About Three Oaks in East Sussex

Even if it’s something of a cliche about rural Britain that the pub is always at the centre of village life there cannot be many truer examples than in Three Oaks.

In fact the pub in question is even called Three Oaks Pub, as if it were the representative and embodiment of the place.

But before we venture inside that extraordinary establishment it’s certainly worth taking in the small settlement that surrounds it.

This is an immaculately maintained village that seems so cloistered it is difficult to believe you are less than two miles from the suburbs of Hastings. At the epicentre there are good examples of Victorian farmworker’s cottages with more modern, and very well kept, bungalows and post-war housing towards the edge.

The Parish notice board is busily updated, with emphasis on the village hall which in Spring 2022 had reportedly just undergone maintenance but plans, so the notice said, for an entirely new building were soon to be announced. Clearly Three Oaks, despite a population of only around five hundred, is a place keen on excelling itself.

A good detective still might miss it, but there’s also a railway station and it’s one so unusual that you might consider going a few meters out of your way to investigate. With a single platform only long enough to accommodate one carriage (look for signs reminding the guard not, under any circumstances, to open all the train’s doors!,) it none the less contains a small, cared-for waiting shelter – and you might be waiting some time – as well as modern ticket machine and help point.

Services are either hourly or every two hours depending on the time of day and day of the week, both towards either Hastings (only 10 minutes) or Ashford (half an hour). This irregularity means that if you want to join the short list of visitors who have travelled from this peculiar little halt then make sure you’re wise to the times in advance.

But if you’ve just missed your train home then it’s only a short walk back to the nucleus of the village and it’s wonderfully eccentric pub.

Walking into the Three Oaks you are immediately struck but what appears to be an explosion of bric-a-brac but on closer inspection turns out to be a collection of collections that have all got wonderfully out of control.

Old cash registers decorate the fire side, Mexican sombreros compete for space at the bar with plastic sunglasses, chamber pots fill an entire wall, gnomes in various states of undress guard the door. It’s a brilliant assault and takes a moment to comprehend.

“Was there one thing in particular that started all this off,” we ask the landlady.

“Yes,” she nods. “The Landlord.”

A separate games room, containing a pool table, is decorated with motorcycle helmets and bike parts.

It’s very much like accidentally intruding on one very happy person’s bizarre hobby and it’s difficult to think of a better accolade for a pub than than.

The one thing we couldn’t spot were any model trains, but then you could argue that Three Oaks has that covered in real life down at the tiny station.

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Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
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Attractions and Activities

Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin

For almost 900 years the Parish Church of Rye, dedicated to St Mary the Virgin, has dominated the hill on which the old town stands. It has stood through good times and bad. In 1377 when the town was looted … more

St Leonards Gardens

St Leonards Gardens is a beautiful public park located in St Leonards-on-Sea. It is a picturesque and well-maintained green space that offers a tranquil retreat for both locals and visitors. The gardens span approximately 4.5 acres and is situated near … more

Hastings Museum & Art Gallery

Hastings Museum and Art Gallery is a captivating cultural institution nestled in the heart of Hastings, East Sussex, England. This museum and gallery showcase a diverse collection of exhibits that span a wide range of topics, offering visitors a fascinating … more

Accommodation

Glencoe Farm

Set in 5 acres and yet just over a five minute walk to the town centre and citadel of Rye, Glencoe is peacefully situated overlooking fields towards the ancient town of Winchelsea. The many excellent restaurants and public houses of … more

Larkin House

Offering inner courtyard views, Larkin House is an accommodation set in Rye, 43 km from Leeds Castle and 45 km from Folkestone Central Railway Station. The property is around 46 km from Eastbourne Miniature Steam Railway Adventure Park, 46 km … more

Haydens

Haydens is a small, family-run, environmentally friendly B&B right in the heart of the ancient market town of Rye, an area gilded in literary and artistic history. We aim to provide a comfortable and luxurious setting for guests to relax … more

Restaurants

Seed

Seed is a tapas bar in Hastings’ historic Old Town. Known for its fusion of traditional Spanish and contemporary flavours, Seed offers a variety of tapas dishes that cater to both meat-eaters and vegetarians. The establishment provides a cosy atmosphere, … more

Haydens Coffee Shop

Fair trade and organic tea, coffee and hot chocolate. Freshly prepared breakfasts, lunches and cakes served in a warm friendly atmosphere every day. Fully licensed.

The Ship Inn

In the centre of the small, charming town of Rye, the Ship is a modern take on the traditional English inn – a cosy pub, rich in original character, with simple, comfortable en suite rooms above. Originally built in 1592, … more

Towns and villages near Three Oaks …

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