Ye Olde Smugglers Inne

Charme, Location, Pub, authentic, perfect for walking routes, inviting bath

Limited breakfast, not so comfortable bed

I love that it’s such an iconic pub with stories to tell. We were in the Cosy room & it really was 😁 We were there the night before our last leg of the South Downs Way. The food was tasty & plentiful. Lisa is a wonderful welcoming host who works so hard to make your stay memorable. Thank you, I will return, without having to do the whole of the SDW first 🤪

Nothing

The pub is unpretentious, comfortable, clean and warm, and the landlady Lisa is both helpful and cheerful. There is excellent local beer and cider, while the food is generous and more than suitable for anyone who's done a day's walking and isn't especially preoccupied by the Michelin guide. Also the room was far lovelier than I expected, with a roll-top bath and a view of Alfriston's little village square. The atmosphere overall is convivial and welcoming - for its authenticity and charm I would confidently choose the Smugglers over the more upmarket, but more sterile, options in the village.

My own preference is for a bar of hard soap in the bathroom. The breakfast is rudimentary, but that didn't bother me, and there are plenty of alternatives nearby if you want a fry-up.

I was told to pay an extra £50 deposit (??) and I still haven't fathomed out if it has been repaid. Dinner was good. Breakfast was hopeless.