PubsandBeer
History: Home > The Sussex Arms
The Sussex Arms (Greene King)
| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Holden's - Golden Glow |  | 1 |
| Long Man - Best Bitter | | 1 |
| Okell's - Olde SKipper | | 1 |
| Bedlam - SMaSH |  | 1 |
| WharfeBank - Medal Pursuit | | 1 |
| St Austell - Tribute | | 1 |
| Tonbridge - Blonde Ambition | | 1 |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Adnams - Ghost Ship | Not Tried | 0 |
| Burning Sky - Summertime | Not Tried | 0 |
| Marble - Mild | Not Tried | 0 |
| Wilderness - American Pale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Hop Back - Summer Lightning | Not Tried | 0 |
| Timothy Taylor - Landlord | Not Tried | 0 |
| Long Man - American Pale Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
Visits Details
30 Aug 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
3rd stop on the outing: My 3rd visit in recent years to Tunbridge Wells but my first visit to this rather hidden watering hole behind the Corn Exchange in the Pantiles area of the town where its sister pub, the Ragged Trousers, is located.
Its history dates back to the early 17th century when it was built to serve the coachmen and servants of the gentry and so the pub was deliberately tucked away from view. On view here were a good few from the visiting London branch of CAMRA at this stop and one other local who has in recent years moved from London to neighbouring Tonbridge up the road. Warm and friendly service for my early afternoon stop and four real ales on to choose from. Dog friendly and LocAle-accredited by CAMRA although a Greene King-owned house.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Man - Best Bitter | 4.00 | | This East Sussex Best Bitter, brewed in-land between Seaford and Eastbourne, came with very good head and lacing and lasting throughout. A dry bitter first bite on this amber ale. A pleasant hoppy bitterness rising ably assisted by its Fuggles and Goldings hops and a malty note or two shining through. A moreish hoppiness winning over and a hoppy dry bitterness sailing off. |
| Burning Sky - Summertime | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Marble - Mild | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Wilderness - American Pale | 5.20 | Not Tried |
22 Oct 2017 (Stephen Harris)
Late on Sunday afternoon and pretty quiet. Somehow or other, I have been oblivious to the existence of this pub until today. Nice to find a place that can satisfy my sudden craving for Twiglets.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tonbridge - Blonde Ambition | 4.20 | | Golden beer with quite a floral hop taste. |
| Bedlam - SMaSH | 4.40 | | Single Malt and Single Hop. Although no indication which of either. |
| Timothy Taylor - Landlord | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Adnams - Ghost Ship | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Long Man - American Pale Ale | 4.80 | Not Tried |
24 Sep 2013 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening. Forgot quite how to find this pub and asked a random local in the street who said "Follow me I'm off there now". Very loose Greene King tie with none of their beers on handpump today. Does my memory trick me or were there once ducks or geese loose in the bar here?
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Austell - Tribute | 4.20 | | |
| Timothy Taylor - Landlord | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Long Man - American Pale Ale | 4.80 | Not Tried |
31 Jul 2012 (Martin the Mildman)
Fairly quiet on a Tuesday evening.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| WharfeBank - Medal Pursuit | 4.00 | | A golden bitter with quite a strong hop bitterness with hints of citrus and a dry finish. Big question is, is it the same as Medal Pursuit? This seemed to be better but could be down to cellarmanship. My score 15/20. |
| Hop Back - Summer Lightning | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Long Man - Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried |
05 May 2010 (ChrisE)
My first visit here for about twenty years, it used to be a very good Free House, I was pleasantly surprised by the range of beers on offer, and the enthusiasm of the bar staff.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holden's - Golden Glow | 4.40 | | This was excellent, a pale golden beer, delicious. |
| Okell's - Olde SKipper | 4.50 | | A good hoppy beer with a bitter finish. |
About The Sussex Arms
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
 | - |
| 3 |
| 4 |
 | - |
 | - |
The pub is found in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN2 5TE.
A delightful pub in a mews setting just off the Pantiles, the pub benefits from a bar billiards table, and a pleasant outdoor drinking area. Rarely used basement function bar. The toilets are downstairs too. At one time a unique operation and what made the Sussex Arms special was the unique character of the pub. This was created by landlord Dennis Lane who, with his wife Barbara, had run the pub from 1958 to 1987. They furnished it with artefacts purchased from the nearby auction rooms; the collection of chamber pots was legendary. So too were the number of locks on the front door - alleged to number 27 in total! Now owned by Greene King but with a seemingly very loose tie on real ale availability through 3 handpumps on the bar counter.
We have visited this pub 5 times, seen 15 different beers and tried 7 of them.
Postcode: TN2 5TE