The Lamb Inn is near Battle, East Sussex, a town named after the Battle of Hastings. The pub takes its name from its Domesday Book entry as a shepherd’s cottage and was first converted to an inn around 1520, giving shepherd’s a place to warm sickly lambs. Today it operates as a typical country pub, complete with wooden beams, cask ales and exposed stonework. It’s also a short drive from the Pevensy Levels National Nature Reserve.
The food menu combines pub classics with enough variation to suit most tastes. Starters include duck and orange parfait, sticky crispy chicken and deep-fried Brie bites. The sharing starter is a honey-baked whole Camembert served with dipping bread.
For mains, the classics are well represented by sausage and mash, fish and chips, duo of lamb and pie of the day. Those who want something from further afield can choose from aubergine parmigiana, chicken and vegetable Pennag curry, and mac and cheese. There’s also a choice of two steaks (10oz rib-eye or 8oz sirloin, served with fries) and a range of burgers (beef, buttermilk chicken or butternut squash and chickpea).
On top of this, The Lamb Inn serves stone-baked pizzas. You can choose from margherita, pepperoni or sticky duck and hoisin, the latter combining Chinese and Italian to create an inventive base sauce. For something lighter, there’s sandwiches (fish finger, roasted vegetable or steak) and salads (chicken, bacon and avocado or greens and grains).
The Sunday roast options are firmly traditional. Meats are sirloin of beef, turkey breast, pork belly or lamb rump. The vegetarian option is a candid vegetable roast. Pigs and blankets can be added year-round, and all roasts are served with unlimited gravy. There’s a fixed price lunch menu where two courses are £16.50 and three are £20.50. Those visiting to celebrate can also take advantage of a set menu - two courses are £22.95 and three are £27.95.
The Lamb Inn is part of Vintage Inns. This is a network of 186 pubs across the UK, most of which are dog-friendly and can be booked for Christmas dinner.