The New Inn, Winchelsea

The New Inn is a Greene King pub on a corner opposite the historic St Thomas’s church in the ancient town of Winchelsea. The interior of the pub is L shaped with seating at the front and a bar to the rear right beyond a log fire that was just starting to crackle when I visited with my family on a recent Thursday afternoon. At the rear of the pub is a ‘dining area’ that is really just a good sized rear bar. The walls are adorned with old prints, maps and photos of the area and the fixtures and fittings give off a cosy country pub feel which is in keeping with the surroundings of the town. This pub opens at 11:00 every day, but during the week it is closed from 15:00 until 17:30. Food is available and the mains are prices around the £9 mark. There is a lunchtime menu with smaller and cheaper dishes and there is a small children’s menu. My misses liked her food and my scampi and chips were as satisfactory as scampi and chips can be. The kids weren’t very impressed as their sausages were burnt. The bar is stocked with a standard draught range and supports four hand pumps. One of these was unused and the Old Speckled Hen was off leaving a disappointing choice between Greene King IPA and Abbot Ale. I didn’t note the presence of any televisions, but there was some very low background music playing. There is a weekly quiz every Tuesday from 20:30 and an upcoming dine with the Rat Pack evening was heavily advertised. Hikers are welcome, but they must leave muddy boots at the door. Our canine friends are not as lucky as there is a no dogs policy. At the rear of the pub are a car park and a couple of picnic tables for smokers. There is an advertised secret garden behind a wall at the rear of the car park. This is an enclosed grass covered area with some picnic tables and trees. With the closure of the Bridge Inn this place is the only proper pub in the village. I found it to be very pleasant, but the ale selection is very poor. The clientele seemed like a discerning and affluent crowd who I think would appreciate some decent brews from some local suppliers rather than the GK standard. I also thought that the food was overpriced for what it was, but the service was very friendly. I wouldn’t make a special trip to Winchelsea just to visit this pub again.

When in this area, my second choice establishment after the Queens Head at Icklesham. Situated in the delightful and picturesque hilltop village of Winchelsea, this pub offers good food, well-kept (if limited) ale and a pleasant environment in which to enjoy them.