The Ram Inn

The Ram Inn has got to be one of the best pubs in rural Sussex. Located in the picturesque village of Firle, the location is perfect, especially if the weather is good and you can enjoy the outside seating. Even if the weather is bad, you can’t beat sitting in this traditional pub, in one of the many small rooms, enjoying a pint, glass of wine and a delicious dinner in front of a roaring log fire.
Not resting on their laurels of the perfect location, the food is also exquisite, making use of locally supplied meat and fish produce on their regularly changing menu. Last time I was here I had the pea, broad bean and mint spaghetti, followed by lamb chops with polenta. On previous visits I have also tried the sharing platters, fish dishes and pork belly. I have never been disappointed with the food here. They serve a good selection of local ales, have a great wine list, and the staff are always friendly and helpful.
The Ram also offers bed and breakfast. I sometimes wish I lived a little further away so I could enjoy an overnight stay here!
I haven’t tried the sunday lunch yet but I’m sure it won’t disappoint when the opportunity arises. Perhaps a quick hike over Firle Beacon may be in order first to work up an appetite!

The Ram Inn, Firle,
Hidden down a lane in the gingerbread village of Firle, on the skirts of the downs, The Ram Inn is as cosy and English a pub as you could hope to stumble on. If it were any more quintessential it might be bottled as jam and sold to Anlgophiles. Labradors sit quietly next to plum-​jowled locals besuited in corduroy; wood floors glow with the reflection of blazing fires in low ceilinged rooms — this is a pub in which to be snowed in for an entire winter. And the food is pretty spectacular too: locally produced vegetables and the finest cuts of meat present a mix of sophistication and earthy lack of pretense, with decent sized portions nicely presented on generous plates. We had the roast beef, with yorkshire pud so fluffy it could have put a smile on a man from Redcar. The staff are friendly, open to to pedantic suggestions and adding to the general bonhomie of punters who look as if they’ve wandered in off the set of The Good Life. Look out onto the Downs, the courtyard or fields and wonder why you live in the city. Then again it’s so close you can do both. There’s even a flaming dustbin outside for smokers to keep their mits warm.
Mains in the region of £11.

Fantastic establishment that is on the verge of becoming a gastro pub. Its located right at the foot of the South Downs so can get extremely busy on the weekend lunch time shifts.
We had a fantastic Sunday lunch there after a long walk and although the staff are really friendly and efficient, the sheer volume of people can slow things down. Its worth waiting for though, I enjoyed one of the best roast lambs I’ve ever had there.
Worth trying in the evening maybe too as will probably be quieter.