The Lazy Fox, Crowborough

We chose this one as a lunchtime stop on our way down to the south coast due to its proximity to the A267 Tunbridge Wells Road and in that respect it did not disappoint. Internally it is now as detailed in the review below. You enter to face the main bar and the area to the right still has the feeling of a pub lounge with comfortable padded seating and large wooden tables. Then the area to the left resembles and indeed functions as a restaurant. This section is where the Elite Pub Co spent the money and now benefits from a very large modern light and airy square extension which has huge glass doors that open out to the garden beyond and the paved outside section that runs alongside the extension. Both the grassed garden and paved area provide excellent views of the High Weald. The food was very good but unfortunately I couldn’t say the same about the beer. Only two real ales that I could see and the Doom Bar clip was reversed leaving just Harvey’s Sussex Best which was OK but a bit thin and frankly not a patch on the same pints I experience in Eastbourne later in the week. For a food let pub for lunch or evening meal I thoroughly recommend this one but glad I don’t live in Mark Cross and have this one as my local for a pint.

Taken over by the local Elite Pubs mini-chain in ?2021, the former Mark Cross Inn has been comprehensively refurbished and extended in their usual upmarket country pub style. Plenty of general seating in the old part at the front, but the dining areas beyond the bar are much larger. There are splendid views across the High Weald from the side patio terrace and rear beer garden (which also has a row of three 'beach huts' and a children's play area). Another plus is the friendly and helpful staff here. Doom Bar and - of course - Harvey's (£4.90) from two of the four handpumps.