Sussex pubs in The Times’ ‘top cosy pubs for a micro-break’

The list of cosy pubs was included as part of an article on “how to do this autumn well,” offering an “expert guide to enjoying shorter days and colder nights.”

The article’s author, Shane Watson, writes: “Oh dear, there goes the summer.

“It has been a long one, so we can’t complain, and some of us who like a bit of summer but find the novelty wears off in early August may even be feeling an autumnal spring in our steps.

“For us autumnistas, summer is a bit like rosé: fun for a while, then cloying, then you cannot wait to get back to teeth-blackening, room-temperature reds served by candlelight.”

The Star in Alfriston (Image: Wikimedia) Watson’s reasons for savouring summer’s end include autumnal opportunities such as eating inside, not having to mow the lawn, and watching lots of TV.

The two cosy Sussex pubs included in the article are The Star in Alfriston and The George in Rye.

The Star is run by Alex Polizzi, an English hotelier, businesswoman, and television personality known for presenting The Hotel Inspector on Channel 5.

The Times’ travel editor, Jenny Coad, described The Star as: “A characterful 15th-century inn in pretty Alfriston, with immaculate rooms designed by the renowned Polizzi mother-and-daughter hotelier team.

“There are beautiful South Downs walks on your doorstep too,” she added.

The Star hotel was in the news recently after it was visited by Reverend Joe Ellis, an afternoon tea expert, who told of his pleasant encounter with the hotel’s famous owner.

The George in Rye (Image: The George) The George in Rye also receives its fair share of media attention, having been named on a number of ‘best of’ lists before.

In February last year, the hotel’s owners won their battle against a council after a row erupted over the colour of the building.

Alex and Katie Clarke began their campaign to keep the 16th-century inn the same colour after Rother District Council said it “adversely” affected its character.

The Clarkes had to completely refurbish The George in Rye after it was gutted by fire in 2019.

Reverend Joe Ellis with Alex Polizzi at The Star (Image: PA Media) Read more:

The couple, who have owned the Grade II listed hotel since 2004, carefully renovated the building, which is a prominent feature of the town’s High Street, over three years.

Following the appeal, the hotel was eventually allowed to remain the brown shade it had been painted.

Regarding The George in Rye, The Times article notes: “In antiques shop-filled Rye, with Camber Sands nearby, this 16th-century coaching inn has eclectically decorated bedrooms and a lively restaurant.”