The Hastings Arms

This pub has helpful and friendly staff and locals. They're a dog friendly pub, as long as on a lead and kept under control. We popped in on our way home from a walk to Sharpe's Green and back. We had our dog, Milo, with us and one of the staff, who came out for their smoke break, saw him and offered him water, she brought it out in a proper metal dog bowl!! There is a small garden, for the odd occasion we actually get a sunny day around here, but, by the main door into the pub they have a decent smoking area, it has a kind of open fronted shed, with a picnic bench and the shelter has walls on 3 sides and protects you from the elements (unless the wind blows the rain in the open front!!). There is wheelchair access, (not the main door, as there are 2 rather high steps down into\out of the pub.) ask a member of staff and they'll direct you to the wheelchair accessible entrance as it's not that clearly marked, if you don't already know where it is!! The ladies toilets however are not wheelchair accessible, (I'm not sure, but, I think the Gent's loos actually are wheelchair accessible) and neither is the dining room where they serve their carvery, which is on the same level as the ladies loos, although, I believe that, if you asked, they would allow you to sit in the main bar to eat if you can't get up the 2 steps into their dining room, and the steps are quite high (I myself am disabled, but, I can with my partners help, get up and down them, but, they are quite high, more so than most steps). The dining room also serves as a good sized room to rent for Family get togethers, birthday parties or any other reason you might need to book a room for (I know that a band used to rent it for their band practice years ago, and at one time there used to be either slimming world or weight watchers groups that used it too!! I don't know about now, but, my point is it's a good sized room, but, it's not huge!! Your best bet is to call the friendly staff and ask!!) There isn't a bar in the dining room, so if you rent the room for a party, you will have to use the main bar. In my experience (I've been to a couple of birthday\anniversary parties here!!) if it's a Friday or Saturday, you might find there is a bit of a wait to get served, even with the extra staff they try to have on. I have been going to this pub on and off since the late 90s, I even worked here for a while in the late 90s early 00s!! It has changed hands a few times over the years, but, it has not changed that much, the staff are and always (mostly!!) have been friendly and welcoming. They nearly always have at least 2 real ales on, and according to my mates who drink it, I have never heard anything bad said about it. There is also a rather good sized car park, which is useful if having a party here!! I would definitely recommend this place.

Lovely little pub. Great atmosphere! They have live singers some nights, karaoke other night. The only thing that bugs me is they have a lovely, friendly big dog that sometimes walks around the pub before hand and there is dog hair on the floor. I'm allergic. Doesn't stop me from going there though with my brother in law