The Flying Fish, Newhaven

An odd place, now buried in a housing estate north-east of Newhaven, but obviously much older than its neighbours. Anyway, it comprises four main areas along the frontage: the bar where you enter, a separate lounge on either side and a games area further on to the left. Also, as a Shepherd Neame house, I was surprised to find Harvey's (£5.00) on the bank of five handpumps, along with Bishops Finger (that was playing up when I asked for it originally).

Official site of The Flying Fish - www.flyingfishdenton.co.uk

Official site of The Flying Fish - www.flyingfishdenton.co.uk

The Flying Fish is a Shepherd Neame pub in Denton, which is a short walk northeast from Newhaven Railway Station. The lights were out in left hand side of the pub that is laid out like a restaurant and the bar area is located in the centre of the building where there is a piano and an open fire. To the right is an area that is decked out with sofas and houses a dartboard. During my visit on Tuesday evening a couple of weeks ago the staff were using this area as a den, but to be fair I didn’t have to wait long at the bar. The selection of drinks from the bar was poor as the Leffe and Asahi were both off leaving Oranjeboom as the only draught option. Two of the five hand pumps were unused and the Bishop’s Finger was off leaving Master Brew and Spitfire as the ale options. Food is served and the two mains that I saw were a brace of duck legs for £11 and fillet of sea base for £13. There was some background music playing, but I didn’t spot any televisions. As far as I know the outside seating consists of some picnic tables outside the front along with a covered seating area to the right of the pub. The Flying Fish has the feel of a seaside pub, but I thought that it was below par. It was certainly not worth the climb over a church wall and the trudge through a graveyard that I had to endure after taking a wrong turn on the way there.