the beer garden. Just the regular Harvey's (£4.30) from the four handpumps, although the Old Ale was coming on tomorrow so I was sad to have missed that.

A strangely subdued pub, with hardly anyone here at the time of our visit during the afternoon opening period (it's closed between 3 and 6 during the week). Just the two beers available, doubled up on the four hand pumps: Harveys Sussex Best and IPA. We had two halves of the Best and I was quite surprised to be charged £3.80 - especially as a blackboard on the wall clearly stated that the beer was on sale at £3.50 a pint. I can to some extent understand, though still deprecate, the practice of charging more than half the price of a pint for a half when using a swan neck and tight sparkler, but in this part of the world when there is no more time and effort expended in pouring two halves than in pouring a pint, I can't see any justification. Date of visit: 1st September 2016

Set on the picturesque Udimore Ridge,this is a farmhouse type building at right angles to the road, with a venerable oaktree in the car park. I’d been here once before, probably in the 80’s, with a group from my then local. It hasn’t changed much, and I think the same family run it. For a summer Saturday lunchtime it was worryingly quiet,but the landlord was very friendly, and told us how he brought the fish up from Rye on the back of his motorbike.Indeed, the fish’n’chips was very fresh. Adnams ‘The Bitter’ and Harveys Sussex Best Bitter were on handpump and the Adnams , at least, in good nick. A dog friendly pub, it would be good to see it busier.