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Welcome

Nestled in the heart of the Ashdown Forest, this renowned gastropub, cherished for its culinary delights, warmly welcomes patrons and their furry four-legged friends, making it the perfect spot for a delightful day out. After a delightful day out exploring nearby attractions like the Winnie the Pooh Bridge and the Ashdown Visitor Centre, treat your canine companion to Jude's doggy ice cream, sniffing bottoms dog beer and don't forget to indulge in a beverage or some nourishing food for yourself!

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The Hatch Inn outside of the pub showcased in Summer
Dog drinking out of dog bowl with a dog friendly beer showcased

ABOUT US

Nicholas Drillsma and partner Sandy Barton, proprietors of The Hatch Inn, have established a commendable reputation over the past two decades for crafting top-tier, locally sourced cuisine complemented by an extensive wine list, which includes ten wines available by the glass. The menus, which change daily, are tailored to meet the preferences of our customers, emphasizing quality food and service within the charming ambiance of a quintessentially English public house. Two spacious gardens provide an idyllic setting for summer dining, offering scenic views of the adjacent forest.

 

Throughout the years, The Hatch Inn has earned numerous accolades, featuring in The Good Pub Guide, AA Best Pubs, AA Best Pub Food, Country Life Magazine, Time Out Magazine, and the Daily Telegraph's Best of British Pubs, among others.

The inn holds a place in television history, serving as the backdrop for ITV's drama "Rough Treatment," Vodafone commercials, Channel Four's "Celebrity Wife Swap," "Fifth Gear," "Four Weddings," "Walking Through History," and various other television advertising campaigns.

 

Originally a row of three cottages dating back to 1430, The Hatch Inn predates the Newbridge furnaces. In the eighteenth century, these cottages transformed into an inn named "The Cock" before later becoming The Hatch, commemorating the original Coleman's Gate to Ashdown Forest. The inn is one of several designated "Hatches" in the area, signifying gates onto the Royal Ashdown Forest.

 

Legend suggests The Hatch was a haven for smugglers, with rum as its specialty and Captain Kidd as its reputed mastermind, though little evidence supports this claim. The hill descending from Gills Lap, known as Kidd's Hill on the location map, continues to contribute to the inn's mysterious allure—a low, dark structure nestled into the landscape, concealing secrets of its own.

A snowy image of the Hatch Inn Pub it’s January

Address:

Colemans Hatch

East Sussex

TN7 4EJ

+44 (0) 1342822363

Opening Times:

Monday to Thursday   11:30-15:00

                                                17:30-23:00

 

Friday & Saturday       11:30-23:00

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Sunday                               12:00-18:00

Food Serving Times:

Monday to Friday         12:00-14:30

                                                18:00-21:15

 

Saturday                            12:00-15:45

                                                18:00-21:15

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Sunday                               12:00-15:45

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