Blackboys Inn

Uumm, it would have been four stars if this review was based solely on the food, unfortunately I’m taking the service and atmosphere into account and they are scraping a three!
I came here for Sunday lunch today, we had previously booked a table and we chose the bar area instead of the restaurant. Unfortunately, we didn’t realise that bar area translated as children’s play area. Now I have no problem with children being brought out to places like this, what I do have a problem with is unruly children who don’t know how to behave! There was one small child that was screaming his head off virtually non-​stop for two hours, and a group of older kids that were constantly running back and forth, dragging dogs around by their collars, and racing toy cars along the floor — honestly, its enough to put you off kids for life! It didn’t really make for a pleasant lunch experience. We were also seated right next to the door between the front door and the other room, which every time it was opened let in a gust of freezing cold air. It wouldn’t have been too bad if people, including the waitresses, could have shut it behind them, but I must have got up at least twenty times to shut it myself during my meal — gggrrrrhhh!!!
We were approached by two different waitresses within five minutes of sitting down to see if we were ready to order. We asked for a couple of minutes to actually look at the menu but we were then forgotten about and it took them 25 mins to come back to us. Once our food had been delivered we seemed to be forgotten about again, one of us had to repeatedly go to the bar in the other room to ask for dessert menu and the bill etc. Not great service.
Anyway, back to the food… I had roast beef. Huge portions with plenty of meat, crispy roast potatoes, well cooked veggies, and a large Yorkshire pud. Very tasty, the meat could have been a little less well done if I’m being picky, but overall it was a pretty good roast dinner. My friends had puddings while I resisted, they both gave positive feedback.
The menu is extensive, with many options over and above the three available roasts. There was also a large specials board with interesting dishes featuring duck, pheasant and fish among others. There is a large back garden, plus a seating area out the front, great for summer time drinking.
I would definitely come back, but maybe next time we will go for a table in the dining room!

The Blackboys Inn is a lovely and slightly eccentric pub in the village of Blackboys, near Uckfield. Mostly the pub is fairly traditional looking with a few odd touches, like the Moroccan inspired room, and the secret garden — a bit of the garden crammed with bower seating. They have a big bit of grass out the front with some picnic tables, and a terrace area with some covered seating next to a duck pond. The restaurant has lots of paintings and old fashioned lamps on the walls, and there are dark wood beams running throughout. The food is quite nice, standard gastropub fare at gastropub prices. They have a reasonable selection of beers and wines, and the staff are nice, if sometimes a little odd. They also have a function room and two suites where you can stay overnight.

The name of this place derives from when the local charcoal miners used to stop in on their way to Lewes covered head to toe in their payload. It dates back to 1389 so has an amazing feel about the whole place.
Now the establishment offers a combination of fine wines, real ales and excellent food all served in a really relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. When I ate there I had the pork belly with Calvados gravy and it was excellent. They grow their own vegetables in the garden so you can really taste the difference.
They also rent the restaurant out for functions, to be honest I can’t think of a better place to hold a birthday meal!

This is a fabulous inn, the food has been great for over 20 years, to my knowledge. It has been offering hospitality since 1389, so it claims. The menu is extensive and not overly expensive and is of really good quality and cooked well. The wine list is also good and fairly priced. The interior is well done and there is seating outside and a duck pond with ducks! A good meal for two and a bottle of wine £80, and worth it, the service is excellent. Booking on Sundays advised.

The Blackboys is a lovely pub set off from the road (B2192) in a quiet and secluded spot. It has a large garden at the front and a bright welcoming interior. It gets it’s name from the colour of charcoal burners who used to frequent it and that tells you that behind it is a wood. So a great location for a peaceful sunday lunch, although they open for food all week.
The food is simple but delicious and reasonable. Don’t expect gourmet style london food but do expect a cut above what most pubs serve. On my last visit I had a Catalan style oxtail stew which was perfect, scented with herbs and with a little chorizo to add heat and spice, the meat was falling off the bone. It was a special and therefore a little more expensive at 13pounds. Sunday roast was (I think) 11 pounds. Add to that a nice bottle of wine and an excellent value cheese plate of local cheeses and relaxed friendly staff and you have the perfect place to go for a meal with friends or family.