The Ram Inn

Our grandson and dog were made to feel just as welcome as the rest of us, which meant a lot. We had our family Christmas Eve meal at The Ram Inn in Firle, and it was outstanding, with a fantastic atmosphere, excellent food, and great staff and service throughout. It was our second visit, and picking The Ram for such a special occasion was an easy choice. We'll definitely be back.

We had a six-course Christmas lunch at The Ram Inn after a short, freezing walk around the magical village of Firle. Our table by the open fire in the bar was a perfect place to enjoy the Christmas buzz. The menu had been sent to us in advance so we could choose thoughtfully, and there was time to enjoy each course as it was served with care. A huge thank you to everyone who worked so hard, both behind the scenes and with the guests, and gave up their Christmas Day to make the lunch so special for those of us lucky enough to book in 2025.

The fries were incredibly salty, even the extra portion we'd paid £5 for, and two of us couldn't eat them. The green salad also seemed over salted to one of us. I like salt and tried to keep going, but couldn't finish. Is it really necessary to salt fries when there's salt on the table? When I mentioned it, the server just mumbled, “Sorry about that,” and walked off. It was part of my 60th birthday present, and I was so disappointed I skipped dessert. We used to come here a lot, though our last visit was maybe seven years ago. On arrival, the staff said hello, then turned away and chatted privately for several minutes. Service stayed very slow despite very few customers. They were fairly polite, but seemed completely uninterested. Of the starters, I’m told the mackerel was good, while two of us struggled with the carrot soup because it was so salty. For mains, we had a ploughman’s, which I’m told was very good, two Chicken Milanese with fries, and Hake with extra fries. The food was fine, but none of it was cheap. Other people in the pub seemed to be enjoying their meals, but I won't return. I expected restaurant-standard food and service, and it fell well below par.

We've stayed at the Ramm Inn twice and loved it both times. The rooms are beautiful, and breakfast comes in a gorgeous room. The pub itself has a special atmosphere, dark and cosy, with lit fireplaces, candles everywhere, and original, stylish decor. The food is 10/10.