The Red Lion, Battle

Would be quite an imposing building for such a small village, were it not for the row of French-style pollarded trees (of the sort that you half expect might have a pétanque pitch alongside) partly obscuring the façade. Anyway, you enter the main bar and dining area but there would seem to be a second one off to the right (although this has a 'closed for private function' sign on it when I visited). Also has a few wooden benches at the front and a snug on the way through to the partly sheltered beer garden at the back. Just Harvey's (£5.50) available from the four handpumps.

Previously a farmhouse, the Red Lion is a picturesque pub found in the small village of Hooe. Out the front is some parking separated from the pub by a line of small trees. Out the back is a well-kept beer garden with picnic tables. The rustic interior comprises a rectangular main bar area with inglenook in the left-hand wall and a wood burning fireplace on the right wall. Next to the fireplace is a door that leads to a snug that has access to the right-hand end of the bar. During my recent Saturday afternoon visit this snug was full of dog walkers. To the left rear of the pub is another small seating area, again with an inglenook. There was some low background music playing in the snug where a television was switched off. A function room is advertised, which I imagine must be on the 1st floor. The bar supports four hand pumps, two of which were off and the other two were badged with Harveys Best. The keg available was Curious Brew, Kronenburg, Carling, Amstel, Boddingtons, Guinness and Symonds Cider. Locally sourced food is available. I didn’t note prices, but I would expect the mains to be priced around £15. I found the service to be very friendly and this is a cosy Sussex pub, the sort I would take the family to for some lunch.