Arlington's cosy The Old Oak Inn voted best pub in Sussex

Landlady Kate Maynard says the vote in The Argus Your Favourite awards made all of her hard work worthwhile after she bought the pub with her husband during the pandemic.

The Old Oak Inn, built in 1733, sits just opposite the entrance to Abbots Wood in Arlington and boasts a secluded garden with views across the South Downs.

Inside, oak beams and roaring log fires are the perfect cosy atmosphere for punters enjoying its Sussex ales and eclectic wine list.

The team outside the pub. Left to right: Ryan Wilbraham, Kate Maynard, Damo Hill and Alex Jones (Image: The Argus)

"We have now been voted Sussex’ favourite pub by Argus readers two years running, which is a testament to the loyalty of our customers and the efforts of all of our staff to provide a warm welcome and first-class food," she said.

"Hospitality is a challenging sector at the moment but awards like this, make all of the hard work worthwhile”.

The pub garden (Image: Supplied)

The venue is Kate's first pub and she has already gained the trust of regulars who enjoy the drinks and top-class food on offer from its Michelin-trained chef.

Jazz is played every other Sunday and hosts other artists throughout the year, along with other functions and quizzes which raise lots of money for charity.

She added: "More than anything the pub prides itself on offering a really warm welcome to all, whether coming for the first time or those who return time after time."