The Two Sawyers — Restaurant in Rother

April 2022 Longer break 3 nights - Review 3rd time staying at this pub. We were looking forward to staying here again, although knew that things had changed since our last visit. This is still a free house owned and managed by different people within the same family, I understand.

When we arrived we had a great welcome from the woman behind the bar and were shown to our room, Oak, where we had stayed once before. The last guest had taken the room key with them, so there was a slight delay in organising a replacement bit it didn't cause us any issue. All explained and dealt with well.

We ate at The Two Sawyers each night and I generally can't fault the quality of what we chose. We enjoyed it all and especially our breakfasts each day.

This always has been a good beer pub for me and I tried the excellent Harvey's Sussex Bitter each night with a new guest 360° Brewing's Tacoma, American Pale Ale on our last night. I also tried the Beavertown Neck Oil on Wednesday evening, served on keg, which I've only ever had in cans before. Served a bit cold for me, perhaps but still very tasty.

Service was very good each day with some very hard work obviously being put in by several members of staff. Special mention to Abby (hope I've got that correct!) .

All in all, another great stay!!! 5 stars again. Thanks to the whole team!! 👍

2016 Short break 2 nights - Review 2nd time staying at this pub. Traditional beamed pub with many rooms inside, a large garden and really nice accommodation. The food is excellent, breakfasts brilliant, beer choice really good and the staff are very good indeed. Service was excellent, despite the pub being really busy, at times. Special mention for Kyle, who went the extra mile.

We stayed for 3 nights on this, our second visit and our room, Oak, was spacious, spotlessly clean and welcoming. It was really hot when we arrived but a large fan was running to turn the air around. There was also a small fridge in the room with fresh milk and bottled water in.

This is a lively and friendly pub well run by Mark and his team. We loved the music!! We'll get back when we can but Pett is as far south of London, as we are north, so it isn't often.

For fellow CAMRA members or beer lovers. The beer quality is great! Dorking Brewery's Pilcrow Pale was on and is a superb, modern pint with citrus flavours and easy drinking at 4% ABV. Harvey's Sussex Bitter and a Ringwood's standard, this time Old Thumper on cask. Other interesting beers on keg. What's not to love!!

All in all a great...

A Countryside Gem in Pett

Nestled in the serene village of Pett, surrounded by lush green fields and woodlands, and just a short drive from the beach, this pub/BNB offers an unparalleled escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. The location itself is picturesque, but it's the amenities and service that truly stand out.

Parking is never a concern with their spacious lot, a boon for anyone who's faced the woes of limited parking in popular destinations. The expansive outside area, with its meticulously maintained grounds, provides ample seating options for guests looking to drink in the fresh air and idyllic views.

The building, a historic structure from the 1600s, exudes charm and character, giving guests a delightful sense of stepping back in time. Inside, the bar area buzzes with locals, eager to share stories and insights about the area, making it a hub of local culture and camaraderie.

The in-house restaurant is another feather in the cap for this establishment. On my visit, I indulged in a fish dish from the specials menu. Perfectly cooked to have a crispy skin, yet maintaining a tender and fluffy interior, it was a testament to the chef's skills. The following day's full English breakfast, complete with locally sourced sausages from a nearby butcher, was generous in portion and rich in flavor.

But the pièce de résistance of our culinary experience was the roast dinner. As we awaited our order, the air was filled with rave reviews from fellow diners, amplifying our anticipation. We weren't disappointed. Even at the last sitting, the freshness of the food was evident, with vegetables cooked to perfection and meat that melted in the mouth. The portions were generous, and the taste? Simply the best roast I've had in ages.

In conclusion, if you find yourself in Pett and are looking for a place that combines history, hospitality, and haute cuisine, look no further. This pub/BNB is truly a countryside gem.

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The good: very nice staff, lovely location, great beer, interesting menu with varied tempting main course choices.

The not-so-good: food not exactly outstanding but OK. Overpriced.

The awful, at least on our visit: "Seafood platter"..."Dressed crab [maybe 2 dessert spoons worth of brown meat with chopped onion, dolloped - almost smeared - onto a scallop shell; "dressed crab"...really?]; spiced whitebait [maybe 8 of them, dry, over-fried and pretty tasteless]; a few sautéed king prawns in garlic & tarragon butter [OK]; a battered cod fillet [small child portion] served with tarragon tartare sauce [nice sauce]; and "rustic bread" [since when was a little chunk of white French-style bread 'rustic'? Price tag: £23.95. Yes, you read this right, £23.95.

I still can't believe the audacity of charging £23.95 for what was served up. Of course, it is a free choice to order this and, if this 'seafood platter' had included first-rate seafood, including properly 'dressed' crab [and maybe some cockles, winkles etc.] it might have justified a high price. I could not understand why my dining companion a] ordered something like this in the first place at that price and b] did not simply send the plate straight back to the kitchen on sight, especially at the sight of the 'dressed' crab.

Caveat emptor at the Two Sawyers when it comes to food.

Response to Jack: thanks for your feedback. The seafood plate was clearly advertised as a main course, not a starter or a sharing platter. I commented on the platter contents as offered as a main course. Irrelevant how many people took a bite, it was completely clear to all that it was not meant to feed 3 people!! The person who ordered it wasn't that hungry in fact. The price was too high for what was included, in my view. As for the bread, ok, ciabatta masquerading as a baguette. As for the crab, for the exorbitant price surely a bit more white meat could have been...