Arlington Old Oak Inn best pub in Sussex, say Argus readers

We asked you to vote for your favourite places for a summer drink. 

And the pub you chose goes above and beyond. With a Michelin star-trained chef in charge of the kitchen, the menu at the Old Oak Inn features pub classics along with modern, international dishes.

The Old Oak Inn (Image: Supplied)

The Arlington pub, just outside Eastbourne, has an extensive wine cellar for its carefully curated selection of beverages.

Landlady Kate Maynard and her husband Paul bought the 300-year-old inn in November 2020.

Kate said: "We are thrilled that the public have voted the Old Oak Inn as their favourite pub in Sussex.

"We are grateful to everyone who has supported us since we came here.

"Our front of house staff go out of their way to provide a really warm welcome to all of our customers and our head chef and his kitchen team work to the highest standards."

Landlady Kate Maynard with the pub's kitchen staff (Image: Supplied)

The low beams, engravings and log fireplaces give the pub a cosy feel but in the summer it is popular with horse riders, cyclists and dog walkers from the nearby Abbots Wood stopping off to cool down.

There are views from the pub garden of the Cuckmere Valley towards the Bluebell Woods with Wilmington and Firle in the distance.

The Old Oak Inn pub garden (Image: Supplied)

Kate said: “The pub was a lockdown purchase and it has been a steep learning curve. We have invested heavily behind the scenes, which was not only essential to maintain our five star food hygiene rating but also in outdoor lighting and a large pergola which is the focus of many of our music nights.

"We both love live music and have jazz every other Sunday lunchtime and local musicians of all genres perform on Friday and Saturday nights during the summer, which is proving really popular. There is always something happening, whether it is our monthly quiz, board game or folk nights."