Chequers Inn

The rooms were good and warm, and the hotel is in a lovely central spot in Battle with easy parking. I arrived late on a Tuesday and was greeted by staff who were super friendly, kind and knowledgeable. I had pumpkin soup, chicken kebabs and a very fresh pint of Harveys Best Bitter. Lovely place. I hope to return soon.

The pub is beautiful and has a great atmosphere. We came for Sunday lunch and had an amazing experience, with faultless service and wonderfully delicious food.

I stayed in Battle for a few days and loved this pub. The Guinness was great, and the staff were lovely and friendly. Travelling on my own, I felt very welcome from everyone, including the other customers. It was the highlight of my trip.

The food was the star of our lunch. My wife, who's a good cook, couldn't praise it enough. We both chose fish, sea bass for one of us and pan-fried cod with tiger prawns for the other. The vegetables and fruit that came with them, and the way everything was presented, made the meals feel really special. Desserts were £10 each, which seemed a little expensive, but they were superb. We had to remind ourselves this isn't the 1970s Angel Delight era. We live in Dover and decided on the spur of the moment to drive to Battle. The Chequers was the first pub I saw named on Google Maps, and its reviews sounded promising. We drove 90 minutes via Rye, then parked at the Battle Abbey car park. English Heritage members park free; we paid £4 for six hours. It's a seven-minute walk to the pub. The Chequers has its own car park, but we used Battle Abbey as we planned to shop for books after lunch. We arrived a few minutes after noon to find only the host there. Getting in early meant we could sit by the window, and our two Shandys and menus arrived quickly. The lunch menu isn't extensive, but I think it has enough choice for most people, and keeping things simple works when everything is made to order. Inside, it's 'Olde Worldly', with some photos on the walls, a wooden torso and a violin in a black birdcage hanging over the bar. Don't let the quirky look put you off. The young woman who served us was extremely pleasant, good humoured, efficient and had a great personality. If your visit is like ours, you won't be disappointed.