The Yew Tree Inn, Hailsham

Country pub with an inevitable focus on food, but not exclusively so. The brick-floored main bar area at the front is laid up for those dining, as is the conservatory to one side, but there is a smaller, darker bar at the back of the central servery, plus another couple of tables in the compact connecting room. Long Man Best Bitter (£4.50) available from a pair of handpumps, plus a couple of other beers from the same brewery on the keg taps.

Official site of The Yew Tree Inn - www.yewtreechalvington.com

Official site of The Yew Tree Inn - www.yewtreechalvington.com

The Yew Tree Inn is found down a lane in the East Sussex countryside where there is little hope of getting without some form of personal transport. Therefore food is high up on the agenda, but unlike some of the pubs in this area the Yew Tree Inn still has the feel of a proper pub. The food is served daily from midday until 15:00 and from 18:00 until 21:00 except for Sundays when food is available from midday until 16:00. My visit was on a recent weekday afternoon so I didn’t see the main menu, but I did have a ham baguette off the lunchtime menu which set me back £6. I have to say that it was very big and worth the money. The interior of the pub is made up by a compact U shaped bar area to the right that has a very low ceiling and some old features that probably date back to 1642 when this pub was supposedly built. One of these features is an old interior wall with a doorway that was designed for our ancestors who were hobbit like. Available from the bar is a limited range of standard draught and the two hand pumps were drawing Harvey’s Best and Longman Brewery’s Best. To the right of the entrance is an extension that is bright, airy and full of conventional seating and tables. There is also a dartboard on the wall and although the oche is blocked by a table it is easily moved out of the way. However, I would imagine a game of arrows is out of the question when the pub is very busy. Out the back is some covered seating and beyond there are lots of picnic tables on a large patio area. Away from the seating there is a children’s play area that comprises a climbing frame, swings and a slide. At the rear of the grounds of the pub is a large field where I am led to believe the pub’s cricket team plays. I found the service here to be very friendly and polite and there was a decent crowd out the back lapping up the first signs of sunshine for some time. This is certainly a very decent spot for a few afternoon beers, if someone can be persuaded into being the designated driver. I’ll be taking my family for a return visit over the summer months.