Storming The Castle Inn

Venue: Castle Inn, 72 Eastbourne Road, Pevensey Bay, East Sussex. BN24 6HS

Website Site: Castle Inn

Pie: Steak, Mushroom & Ale

Temperature as eaten: Hot

I’ve only just discovered the delights of the East Sussex Coast and I have to say I’ve sort of fallen in love with the area.  On a last-minute break, my wife and I booked a campsite lodge just a couple of miles outside Hailsham and I’m so glad we did, we will definitely be returning for a “Staycation” in the near future.  While we were exploring the area we happened upon a lovely little pub, the Castle Inn,  located in the village of Pevencey Bay, a glorious, long, pebble beach bay where it is told that William the Conqueror landed with his soldiers in 700 ships on 28th September 1066 just before he marched on to do battle in Hastings.  There is an actual castle in Pevencey dating back to the AD 290 and Roman coins were found in the walls during the ongoing renovations.

The Castle Inn is a mere youngster in comparison and the Coaching Inn was built in 16th Century with many of the original features, beams and floors still in place.  We had popped in for a refreshing lunchtime drink after a long walk up and down the beach and had spied a couple of the locals digging into what looked to be delicious lunchtime fayre.  As such we booked a table for the evening and left to continue our exploring.

When we returned that evening, we made our choices from a small but varied menu (vegan options available).  All the food was prepared and cooked on-site and we were not disappointed.  Of course, I chose a slice of what was said to be a local favourite, the Steak, Mushroom & Ale Pie.  The pie was served with Creamy Mash, Oven Roasted Parsnips & Carrots, Garden Peas and a jug of rich and velvet smooth Beef Gravy.  I sometimes worry about “slices” of pie. Will be big enough for a main course? Will it have all the filling ingredients or will I get just some of the quoted because the filling hasn’t been mixed or distributed full when making and baking?  I needn’t have worried.  Everything was there, and in a very generous portion too.  I won’t go into detail of the accompaniments to the pie, but I do have to say that the Creamy Mash was probably the best I’ve tasted…ever!  But back to the pie.  The slice of pie was from a plate pie with a pastry top, sides and bottom.  A proper pie.  The pastry was full butter flaky pastry and cooked to perfection.  The filling of steak and mushroom was plentiful and the steak melted in the mouth, there were no chewy bits or fatty gristle.  The steak was complimented by rather than over powered by, the delicate flavour of the mushroom and rich boozy, lightly peppered ale gravy within.  This was a really tasty pie, seasoned to perfection I didn’t have to add salt or pepper.   The whole meal was a taste sensation, I loved it, and was sorry that as we were leaving the following day that I couldn’t return to sample other items from the menu.   Or maybe, I would have just had another slice of the sumptuous pie.

The Castle Inn will definitely be on my list of places to eat the next time we are in the area, and will probably be at the top of that list.  And next time I’ll make sure we travel there by taxi as they did also have a very interesting and tempting selection of Real Ales which sadly, I couldn’t sample as I was designated driver…. ho hum….. next time 🙂

HF.