The Badgers Watch, Telscombe Cliffs - pub details
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Address: South Coast Rd, Telscombe Cliffs, Peacehaven, East Sussex, BN10 7BE [map] [gmap]
Tel: 0871 917 0007 (ref 23641)
Newhaven Town (3.5 miles), Newhaven Harbour (3.6 miles), Southease (3.7 miles)
Pub facilities/features:
- Food served
NB: Information may be incomplete or out of date as this pub is not currently registered.
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> Current user rating: 4.2/10 (rated by 19 users)
> Local guide: East Sussex pub guide
other pubs nearby:
Telscombe Tavern, Telscombe Cliffs (0.1 miles), Gullen's Bar, Saltdean (0.8 miles), Spanish Lady, Saltdean (0.8 miles), Good Companion, Peacehaven (1.0 miles), White Schooner, Peacehaven (1.0 miles) - see more nearby pubs
user reviews of the Badgers Watch, Telscombe Cliffs
please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
5 most recent reviews of 17 shown - see all reviews
| Porto Bello was a small lonely, coastal inlet in the cliffs and hamlet of Telscombe, adjacent to Warren Farm. Sometime before 1841 Coastguard Station Cottages were built here and a Coastal Blockade Station in 1825 is listed by Bullen (1995). But an even older building, built of flint and beach pebbles, was the Badgers Watch as it is known today. Also previously known as the Lifeboat Inn and Brewers Arms Inn, the name Badger likely originated from that of the infamous early 19th century Revenue Cutter that patrolled the Channel. William Osborn(e) was the tenant innkeeper in 1829. Sold in 1837 as a private residence, William (S?)Osborn(e) continued to occupy the former Brewers Arms Inn after the sale. This isolated access to the beach was ideal for the smuggling trade. Tracks still lead to Telscombe village and Southease to the bridge over the Ouse below Itford Farm. In January 1823 the various preventive forces set out to ambush smugglers at the bridge. Fifteen to twenty owlers or smugglers escaped along deep ditches and the value of goods seized was minimal. Mary Waugh in her book “Smuggling in Kent and Sussex 1700-1840” (1985) ch.7, mentions Bearshide (Peacehaven) and Porto Bello (Telscombe Cliffs) several times in connection with the illicit trade. Furthermore it was not illegal to sell smuggled goods and many a tavern advertised "Genuine Crow Link" schnappes, named after the landing place near Birling Gap, East Dean. As smuggling was particularly active in the first half of the 19th century, such circumstantial evidence suggests some direct or indirect involvement by the Osborn family. bruceosborne - 23 Oct 2008 15:53 |
| Fairly comfy gastropub - one of a chain. Beers are usually well-kept, anf a good selection of wines. Food is mass-catering average (powdered mashed potato anyone?) with an emphasis on the microwave. Don't be fooled by the "Great British Food" signs outside. I've eaten here several times over the years, and it's a mixed bag. The Telscombe Tavern, just up the road, does better food, though in not quite as pleasant surroundings. Will_Fly - 1 Oct 2008 12:42 |
| Its an M and B Vintage Inn and so shares both the good and bad points of all the others. Building and location are excellent, food, beer and service are adequate at best. I'm sure head office will be flattered to have the place called a gastropub and I'm sure they have pretentions in that direction (provided it doesn't cost anything). I now tend to avoid Vintages in high season as too many customers highlight the shortcomings of the organisation and even complaining to head office won't change anything but might get you a free dinner! Won't be going back for a good while as apart from the Brewers Fayre in Newhaven there are many better food pubs in the area. REVERENDBAZ - 28 Sep 2008 08:49 |
| OK, it’s a gastropub. But then, it makes no claims to be anything else. I have eaten there perhaps a dozen times over the last five years and have never been disappointed, let alone had cause to complain. And for all that it is a gastropub, it has three decent ales on the hand pump. MankyBadger - 7 Sep 2008 22:30 |
| Visited yesterday - very pleasant location and good efficient service. Unfortunately we had to send the food back because it was served very lukewarm. Such a pity and hope the management spot these comments. Dsnell - 29 May 2008 23:07 |
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