Eastbourne pub The Lamb Inn wins CAMRA community award

The Lamb Inn in Eastbourne has been named Community Pub of the Year 2026 by the South East Sussex branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).

CAMRA is a volunteer-led consumer organisation that campaigns for pubs and consumer choice and champions independent brewers.

It gave the award to members of staff at The Lamb Inn on November 10.

General manager Natalie Lennol has been running the pub, which is owned by Harvey's, for 16 years.

She said the recognition as an outstanding community pub, and its inclusion in CAMRA's Good Beer Guide, were a "real honour".

The pub's general manager Natalie Lennol, alongside her husband John (Image: Supplied)

Mrs Lennol said the pub hosts a choir on Mondays and a book club on Tuesdays.

"On Wednesdays, we've got the folk club", she added. "That's been going on here for about 35 years."

"We do a quiz night, we do board game nights, live music. We get a couple of reading groups and deaf groups that come in.

"The door's open at any time."

The manager said punters come to the pub not just for a pint, but for companionship too.

Ms Lennol said: "We get quite a lot of single people coming in as well. They feel safe coming in here.

"People are welcome to come for a bit of companionship really, chat to the staff and whoever else is in here."

The Lamb Inn has been described as one of the oldest pubs in England (Image: Wikimedia)

She said the pub also focuses on having a good selection of ales on.

The Lamb Inn was among the Eastbourne pubs included in CAMRA's 2026 Good Beer Guide. It has previously been praised by The Telegraph as one of England's oldest pubs.

Ms Lennol, who grew up in Sussex, said she had come to the Lamb Inn as a manager and had now spent 16 years there.

She said: "I've just started my 17th year. I love it.

"It's my home. All the staff and the customers are like a family."

Asked what makes a good pub, Ms Lennol said: "I love old traditional pubs.

"I love the traditional good service - customers are greeted with a smile, and they leave smiling."

Assistant manager Emily receiving the award from a CAMRA member on November 10 (Image: Supplied)

The Lamb Inn is located at 36 High Street in Eastbourne Old Town.

A post announcing the award on social media reads: "We’re delighted to have been awarded The Community Pub Of The Year by CAMRA.

"It's an amazing achievement and one we’re very proud of.

"Thank you to all our loyal customers, we couldn’t be community pub of the year without the community!"