The Ram Inn
Firle Near Lewes East Sussex BN8 6NS
Huddled beneath the ridge of the South Downs, Firle is one of Sussex’s prettiest villages, and its sole pub – the rambling, centuries-old Ram Inn – is just as appealing. It’s primarily a dining pub nowadays, serving up excellent, locally sourced, seasonal food that's a tad on the pricey side, but despite the focus on food the Ram never loses sight of the fact that it’s also the village local, and you’ll still see plenty of muddy boots, dogs ambling through the bar and locals chatting over a pint. It's perhaps nicest of all as a place just to stop for a drink on a summer’s afternoon, with plenty of tables and benches by the lane at the front of the pub, plus a lovely walled garden shaded by apple trees at the back, which is usually packed with families taking grateful advantage of the small play area. Inside, there are three sprawling rooms, each with roaring fires in winter, and a tiny bar serving Harveys and guest ales. Unsurprisingly, given the pub’s location, there are great walks all around: the South Downs Way runs along the top of the blowy ridge above the village, while a short amble down the lane will bring you to the idyllic cricket ground of the Firle Cricket Club, one of the oldest in the world, formed in 1758.
