Where to eat
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Eating in Winchelsea
New Inn
On the junction of German Street and Hiham Gardens, at the western end of the High Street, opposite the Town Sign. 'New' actually means 1720. Nice beer garden. Parking at the back. Serves food. Public bar has a billiard table. Open all day. Does B&B. Recently changed management (brother and sister team, David and Gennette Stevens) and now very much improved, particularly the food. Chef Jason is producing interesting food at very reasonable prices. Can be recommended, 01797-226252.
Bridge Inn
On the road from Winchelsea to Rye, almost at the foot of Strand Hill. Built in 1545 as the Customs House. Serves food. Open all day. Large car park.
Winchelsea Lodge Motel
Situated at the bottom of the hill as one approaches Winchelsea along the A259 from the direction of Icklesham and Hastings.
Eating near Winchelsea
Queens Head, Icklesham
Take the A259 from Winchelsea towards Hastings. Drive into Icklesham (about 1 mile from Winchelsea) and, after about 100 metres, take the first right down a narrow lane (keep your eyes peeled for the entrance). Pub food. There is always an interesting selection of beers, including local brews. Occasional music in the evenings. Features in the Good Pub Guide. CAMRA Sussex Pub of the Year in 2005. Garden with lovely views towards Winchelsea. Play area for children. Large car park. Can get crowded at peak hours. Open all day. 01424-814552. There is a pleasant walk from Winchelsea across the fields or down side roads.
Globe Inn, Rye
Very comfortable and relaxed pub, almost a wine bar. Described as a ‘pub with restaurant’. Free house. Pleasant garden. Situated on the Military Road out of Rye towards Appledore. Lots of local produce. A tad on the expensive side for a pub, but par for the course for a restaurant. 01797-227918. Under new management.
 
The Mermaid, Rye
One of the most famous hotels in the world, situated on equally famous and cobbled Mermaid Street. Rebuilt in 1420. Very atmospheric. Since a change of ownership, the hotel has been cleaned up, but some of the new paintings are a little out of place. The restaurant now seems to cater for unadventurous foreign tourists by playing it safe: the food is still good but gone are old glories like steak tartare and chateaubriand. Nice lounges to sit in before and after dinner. Small car park through the arch but it can be awkward to turn into. 01797-223065.
Old Forge, Rye
The place for meat, especially char-grilled steak. Cooked in full view. However, there is some fish and it is local. As you drive into Rye from Winchelsea, at the first roundabout, go straight ahead into Wish Street. The Forge is on the right, just after the café. You will have to park elsewhere and then walk back. Well worth it. Strong on local produce. 01797-223227.
The Plough, Cock Marling/Udimore
Recently re-opened. Many good reports. Situated on the Udimore Road out of Rye. There is also a very pleasant walk from Winchelsea across the Brede Valley. 01797-223381.
Ypres Castle, Rye
Known locally as the 'Wipers'. Probably, the best pub in Rye. Built in 1640. Situated by the Gun Gardens off Church Square. There is also a footpath up from the Undercliff opposite the car park on the Salts. Good pub food including local fish. There is a detached garden looking across to the River Rother. 01797-223248.
Worth a trip from Winchelsea
The Mermaid, Hastings
On Rock-a-Nore Road in the Old Town. The other end of the social scale from its namesake in Rye, but simply the best fish and chips in the world. Inside, it is small and unprepossessing, so try to get one of the tables outside if the weather permits. Very generous portions, beautifully cooked and very good value. Efficient service. Have a look behind the counter at the subterranean kitchen. Next door to the Mermaid, there is a fish bar with two counters at which you can stand and eat anything from jellied eels to amazingly fresh oysters at bargain prices. There are great fish shops opposite. It is worth making a day of it and visiting the excellent Underwater World and Shipwreck Museum. You could even visit the amusement park: candy floss, go-carts, dodgem cars and a ghost train that will have you in fits. Take the funicular railway to get a superb view of Hastings.
The Pilot Inn, Lydd/Dungeness
Lydd is a strange place, but has this gem. Excellent fish and chips. Good value. The Pilot sits on the beach at Lydd and is a dramatic location in rough winter weather. Pleasant and efficient staff. Local fish. Weird website. 01797-320314.
The Place, Camber Sands
Although Camber Sands is one of the best beaches on the south coast, Camber itself takes its cue from Pontins. The Place is however from another world. Cool décor, good food, tables outside under an awning in the summer. Somewhere for ladies who lunch. Lots of local produce. The Place also has excellent accommodation. 01797-225057 or enquiries@thepacecambersands.co.uk. Just across the road from one of the Camber Sands car parks. It is about 3 miles from Rye on the New Lydd Road, which takes you past Rye Golf Club.
Wild Mushroom, Westfield
Simply the best food in the district but first you have to find your way to Westfield. Not cheap, but superlative. The place for special occasions but should not be neglected at other times. 01424-751137.
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Eat well in Sussex
Sussex is hidden treasure trove of good, honest food. Romney Marsh sheep and Sussex cattle are prime breeds. The High Weald is plentiful with game, including wild boar.
Rye and Hastings still have their own inshore fishing fleets and Rye Bay scallops are a celebrated harvest of the sea.
Like neighbouring Kent, Sussex is apple country. There is also local asparagus in May and soft fruits from July. And from March to October, there is the produce from some superb market gardens, not least, fabulous mixed salad leaves from Appledore Salads.
All this produce is available in local restaurants. If you want to cook it yourself, then visit local shops such as the Little Shop in Winchelsea. Just down the road is our butcher, Jamie Wickens, who is a specialist in local meat and game. You can pick up fresh fish and shellfish in fish shops in Rye and along Rock-a-Nore in Hastings as well as from Hugh Sutton in Winchelsea Beach.
Why not take the opportunity to visit the local farmers markets held on the Strand Quay at Rye on Wednesday mornings from 10:00am to 1:00pm.
Find out more about produce from Sussex and the High Weald.
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