Thursday 18 December 2014

The Twelve Pubs of Christmas!

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me a glass of the finest G 'n' T!


With the festive season now in full swing and Christmas day only one week away, it's time to finish the last little bits of present buying and food shopping, put on your party hat and head to the pub to celebrate with friends and family.

Eastbourne and the surrounding areas have an overwhelming number of pubs for you to visit this Christmas, we really are spoiled for choice. From family favorites to the best pubs for after work drinks, here's our round up of twelve Eastbourne pubs that are a must-do this Christmas!

1. The Farm @ Friday Street in Langney has recently been awarded Silver in the Best Tourism Pub of the South East, in the Beautiful South Awards and not without good reason! The large pub is extremely cosy, with a grand open fire to warm yourself by whilst you indulge in the fine wines, locally brewed beers and locally sourced freshly made food all on offer. A festive menu is available by pre-ordering, although they are now fully booked for Christmas day!

Farm @ Friday Street

2. If you're out walking along the Seven Sisters and the Cuckmere Valley over Christmas, then you're going to need to warm-up and refuel, so head to The Golden Galleon for a lovely riverside pub with a log fire. They serve up great traditional pub food and real ales, and are a family friendly pub making it the perfect place to gather after a Boxing Day family walk.

3. In the last few working days before Christmas, why not gather your colleagues and friends in Bibendum on South Street? This town pub is looking very festive, with a large brightly decorated tree and twinkling fairy lights and it's comfortably full with young people gathering for a post-work Christmas tipple. With good wines, champagnes and mulled wine on offer, it won't disappoint.

4.  The Lamb Inn in Old Town is boasting a delectable Christmas menu this year, so if you're planning a last minute festive feast with friends, contact them quickly to take advantage of a delicious menu at a very purse-friendly price. The beer and ale served at The Lamb, is brewed and supplied by the local iconic Harveys Brewery of Lewes, making it a popular pub with Eastbourne locals. Christmas Eve would be the perfect time for a visit, as seconds away is St Mary's Church who welcome everyone to their Carol Service at 4.30pm and to Midnight Mass at 11.30pm.

5. Nestled into the quaint little Willingdon Village you will find the Wheatsheaf Inn, and there is plenty of room at this Inn this festive season. See the Church Street Nativity on Friday 19th, and catch some live music from an 8-piece string band on Saturday 20th. This pub is always buzzing on Christmas Eve and they are also open for three hours on Christmas Day!

6. Beachy Head Pub is located right next to the South Downs National Park, making for stunning views when sat by the window in the pub. Family friendly and pet friendly, the festive menu on offer at Beachy Head is mouth watering, so why not book a table for a hearty New Year's Day family dinner after a glorious walk?
Beachy Head Pub

7. The Harvester is a great family pub located at the Harbour end of Eastbourne, and they are still taking bookings for Christmas Day. If it's a full-on three course dinner for the family you're after, instead of cooking at home, then you won't find better value for money in many other places this Christmas. Alternatively, the pub makes another post-walking place to warm up this winter, with warm fires and wonderful decorations.

8. After the Bandstand Boxing Day Concert, head to The Ship close by in Meads Village for some mid-day drinks with friends and family. Their tasteful Christmas decorations are simply beautiful this year, creating a very warm and festive atmosphere for all to enjoy. Warm yourself up by the fire whilst drinking their Winter Pimms or Mulled Wine, whilst you enjoy a relaxing day with loved ones. 
The Ship at Meads


9. South Street spoils Eastbourne for great pubs, with The Dolphin being another cosy Christmas venue for festive drinks. The Dolphin are also spoiling their guests with an array of yummy winter drinks being served. Winter Pimms, Baileys Hot Chocolate, Honey Toddy and Dainty Damsel are only half of the festive drinks of offer, why not try and taste them all this Christmas period?

10. The Tiger Inn in East Dean dates back to the fifteenth century and serves beers and ales brewed only minutes down the road at Beachy Head Brewery. This warm, traditional and historical pub makes a necessary pit-stop if you're taking a walk on Beachy Head this Christmas, and the pub even has five guestrooms, if you're lucky there may even be some room at the Inn to make a night of it this Christmas.

11. The Old Oak Inn in Arlington, close to Abbot's Wood and not far from Polegate and Hailsham is the perfect place to spend New Years Eve! Dance the last night of the year away with classic disco music or indulge in a lavish five course dinner, before welcoming the New Year in with a glass of champagne and a festive firework display.

12. Christmas in Eastbourne wouldn't be complete without a visit to The Marine pub on Seaside! This place truly comes alive at Christmas, and is famous for being the most decorated pub in all the town! With tinsel, baubles, lights and more hanging from the ceiling and walls throughout the entire pub, it is a sea of Christmas sparkle and a real gem of Eastbourne! On Christmas Day, it makes the perfect pub to visit after the Bandstand Christmas Day Concert to have a Yuletide drink with friends, before heading home for Christmas Dinner!

The Marine
We hope you enjoyed this guide to the Best of Eastbourne Pubs this Christmas! Have fun getting Merry but remember to drink responsibly!






Thursday 4 December 2014

A Grand Ol' Christmas Recipe: Delicious Chocolate Chestnut Cake

The Grand Hotel Eastbourne's, Head Pastry Chef Carlos Dantas, has shared a delectable Christmas recipe with us. So we're spreading the love and sharing the recipe for all to read... and try.


Why not put your baking skills to the test this weekend and try making your own Christmas Chocolate Chestnut Cake? What's more, it's a Gluten Free recipe, so it's perfect for the special dietary requirements of your guests (or you, if you plan on scoffing the whole thing yourself).

Carlos' Christmas Chocolate Chestnut Cake


Ingredients

200g Dark chocolate (70%)
250g Unsalted butter
250g Chopped cooked chestnuts
200ml Milk
225g Sugar
4 Large eggs (separated)


Method

1. Melt the chocolate and butter together over a low heat until mixed.
2. In a food processor, mix the chestnuts and the milk into a puree.
3. Whisk the egg yolks and 125g of sugar to a light fluffy consistency.
4. Whisk the egg whites with 100g of sugar.
5. Mix the chocolate sauce with the chestnut puree, then fold in the egg yolks.
6. Gently, next fold in the egg whites to retain volume.
7. Lightly grease an 8-10 inch baking tray.
8. Pour in the mixture and smooth the top.
9. Bake in a preheated oven at 170 degrees Celsius for 30-40 minutes (it should be firm but not hard to the touch).

To make a Ganache topping, mix 100g of chocolate with 125g of double cream and 50g of butter. A tablespoon of Rum is optional, although highly recommended by Carlos!

We've still to try baking this tasty-looking cake ourselves, but we're going to have a Visit Eastbourne team bake-off to see who can make the most delicious Christmas Chocolate Chestnut Cake; we may even get Carlos over here to be the tasting judge.

Share your photos of your attempts at baking this Chocolate Chestnut treat with us on Twitter @VisitEastbourne or Facebook, or share some of your own special Christmas recipes.


If you don't fancy baking, but would love to indulge in some yummy delicacies made by Carlos, then you can book a table in one of the two Grand Hotel restaurants and have a yourself a merry little Christmas treat!

Happy Baking!