please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
This place has just undergone a refurb. It is now called The Cuckmere Inn and is under new management.
Those of you who know this place will be relieved to know that the service is still very poor and if anything worse. My buddy waited over 20 minutes for a cup of coffee. I gave up waiting to get a beer from the very limited selection of real ales and left.
On the plus side though, there are STILL DOG FRIENDLY inside the place!!!
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Further to my last comment we really put them to the test ourselves by booking a table for ten on what turned out to be the hottest day of the year so far. When we arrived the place was packed inside and out. There was a small glitch - they hadn't put a 'Reserved' sign on our table so we had to wait until it cleared but other than that no one had any complaints. We were warned the food could take an hour to come. In fact it was barely 20 minutes. The staff coped well and were still in good spirits right at the end of the session. This place is definitely becoming a favourite.
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We popped in here on Bank Holiday Monday at about 3.30pm.The weather was sunny and the pub was very busy inside and out.We were served after a few minutes waiting in a queue that stretched around the bar.There was Harveys Best and Hoptimus on draught.The hoptimus was very nice.The barman remained cheerful whilst he was working very hard in the circumstances.The serving staff were kept busy.We had a walk and returned a couple of hours later for further refreshments.The same barman was there still serving.He looked hot,i think he looked two foot shorter than earlier.He must have melted a bit .The serving staff remained cheerful including the one we spoke to who was friendly even though she was finishing her shift at 6pm and had had a busy day.The pub is located at a very popular spot for walkers on the South Downs and Seven Sisters Country Park.On a Bank Holiday it is bound to be busy so food orders are going to take longer as i overheard.The pub was coping pretty well.The Toilets were clean and tidy although the soap dispenser had broken under the strain.The Ants on the table outside stood motionless supping the drips of beer from the bottom of glasses.They had had enough.Our visit deserves an 8/10.We will go back again.
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The demons of the past appear to have been exorcised. We had a big family pre-Christmas bash and I've been back subsequently and have been impressed on both occasions. The real test will be in summer when the place gets packed but what we found is encouraging.
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Visited on a sunny September lunchtime. Busy but management seemed to have worked hard to ensure more adaquate staffing levels. 3 ales on offer. The Harvey's Best is always well kept and reliable. Cannot run a tab if you're sitting ouside and no option to leave card, so you have to either pay for everything at once or buy on installment if you are in the habit of using plastic. Once again, cannot be surpassed for location and real improvements have been made in the last 12 months.
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Most of the recent comments here reflect what I found on the evening of Friday 31 August, although what I have to say is slightly kinder. The menu was adequate if not exciting; the guest beer was fine; the staff hard-working; and I have never seen such a splendid bowl of ice cream for �2 as appeared this time. So, my main reservation is difficult to pinpoint, but it is essentially that despite the place being not bursting at the seams and the staff working very hard, there are still unduly long gaps between courses- we waited nearly half an hour for our dessert order to be taken and it to be served.
Seven out of ten.
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Visited again recently. Management seem to be trying to redress the understaffing issue and I was served promptly and helpfully. Still limited range of ales, but well kept. Once again, if you can visit out of peak times then you will most probably be glad you did.
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Pub with roaring fire in excellent location by Cuckmere River. Excellent pint of Harveys Best. Also served mulled cider which smelt nice. Food was all right and served within 10 minutes. Pub has lots of bad reviews so perhaps I was lucky.
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On the plus side: outstanding location and a variety of seating. Roaring fire in winter. Negatives- always too few staff on duty with resultant irritable customers who can't get served. Food reasonable but can vary. Orderd Garlic cibatta here in February and was given brown Hovis (!) with no apology. Even the battle-hardened manager was nonplused at that one. Beer 2 ales, always Harvey's Best but tends to run out at prime times and staff are too busy to change barrels. Usually a guest beer worth trying. If you can visit when its not too busy then sit back and enjoy the views.
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Went here on a Saturday evening, surprisingly quiet for some reason.
Staff were ok, certainly nothing to write home about. Waitress didn't ask if food was ok at any point (though she'd probably learnt not to)
All food turned up in 10 minutes, which is good for speed purposes, but not too good if you're trying to hide the fact they're basically microwave meals. Hotpot arrived warmish in a clearly chipped and cracked dish which the waitress did throw away afterwards, but why no-one noticed before is anyone's guess.
Two members of our party had a Chicken and ham pie which had 1cm squared of ham in one, and about 3cm squared in the other.
Overall, food very expensive for what is essentially pretty much the same stuff out the bag as you can get in the Plough (in Seaford town centre) for half the price.
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The location of the pub ensures it's busy at peak times even though there is a lot of space inside. Disappointing choice of beer - only 2 ales on, and the young staff were obviously struggling with the number of people.
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Love the riverside location, views and its within walking distance of the beach and cliffs. However, the food lets this pub down, very small sandwich selection with even smaller fillings!! The menu says freshly made sandwiches yet when I asked for the chicken and bacon sandwich without the mayo I could not have it as the filling was already made up!!! Had the steak ciabatta instead (if you could call it that) for the tiny amount of steak the ciabatta actually had in it. I filled the ciabatta with chips which were nice and you get plenty of them (a whole bowl full), still I suppose they are cheaper than steak!!!
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Arrived with the family on 6 April 2010 at about 12.45 pm for lunch-4 people.
I was surprised it was so busy but got the last remaining table inside as people after us were told it was a 20 minute wait.
Our starters came fairly promptly and were good but my son didn't order one and it was a good hour for him to get his main course from when we first got there.
The steak pie and shephards pie were pretty bland and not worth the wait.
The chicken burger and pasta dishes were better but average.
A real shame.
The waiter was a chatty young bloke but I heard him say to a woman behind me, whilst he held the sauce tray, that "she could get a good dollop of mayo if she really tried" rather than offering to refill it.
Don't think the approach would work for all customers!
However, not his fault that the kitchen staff are serving bland food slowly!
Would only recommend this pub on quite days or for a drink on a sunny day as the outside terraces are nice to sit out and watch the world go by.
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The Golden Galleon is a big sprawling rather open plan country pub and part of the Mitchel and Butler Vintage Inn chain and rather geared around food, but don't let that put you off. Apart from its lack of ambience it has everything you could wish for in comfort, beer and food for a flying visit.
ONE WORD OF WARNING AVOID SUNNY DAYTIMES DURING SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
BUSY THEY CAN HANDLE, JAM PACKED AND THEY STRUGGLE
They are right on the South Downs way and are happy to welcome ramblers and cyclists.
Service although it was very busy on the Wednesday lunch time in late September when we visited was still excellent.
My friend and I both had Fish (Haddock) Chips and Peas. It was well cooked and plentiful at �7.95.
There were plenty of well priced choices and a big specials board, it was clean and staff were friendly and cheerful.
The Real Ale on offer was Harvey's and London Pride at �2.80 a pint and very good both were too!
Do forgive the ambience for the walks, the views, the beer, the food and the friendly service.
I did and I happily give the Golden Galleon a healthy 8 out of 10.
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We visited here for three evenings in a row earlier this week for a meal and beer. Although the food service was lamentably slow (45 minutes on Sunday and Monday evenings) we had at least been informed of this. However, it is a long time for a four year old to wait!
Nevertheless, it is a very popular family location for meals (they ran out of glasses on Sunday lunchtime I am told), and all the front of house staff were friendly, hard-working and efficient. I found no undue delay in getting served at the bar, and the Sussex beer was worth drinking. All in all, although it can never qualify as an intimate pub its present low marking is harsh.
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I live quite close to this pub and went there with some buddies on Sunday afternoon for a pint before walking home. Couldn't get in the door the place was that busy. In the end we didn't bother. Went back yesterday lunchtime and it was quite quiet. Had a nice couple of beers and a snack lunch which wasn't too bad. Our friends enjoyed it.
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I go to this pub restaurant regularly and haven't yet had a bad experience. It is part of the 'Village Inns' chain, so doesn't pretend to be anything that it isn't. The food is good value and tasty. I have always found the staff unfailingly helpful and friendly. Yes, it does get busy; it's in a superb spot with a superb view in a tourist area. However, I've never had to wait an unreasonable time either to order at the bar, or to have my food served.
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You may just get a 'Beer in the Evening' if you arrive at lunchtime! - The bar service is incredibly slow - I have neve before waited at a pub for 25 minutes to get served. The service is uninterested - no smile, no apologies for the wait, no welcome, short measures.
Beer quality is average, London Pride & Batemans seasonal ale on offer - Harveys off.
The only thing the GG has going for it is the location, but how I mourn its idiosyncratic former brewpub existence.
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Cannot believe the reviews. My wife and I went mid week during Nov 2008 and were very pleased with choice on the menus, service, friendliness and everything else that one needs in a good pub. The main bar had been moved and made more accesable since our previous visit a year ago. The Ham hock was unusual choice on the menu, and was excellent. A group of women enjoyed their pre-Christmas get together next to us, and left a sizeable tip.
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This used to be a cracking pub but some years ago it turned into a kindergarten with a bar.
Service is slow due partly to inexperienced (cheap) staff and inexperienced customers who don't know what all the members of their party want and ask for things like "a pint of beer".
The food is poor and it is very clear that the management couldn't care less about repeat custom as they will readily fill the place with day trippers who will only go here once!
If you want a pub lunch, go anywhere else!!
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I'm quite suprised by how bad everyone has found this pub. We've been 3 or 4 times and have had good food every time. Granted there is often a long wait on busy days - we went on Mother's or Father's day (I forget which!) but were warned by the staff who were taking the food orders that we might have to wait up to an hour although they then found us a table almost immediately (we had 2 small children with us though so might have had preferential treatment!) Generally I've found the staff very helpful, they have several highchairs and booster seats and always a choice of vegetarian food. I'll be going again ;-D
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Blimey! Been here once and from the reviews it doesn't seem too promising. Bit of a shame really as I did enjoy the Timmy Taylor Landlord even if the glass wasn't topped up and its probably my local too. I only had a sarney one lunchtime and that was good too. I guess I'll use another pub till the reviews get better.
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Some of the worst pub food I have ever had put before me. I ordered a burger which took nearly 50 minutes to be served. When it arrived it was burnt to a crust and the accompanying chips were cold. My partner had the beef curry which consisted of large lumps of fat with very little lean meat. The kitchen is a disaster waiting to happen, and I could not recommend this establishment for eating in.
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This has gone downhill. They do not seem to able to cope at all at the weekends, too many underexperienced staff. Waited an hour for my food, my chips were cold, sent it back for some hot ones and never received anything back, was very hungry and a bit bored of it by that point. Have visited the other pubs in this chain throughout the south east and they are all better than this one. Seems to rely entirely on its previous reputation and position for custom. Dont bother for a quiet pleasant drink, will have to wait for ages behind people wanting dessert for their many children, 8 diet cokes and a tonic water. Slowly.
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The worst meal we have had in a long time! The food was truly appalling, all tasting old, reheated, some undercooked while some overcooked. Even the chips tasted stale! We all got a stomachache afterwards and it spoiled our family day out. It's a shame because the pub is in such a great location and this is exploited by the people running it who know they will get punters anyway being in such a popular spot and therefore don't care about the quality of the food served. It's a disgrace! Will never go back.
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Revisited the Galleon earlier this year. Stunned by the changes since we lived in the area, but then that was almost 30 years ago!
I can't say that I like the changes, but the beer was OK, bu the food was a little expensive, particularly for mass catering
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I went to this pub for lunch with a friend on Friday 29th June. Having read the other reviews on this site, I arrived with some trepidation but was encouraged because dogs are allowed in the bar. The staff could not have been more helpful, friendly and welcoming. Three of them went out of their way to be polite and hospitable. We ate well - gammon steak, peas, and chips plus a steak sandwich and chips - the food was hot and delicious - all at a a very reasonable price. There were several bowls of water for dogs, a nice touch. Dogs are welcomed - so friendly, so sensible.
(I found this whole experience very cheering after a recent disasterous holiday at The Little Hemingfold Hotel near Battle where my dog and I were made to feel most unwelcome)
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This establishment clearly gets its business from passing customers due to its beautiful location by the river. Regretfully that is its best feature. The food leaves much to be desired. On two occasions now I have been served grizzle for Roast Beef on a Sunday. Yes twice, but not any more. I'll not eat there again.
Good points: Sunny day location, Car Park and Bus Stop nearby. An immediate refund was given for the poor quality roast beef meal.
Bad points: Told by waiting staff that the Manager was too busy to listen to complaints about the food served to customers. Staff gave bland corporate response to any complaint. "There is nothing I can do about it". Yes there is, tell the manager or the head office about the complaint.
Such an appalling level of customer service will result in adverse comments appearing here. However, I will still write to their head office, as I am convinced they are probably unaware of these problems being reported upwards by their own staff.
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This pub is in a great place - really fantastic - but the food is dull & expensive - the staff are hamstrung by unnecesary rules & regulations - for all its great location this pub has been reduced to something not warm and friendly but corporate & cold.
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I don't know what you're all on about. I've been to the Galleon several times during the past few months - and the food and service has always been excellent. My most recent visit was last Sunday... I had the roast beef and it was delicious. OK, it's not a 5-star restaurant, but neither does it charge 5-star prices. It provides good value for money, in very nice surroundings (both inside and out) - and I've found the staff unfailingly pleasant.
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Just been to the Galleon. The food was appalling, I ordered the 'traditional roast beef' and my husband ordered the turkey roast. The food stone cold and had to be sent back. The actual meat was very poorly cooked ("like slices of leather" - was one comment made,when I say 'meat' I suppose I am being generous, in reality it was a couple of slices of gristly brown stuff. The 'roast' potatoes looked like the 'aunt bessies variety, as was the yorkshire pudding. The vegetables were dried up and had the distinct aura of being around for some time. My husband said that the turkey was tasted like 'thick water' (??). Ugh.
When I complained the waitress at least was polite enough to look embarrassed and said that there was not a lot she could do about it - customer service = 0.
The place was packed, they must be making some money, so how come they are serving up rubbish.
Never again.
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i worked at the galleon when it was owned by private owners right up untill it got taken over by mitchells and butlers the chain company and it was much nicer before! the old owners now own a restaurant in seaford town opposite morrisons if anyone who loved the food whats to taste it again. and they serve harvey's amada aswell, like they used to in the pub. top grub.
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Had a meal here last night which sadly wasn't worth the 50 minute waiting time. At least this gave us time to clear the glasses from the tables as there weren't any staff around to do it. Very poor.
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further to my other comments, I had a meal here recently the food was ok but the service was very slow. it wasn't that busy, they just don't seem to know what they are doing and the duty manager was rubbish.
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I have been here a couple of time and it was packed. The drinks were good and the staff served quickly. It has a nice garden with good views I didn't eat there but people who were seemed more than happy with what they got.
I never knew it as it was before, but it seems fine to me.
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This used to be one of the best pubs (they had such a great choice of real ales) in the area before Vintage Inns got hold of it.
Sadly now it's just a food (and not very good food at that) pub with very little character. Just like the Trout at Wolvercote in Oxfordshire, the only reason to visit this place now is on a nice sunny day to sit in the garden and admire the great views.
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Just awful. A town centre food pub in the centre of one of the most beautiful parts of Sussex.
And the beer was bad.
Worth a look for the setting but there are so many better pubs around that area worth visiting.
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The comments on this place fall into two distinct categories. First there are the nostalgia whines bemoaning the fact that the place is now M & B which I can't help and secondly there are those who have received poor treatment of which I recently was one. I took my complaint straight to M & B's head office and to their credit the response from both the Galleon and M & B was positive and encouraging. My last visit was a real pleasure. This site is great for a good honest bitch but if you want something to change you have to take it to the man.
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I haven't supped there, since the dreaded sign of the "Greasy Spoon" chain has taken over.
The Galleon used to be all the positive things said about it - I remember eating the best marinated olives ever, as free snacks on the bar on a Sunday and listening to a busker on the patio - it is now only fit for chav city - I will now use it for parking and the toilets, cheers!
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What were the chances that they would hack off the one person who has ever posted a good word about the place? Well they have and I won't be going back in a hurry. The gory details are set out in the two page letter of complaint dispatched to M and B's head office.
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A case study in how a once great pub can go downhill. Once upon a time this was a gorgeous, independent pub with a huge choice of well kept real ales (including their own), ciders, whiskies, and very good pub-food. Was always packed. Over time, the landlord seemed to take his eye off the ball as he bought other restaurants in the area and let this one ride on its reputation. Was getting very tatty by the time it was sold to the M&B chain, but couldn't believe the disaster it has now become when we returned after its revamp.
One of the best and most individual locations in the south-east, and yet inside you could be anywhere in the world. Totally anonymous, bland, pub-out-of-a-packet interior. Nothing to link it to the local area, not in its decor (aside from some naff old sepia-coloured photos), not in its menu (which is not good value for the standard re-heated microwave pub-food it offers) , and in its beer only so far as it has poorly kept Harveys.
Truly a travesty, yet unbelievably the location means its always busy. I can only be grateful that the unimaginative plebs eating and drinking in this dreadful place are keeping some of the genuinely individual country pubs hereabouts uncluttered so that people who really appreciate individuality and quality can enjoy them.
Salty - 23 Sep 2005 12:52 |
Used to be a fine pub in a gorgeous location.
Now it is not a nice experience to go there. Very unpleasant service behind the bar. They seem to think that their location will still bring in the customers - whatever the reception they give.
Attitude - don't bother us, if you dont like us, there are plenty others who come along anyway.
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Can only agree with the most recent anonymous poster. Have been going to the Golden Galleon when I'm in the area for the few years, though I've only been once since it went to M&B and just dropped in for a welcome pint with my wife and very young daughter. The manager (I presume he was the manager) was so rude and seemingly incapable of displaying any notion of the family welcome the pub boasts about outside. We were told to stand in the corner of the pub, 'out of the way' (his words) unless we wanted to eat - even then there was an hour wait for food.
Don't mind a pub being busy or popular. Can understand that a pushchair can sometimes get in the way. Do not appreciate feeling that as a customer I'm a burden to the pub. Astonishing lack of friendliness and respect at the Golden Galleon. Such a shame.
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Extremely rude & obnoxious senior bar staff. Humiliated my mother & father, embarrassed my whole family in front of other customers all because we wanted two cups of coffee! I am very angry & upset. My father writes for the 'Good Pub Guide' & he will be commenting on the extremely poor customer care & treatment by this individual. My family & I have been visiting The Golden galleon for over 10 years but we will not be frequenting there ever again.
anonymous - 25 Jul 2005 12:30 |
.......Had its own brewery..... and used to have it's own personality but now is just another mitchells and butlers clone. shame really,
anonymous - 6 Jul 2005 03:12 |
I'm glad to say its got it's act together since 2004. I've eaten here two or three times this year and the food is very good for both quality and quantity. Never knew it had it's own brewery but with Harveys on draught who cares. If you want to know more try the Mitchells and Butler web site under Vintage Inns.
My only real quibble is that you can't book a table and at lunchtime the place fills up fast.
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Very disappointing, unfriendly and slow bar service, followed by short measures. Decided not to eat there as we felt unwelcomed. Moved on to the Plough at Littlington where we were greated with warmth!
Judith Bowler - 3 Sep 2004 16:54 |
No longer brewing own beer-brewing eqipment sold. Food and beer very good. Family have recently sold pub to Mitchells and Butler (formerly part of Bass)
Peter McVey - 14 Dec 2003 21:35 |
Good food if a trifle expensive in some instances. This pub is obviously very popular and, as a result, the decor, in places is a little bit jaded.
Nick - 5 Jul 2003 12:06 |
Has its own brewery, decent food, view of Cuckmere Haven with walks down to the sea.
Leonie - 26 May 2002 22:17 |
