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Submitted on Sunday, 18th October 2020
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Detail Pages
The Wheatsheaf Inn, Eastbourne
Willingdon
Postal town: Eastbourne
BN20 9HP
Served areas
Reviews of The Wheatsheaf Inn (Average Rating: 8 of 10) see review guidelines
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Wheatsheaf Inn
Although now swallowed in the northern suburbs of Eastbourne, this remains a 'village pub' in appearance and spirit. Partly opened out inside, but it retains two bars linked by a passageway at the back, together with a dining area on the left-hand side. Mind you, on a hot early summer day, most customers were understandably out in the rear patio terrace beer garden. Duplicated selection of three local beers on the two banks of three handpumps: Long Man and Long Blonde (£5.65) from Long Man plus Harvey's. NB - Marked down a bit due to annoyingly slow service at an uncrowded bar.
On 27th June 2025
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8813 recommendations about 8813 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Wheatsheaf Inn
What an excellent pub to be the 1000th pub that I’ve reviewed on Pubs Galore. I see it as proof that my efforts have not gone unrewarded, and as a sign that I should continue zealously my efforts. Spotting this pub down a side street off the main Willingdon Village road at dusk, illuminated in a warm and welcoming way, it was a no-brainer when one one of my companions suggested we drop in for a swift one. The structure and internal layout remains as described by other posters. The door in the centre through which we entered is still signed as the Public Bar, with the connected room on the right probably originally being the Saloon Bar. It’s low-ceilinged and dark-beamed as any self-respecting country pub should be. I detected something of a musical theme, with a piano at the back of the right hand bar, with an accordion resting on it and a guitar suspended from the ceiling. The bar counter in the saloon bar section, and the windows at the back, look relatively modern, but the rest appears original or at least pretty ancient. The walls are covered with all manner of interesting prints. All the tables bore a small vase containing a sprig of carnations, which Mrs R considered to be a big plus factor.
The ale selection is at least as good as experienced by previous reviewers. They had Timothy Taylor Landlord, Harvey’s Best, Skinner’s Betty Stogs, and Beachy Head Legless Rambler on handpump, supplemented by a cask of Harvey’s Old gravity dispensed on the bar counter. I didn’t see a menu, but there was a Sunday buffet available (evidently also available on Boxing Day) for £6.50 a pop. I didn’t get a close look at what was available, but I did see a range of sandwiches as well as a selection of cheeses.
We really enjoyed our short sojourn here and I for one would be delighted if I could find my way here for another pint or two sometime.
On 29th December 2011
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2607 recommendations about 2521 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Wheatsheaf Inn
An ancient-looking inn with retro Courage branding located in the pretty village of Willingdon, which I sampled on the strength of Steve’s review below. On approach off the main road to Eastbourne, the pub is rather overshadowed a looming tree opposite which gives it an almost woodland feel. It’s large inside, with a two room arrangement, linked by a knocked through wall at the far end of the island bar, with a small extra room leading off to the left and a functional garden to the rear. The interior has lost a bit of character by the looks of it, too many botched ‘improvements’ undertaken in the 70’s I think. Four ales available - Harveys Sussex Best, Timothy Taylor Landlord, Hop Back Summer Lightning and Skinners Betty Stoggs, along with some interesting bottled ales (Harveys Elizabeth, Hepworth and others). We managed three of the four ales and the condition of each was good and prices reasonable. Tempted by the food, we tucked into some excellent stuff and my rabbit pie hit the spot; I’d say it’s well-worth eating here – the food was clearly home-cooked fayre and worth the extra couple of quid compared to the usual deep-fried gubbins elsewhere. Service behind the bar was friendly too.
A really enjoyable visit and I’d recommend it to anyone finding themselves in the area.
On 23rd August 2011
- rating: 8
[User has posted 5657 recommendations about 5638 pubs]
View more reviews of The Wheatsheaf Inn (4)
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- Official site of The Wheatsheaf Inn, contains menus and event details - www.thewheatsheafinnwillingdon.co.uk
- Facebook - Wheatsheaf Inn
- CAMRA WhatPub :: The Wheatsheaf Inn - whatpub.com
Polegate, 1.75 miles, 33 min walk (show)
Eastbourne, 2.8 miles, 54 min walk (show)
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 28 August 2015 by Strongers .
- Beer Festivals : Yes last updated 28 August 2015 by Strongers .
- Beer Garden : Yes last updated 28 August 2015 by Strongers .
- Car Park : Yes last updated 28 August 2015 by Strongers .
- Child Friendly : Yes last updated 28 August 2015 by Strongers .
- Darts : No last updated 28 August 2015 by Strongers .
- Dog Friendly : Yes last updated 28 August 2015 by Strongers .
- Function Room : Yes last updated 28 August 2015 by Strongers .
- Hot Food : Yes - Tue to Sat 12-3 & 6-9; Sun 12-3 - last updated 28 August 2015 by Strongers .
- Live Music : Yes last updated 28 August 2015 by Strongers .
- Micropub : No last updated 28 August 2015 by Strongers .
- Pinball : No last updated 28 August 2015 by Strongers .
- Pool Table : No last updated 28 August 2015 by Strongers .
- Quiz Night : Yes - Tuesdays from 20:30 - last updated 28 August 2015 by Strongers .
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 28 August 2015 by Strongers .
- Real Cider : No last updated 28 August 2015 by Strongers .
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