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Detail Pages
The May Garland Inn, Heathfield
Horam
Postal town: Heathfield
TN21 0LJ
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 4½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The May Garland
The May garland closed in 2011 for a major refurbishment and it had still not opened before I stopped passing through the area at the end of 2012. Having not visited before I jumped at the chance when it arose on the last Sunday of January. Being on the edge of nowhere it was no surprise to find ample parking for designated drivers and diners. At the rear of the pub is a large decked seating area and children’s play area. A ramp gives wheelchair access from the car park to the entrance at the rear of the pub. To the right of the entrance is a function room that is available for hire. This is the location of monthly Acoustic Open Mic Night that takes place on the fourth Wednesday of each month. Random events are also held in the function room such as the free entry 70s, 80s and 90s party than took place this month.
To the left of the entrance is the bar that is bookended by left and right hand seating areas. Both seating areas have a log fire and access is gained to the toilets beyond the left hand side. A piano and dartboard are found in the right hand area where there is also a rolled up projector screen. The television was also off during my visit, but BT Sports was advertised. The central bar supports plenty of hand pumps, but five of these were unused leaving Long Man Brewery’s Best Bitter and Harvey’s Best as the only ale options. The keg options comprised Tiger Beer, Amstel, Fosters and Guinness alongside Symonds Founders Reserve and Cloudy Apple ciders. I didn’t get to look at a food menu, but there were lots of people tucking in to the Sunday roast that looked very appetising.
The function room is not the only location of entertainment because I noted that two quizzes were due to take place and live music is held in the bar every fourth Friday of the month. Also, the second Thursday of each month is open mic/jam night.
To be honest I was expecting a gastro pub so I was pleasantly surprised to find a pub that retains a local community feel. Location dictates that I will probably not visit this pub again in the foreseeable future, but I would have no problem returning if I find myself local again.
On 22nd February 2016
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5276 recommendations about 5244 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Wynne Route left this review about The May Garland
Builders say will open soon !
On 8th May 2012
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 350 recommendations about 335 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Manky Badger left this review about The May Garland
On reflection, I'm never happy to judge a pub harshly. But the beer selection was rubbish – there's no getting away from that. Six hand pumps – only one working. And that serving Harvey's Best. Not a bad beer, but Harvey's Best is to Sussex what MasterBrew is to Kent. You get it everywhere.
The landlord simply couldn't care less – that much was obvious. But the food was OK. It's just that having become something of an aficionado of pub grub lately, I have had a lot of pub meals which have been a lot better. This place is a victim of the rising standards of pubs in general – it's got a bit of a mountain to climb to reach the standard of the rest.
It could do better, and so in my book that rates 3/10. Sorry.
On 29th March 2009
- rating: 3
[User has posted 155 recommendations about 154 pubs]