Rose & Crown, Rye

Traditional village pub with a real fire in the main seating / dining area to the left of the smaller bar with draped hop-bines above the counter, and another small room off to the right. Brighter than one might expect inside, due to the light paintwork / furniture and the relatively large windows. Pub-grub menu. With three of the four handpumps in use, there was the obligatory Harvey's (£4.70) and regular Landlord plus The Reeve's from Canterbury Ales as a guest.

The Rose and Crown has an L-shaped interior with bar to the right and sofa type seating down the left to the rear where a dartboard and pool table can be found. To the right of the bar is a separate sunken seating area which I imagine is used by diners. This is a Sussex country pub, so it was no surprise to see hops lining the top of the bar. The television was off during my recent Saturday afternoon visit, but BT Sport is shown here. Open mic night is advertised for Mondays. I do not recall any background music but there was a decent local crowd in attendance who were generating a good atmosphere. Standard keg is available from the bar alongside San Miguel and I counted four hand pumps that were drawing Harveys Best, Timothy Taylor Landlord, Weltons Horsham Pale and Parkway Brewing’s Who’s a Cheeky Monkey. Traditional pub mains are available all under £10 and there is an extensive sandwich/baguette menu. Parking is found to the right rear of the pub and across the road from the front of the pub. To the left of the pub is a decked covered smoking area and large grass covered beer garden that slopes off towards the rear. There are plenty of picnic tables and an old children’s swing. There is also a gravel boules court that was hosting an intense game during my visit. The governor of the Harveys pub was very friendly and welcoming. I would have no problem returning here.

Country pub that is in the 2014 GBG. Fairly standard olde building, the interior is a little careworn in places (aged carpet) but is generally comfortable. Knocked-through a bit but a discernible public/lounge divide is in evidence, with a separate dining room (pub grub) off to the right. Large model planes hanging from the ceiling, real fire, pool table, collection of comfy chairs from Granny’s house clearance. Large sloped grassed beer garden to rear overlooking the valley. Friendly locals, welcoming of our group and the mutt in tow was offered all manner of treats. Four ales with a fair range: TT Landlord, Harvey’s Sussex Best (decent) , Cotleigh Mild (so-so but then again it is Cotleigh) and one from Cottage, all competitively-priced. Decent place, worth stopping for.