Pub 31, Winchelsea

Steve of N21 left this review about Pub 31

I too wasn’t expecting a lot from this one due to its location next to the substantial Winchelsea Sands Holiday Park and part of a trio of delights, along with Ben’s fish and chip shop and Zippo’s Kebab and pizza takeaway, aimed at the happy caravaners. Also, the outside vista is not promising as it more resembles a black prefab box reminiscent of estate pubs than a traditional pub.
However inside it does feel more like a proper traditional pub with a large stone fireplace, black and white period photos of the area, a separate section with a pool table and a bar area with assorted breweriana around it. The bar supports the usual keg suspects with two ale handpumps, but only one was badged for my visit with a passable Longman Best Bitter.
There were not many inside on this particular fine weather lunchtime with most punters choosing to use the outside benches on the shingle front garden with its fine view of the passing traffic. I also took my half out here, but soon realised that most others were here not so much for a need to be exposed to sun rays rather than a need to indulge in tobacco products.
If I was staying in the holiday park next door, then I would be happy to use it. But if you have walked here along the coast or through the Rye Marina nature reserve and are looking for a pub with decent food and a fine garden, the nearby Ship Inn wins that one in spades.
The pub takes its name from it being on the site of the 31st Martello tower, counting from East to West. That’s sadly now gone but numbers 28 and 30 still exist in nearby Rye if you are into that sort of thing.

On 2^nd September 2023 - rating: 5
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