The Ringles Cross, Ringles Cross, Uckfield

As Uckfield has expanded with the development of relatively new housing estates Ringles Cross has been swallowed up and is now the North edge of Uckfield. The Ringles Cross pub is located at a fork in the London Road that can have a constant stream of traffic passing through. Nevertheless this pub does have a rustic out of town feel. To the right of the pub is a car park that stretches around to the rear. At the rear of the pub fenced off from the car park is a patio garden with picnic tables, some of which are covered. More picnic tables can be found beside a fenced children’s play area beyond the rear of the car park. Inside the pub the right hand side is used as a small dining area. Every day lunch is available from midday until 15:00 and dinner from 18:00 until 21:00. The ‘gastro pub quality’ mains are priced between £9 for roasted bubble and squeak and £17 for a 10oz sirloin steak. The bar, found to the left of the dining area, faces an attractive brick fireplace on the left hand wall. A couple of steps lead up from the bar to a plasma screen, which was off, and a room at the rear that houses a pool table and dartboard. My visit was early on a recent Saturday afternoon not long before a Euro 2016 football match which I imagine was shown on the plasma screen via the BBC. I didn’t spot any signs for Sky/BT Sports, but there was some background music playing. Live music of varying genres is held here on Friday evenings from 21:00 and there are various events such as open mic and acoustic evenings throughout each month. I found the service to be friendly from staff that were tending the bar that supports a standard keg range. I noted the presence of four hand pumps, one of which was unused. The available cask options were Harvey’s best, Sharp’s Atlantic and Weston’s Henry Westons Vintage Cider. The usual opening hours are adhered to, except that the doors do not open until midday. This is a pleasant enough pub with amiable staff that I would have no problem returning to if passing through the area.