Three Oaks

Three Oaks in East Sussex Village Guide

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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JF Stoneworks
JF Stoneworks

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Attractions and Activities

Hastings Fishermen’s Museum

A former fishermen’s church by old net shops, now a museum on local fishing with ship models, nets, old photographs and the Lugger ‘Enterprise’, built in 1912. An adjacent net shop may also be viewed, together with 4 more fishing … more

St Anthony of Padua

Roman Catholic Church Franciscan Friary Fax: 01797 223 066 Mass Times Sunday Obligation Saturday 6pm, Sunday 8am and 10:45am Monday 9am Tuesday 9:00 am followed by St Anthony’s devotions Wednesday 9am Thursday No Mass Friday 6pm followed by Adoration & … more

Accommodation

Cadborough Cottages

There are four delightful one bedroom cottages, which have been lovingly renovated from the farm building at Cadborough Farm. One mile from Rye town centre yet in the heart of beautiful countryside. Peaceful location with plenty of on-site parking and … more

Rye Harbour Cottage

A cosy 2 bedroomed cottage in Rye Harbour. Offers Lounge, kitchen/dining room, shower room downstairs, with one double bedroom + one twin room upstairs. Well situated to access local places of interest and close to the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. … more

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

Restaurants

River Haven Hotel

A Warm welcome awaits you at the River Haven Hotel & Restaurant. This family run comfortable Hotel of 22 en-suite rooms in the Ancient town of Rye is situated on the Strand Quay over looking the River Tillingham. Our conservatory … more

Big Guys French Fries

We’re an independent small restaurant located steps from the centre of town. We’re proud to be the favourite for locals to meet friends for a beer or call for a fresh “big guy burger”. We serve juicy big burgers and … more

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