The best restaurants serving British food in Ticehurst and Etchingham Rother South East

Beautiful setting. Alas unloved and uncared for. Nightmare for anyone unsteady on their feet. Coffee luke warm, cake dry. Shabby chic carried to the nth degree.

We ate here recently and it is very good, we often eat at the sister restaurant which is also exceptional. However, the most recent lunch was a very tough piece of cow which we had to chew and chew for ages until the final swallow. When we questioned the waitress she explained “we are using a sustainable part of the cow that no one eats” Which in my simple mind was ridiculous, I let the waitress know that our repeat business wasn’t sustainable if we have to eat that. A chuckle amongst us all. I hope they soon realise this and revert to using parts of the cow that are tasty and not chewy.

Positives - Free parking (provided you remember to check in at the bar on arrival). Warm welcome. Dog friendly. Good value drinks. Had only intended to stop for a quick drink on the way home, but ordered a takeaway fish & chips from the pub side before we left (2 cod & 1 x large chips). All cooked to perfection. For info, large chips does actually mean large portion!). Less positives - Quite chilly in the bar, and only two other customers in the time we were there, which was probably 1 1/2 hours. Hopefully, The Royal Oak will gain more support and customers as winter turns to spring, and can avoid having to close like 2 other pubs close by in Lamberhurst.

Lovely little pub, nice food, great service. Not a gastro pub though and location is only convenient if you're driving or are based somewhere really local. Food was good, Guiness not so good (watery and way more bitter than usual), wine was lovely. Nice play area to keep the kids entertained.

Excellent facilities for water sport