The Talbot — Restaurant in Mid Sussex

If you fancy a lovely quiet 30th birthday celebration I wouldn’t bother booking, however if you fancy being subject to a violent unprovoked attack by their regulars, by all means do pay a considerable sum to host an event here.

Two of their longstanding ‘clientele’ started a fight with my party members and the handling of this situation by the staff and management team/owner has been absolutely appalling. This is after the two in question had been sitting drinking since 2pm the same day - a casual 7 hours of drinking time had by these foul men before the event unfolded. Not sure that’s a coincidence. After radio silence from the establishment after the event, I expressed my bitter disappointment and how appalled I was with their management and asked for a small refund due to the party being cut short after 2 hours. Cue the the owners intervention, who has decided to sit behind his computer playing keyboard warriors, changing his story every few sentences alongside spouting outright lies about the events of the night and various other topics. It’s funny how he seems to think he knows exactly what happened, however waltzed in 10 minutes before we decided to call it a night and leave? Not once has anyone called me to find out if A) I/my party are ok and B) apologise. You as an establishment control who enters/frequents/drinks in your pub - you have got it catastrophically wrong. The organisation prior to the event itself was also terrible. Emailing 3 different people, having to chase them for answers but then being chased myself for things I’d already responded on. Do not...

Once upon a time, “village pub” meant clingfilm-wrapped sandwiches, a pint of something tepid, and a faint smell of damp Labradors. But The Talbot in Cuckfield has done the clever thing: kept the soul of the classic English boozer while dragging the rest—reluctantly but stylishly—into the modern era.

Cuckfield itself is peak English charm: red brick, Tudor beams, and a population who wear gilets like they’re uniforms. And there, right in the middle of it all, sits The Talbot. Not trying to be anything it’s not—just doing the pub thing properly, with a few new tricks.

The menu is varied and actually edible—burgers that aren’t shameful, pies that weren’t bought in a truck, even a vegan option that doesn’t look like punishment. The beer list’s solid too: local ales, decent craft choices, and not a whiff of grapefruit-infused nonsense unless you want it.

Outside, there’s a smart little terrace where people vape instead of smoke, which tells you everything you need to know. This isn’t a dusty old pub with darts and damp; it’s a place where you can drink, eat, chat, and not feel like you’re intruding on a local’s-only club from 1974.

In short: The Talbot is what every village pub should be in 2025. Familiar but fresh. Traditional but not tired. A proper pub for people who don’t want to live in the past—or...

Passed through Cuckfield on a Friday night and stopped for food with friends at The Talbot before flying to Barcelona the next day... I didn't regret it and I found out why... New Management!

The pub looks great with a lovely courtyard and really cool old fashioned red phone box outside. I was greeted by Martin who, I believe, runs the place. He was super friendly and very helpful.

We were shown to a nice table and were promptly offered drinks, of which there was an awesome array. I settled on a Sagres, which kicked the weekend off perfectly.

I had a cracking steak which was cooked to perfection and evidently excellent quality meat. I also snaffled a mouthful of my friends belly pork, which I have to say was equally delicious.

I chose a Chocolate pudding and this too was amazing.

Overall the service could not be faulted, with friendly staff there when you needed them. The atmosphere was great, the value was impressive and overall we had a great night.

Definitely recommend and I will be going back to sample the rest of their menu. Other reviews also suggest as awesome Sunday roast......