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Image posted by paulof horsham
Submitted on Monday, 13th September 2021
With picture contributions to 5502 other pubs
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Detail Pages
The Dorset, Lewes
Cliffe
Postal town: Lewes
BN7 2RD
Served areas

Reviews of The Dorset (Average Rating: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Dorset
A slightly hidden away Harvey's local on the side-street out of Cliffe to (South) Malling, with a bar that has been opened out and refurbished at some stage but its character probably remains little altered in recent years. The most notable feature is probably the effigy of a cardinal (?) beside the front door, explained by this being the home of one of the (in)famous Lewes bonfire societies. Anyway, on the real ale front, Sussex and the Old Ale (£4.40, and in excellent condition) were available from the pair of handpumps.
On 8th November 2020
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8588 recommendations about 8588 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about The Dorset
Traditional Harvey's pub with six handpumps and a decent range of Harveys Beers. Refurbed a good number of years ago ,its smart but I found it to be rather characterless and not a place I would make a bee-line to if back in Lewes.
On 19th July 2019
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2122 recommendations about 2091 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about The Dorset
The Dorset is a Harvey’s pub with a decent location, close to the town centre and brewery, but tucked away so as to avoid the majority of the tourist crush. Entering at the front, there is a choice of bars, with a pleasant snug to the right with limited seating and a small fireplace, and a saloon bar to the left. This area has a few standard tables and chairs, dark red walls and muted lighting all of which creates a nice ambiance. There are some nice features here including some examples of stained and etched glass, which the area at the back of the pub seems to have missed out on. This rear area is partly carpeted, partly tiled with some comfy sofas arranged in front of a nice open range which was lit on my visit. This fireplace also serves a small, three table dining space behind, which has some old photos of other Harvey’s pubs on the wall. A door here leads out to a large paved area with lots of picnic benches around a gnarly old tree and stairs lead up to the B&B accommodation, with 6 en suite rooms available. Music was playing throughout my stay at a decent level, although there was a distressingly high proportion of Justin Bieber-esque rubbish.
Three ales and two real ciders were available, with Harvey’s Best, Old Ale and Bonfire Boy on the hand pumps. I gave the Old Ale a try and was pleased to find it in very good nick. The staff were young but personable and prompt in their service.
As others have said, this place doesn’t quite hit the mark in terms of character, although I thought there were glimpses of potential. In isolation, this is a pretty good pub, but taken in the context of Lewes’ other excellent ale houses, it doesn’t quite make the grade.
On 30th November 2012
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3322 recommendations about 3322 pubs]
View more reviews of The Dorset (9)
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- Official site of The Dorset - www.thedorsetlewes.co.uk
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Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : Yes last updated 28 July 2022 by paulof horsham
- Beer Garden : Yes last updated 28 July 2022 by paulof horsham
- Child Friendly : Yes last updated 28 July 2022 by paulof horsham
- Darts : Yes last updated 28 July 2022 by paulof horsham
- Function Room : Yes last updated 28 July 2022 by paulof horsham
- Hot Food : Yes last updated 29 July 2013 by Dave McNally
- Micropub : No last updated 28 July 2022 by paulof horsham
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 30 November 2012 by Will Larter
- Real Cider : Yes last updated 30 November 2012 by Will Larter
- WiFi : Yes last updated 28 July 2022 by paulof horsham