The Pig & Butcher, Uckfield

Facebook page of The Pig & Butcher - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of The Pig & Butcher - www.facebook.com

As the mural on the side wall says, this distinctive building was originally a Ballard & Co pub then Page & Overton house before being bought by Harvey's in 2008. It retains a two-room layout, with an extended but slightly cramped bar to the right (containing both pool and bar billiards tables) and a lounge / restaurant to the left (fully booked on a Sunday lunchtime). In between these, what was probably the original jug and bottle hatch directly opposite the entrance is now a narrow counter for the central servery, just wide enough for three barstools. Good choice of the brewery's beers from the various handpumps: Sussex best bitter, IPA, Old Ale (£5.60 with a packet of Salty Dog crisps, and fresh on as the last barrel of the season) and Armada.

Official site of The Pig & Butcher - www.pigandbutcheruckfield.co.uk

Official site of The Pig & Butcher - www.pigandbutcheruckfield.co.uk

Five Ash Down and the Pig and Butcher are a bit of a trek from the centre of Uckfield. Out the front of the pub is limited parking, but I’m pretty sure it is also OK to park on the long kerb over the road. There are some steps up to a decked seating area that runs across the front of the pub. There is also a small patio garden out the back with more seating and a little raised grass covered area. To the right of the entrance is a public bar that houses a pool table and a flat screen TV. I didn’t spot any advertisements for Sky/BT Sports, but I imagine that the background music would have been switched off for the next Euro 2016 match on the Saturday afternoon I visited. To the left of the entrance is a small seating area with a fireplace. There is more seating to the left rear where access is gained to the aforementioned patio garden. Standard keg products and Amstel were available from the bar which also supported Harvey’s Best and Sussex Champion on cask. I didn’t see a menu, but food is available because I noted the offer of a meal and a pint for £10 every Tuesday. This is a reasonable Harvey’s establishment but I’m not sure that I would endure the walk again.