On Weekends and Bank Holiday Mondays the Cuckmere Valley Ramblerbus operates an hourly circular service from Berwick station, via Alfriston, Seaford, the Seven Sisters Country Park, Litlington and Wilmington. At Berwick trains connect with the bus; or join the bus at Seaford, which can also be reached by train as well as the frequent Brighton to Eastbourne bus service operated by Brighton and Hove buses. Buses also run from Eastbourne, Polegate and Lewes to Alfriston, although not on Sundays from Lewes.
The Berwick Inn, right next to Berwick Station. Sadly, currently closed, since 8 January 2012
The Cricketers' Arms, Berwick Village. A traditional cottage pub just along the village lane from the A27 Berwick Cross Roads bus stop. The tap room is just behind the bar with a good range of Harvey's beers served straight from the cask. Plenty of outside seating and homemade food served all day until 9pm
Ye
Olde Smugglers Inne, is our favourite in Alfriston. Set amongst the
South Downs, Alfriston is a jewel of a village and merits more than just
a passing glance from the first time visitor. Just by the bus stop in
Waterloo Square this ancient pub has appeared in the Good Beer Guide for
more than ten years. Snacks available all afternoon till 6, plus
there's a more extensive lunchtime and evening menu. Harvey's Best, Old,
Dark Star Hophead, and Sharp's Doom Bar were all on handpump when
visited as well as Weston's Old Rosie Cider.
Just along the road both The Star and The George (Greene King) are historic hotels with Cask Ale. In The Star's hotel bar there's a handpump with the very locally brewed Beachy Head Original. At the south end of the village Dean's Place's hotel bar has two Real Ales: Harvey's Best and a Guest Beer
Ye Olde Smugglers Inne's website
The Star's website
The George's website
Deans Place Hotel website
In Seaford the buses call at Morrison's Supermarket and the bus stop on the main road outside Tesco's. The Bay Tree Inn in Pelham Road is opposite Morrison's bus stop and is well worth checking out. When we visited they had Otter Head, Otter Bitter, Harvey's Best, Bombadier and St Austell Proper Job at reasonable prices. Just one street behind the Bay Tree, The Old Plough in Church Street has around five real ales on handpump including St Austell Tribute, Bombadier, and Harvey's Best Bitter
The Golden Galleon, Exceat Bridge. A popular pub at the side of the Cuckmere Estuary on the A259 Seaford to Eastbourne road. It can be busy but we were served immediately we walked in when we last visited. The Guest beer was Rudgate Brewery Ruby Mild plus Harvey's Best and London Pride were on too. Popular with diners
The
Plough and Harrow, Litlington. It's worth staying on the bus for, or
walking along the river bank from Alfriston. A charming village free
house. Harvey's Best and Old, plus Darkstar Hophead were the ales on
handpump, in excellent form. Open wood fire and home cooked food
The Plough and Harrow's website
The Sussex Ox, Milton Street. In a tranquil spot: the setting and buildings are impressive with views across the Downs. Alight from the bus half a kilometre on from the highest point of the route. There's a signpost marked 'Byway': walk down this path for five minutes and you'll find the pub. The Sussex Ox is renown for food but as well as a dining area there's a traditional bar with handpumps for a changing range of mainly local ales. You can sit outside on the decking or in The Garden Room. Unlike most other pubs in the area it's generally closed during the afternoon between 3 and 6pm
The Giant's Rest, Wilmington. We're almost back to the busy A27. Handpumps for Harvey's Best and Hopback Summer Lightning when we visited and popular with diners
On the way back to Berwick Station the bus again passes Berwick Cross Roads for a second chance to visit the Cricketers