Crown & Anchor

Nice enough pub close to Preston Park, with a few TV screens showing Sky Sports. It's on the edge of 'Preston Village', a small settlement of a few flint-walled cottages now completely engulfed by suburbia, and on the main A23 road into Brighton.


The pub itself is spacious, and decorated in that modern style which is fast becoming ubiquitous, of flecked carpet, dark wooden furniture and maroon walls: so not especially atmospheric or interesting, but comfortable enough (and, to be fair, all spotlessly clean - including the Gents' loos).


The high point was the real ale selection: Harvey's Sussex Bitter, Hop Back's Summer Lightning, and King & Barnes Sussex Bitter, all well kept. It's quiet at week-ends, but gets busier in the evenings (and very busy for key sporting events, especially if Brighton and Hove Albion FC are playing at home, as the stadium is not far away).


Service is friendly and efficient, and prices are pretty reasonable for Brighton. So, not a pub you'd go out of the way for, but fine to pop in, if you are in the area.

The Crown and Anchor is located right at the bottom of Preston Drove on the main A23 road in. Its a real down to earth pub with staff of equal qualities. It does get extremely busy on football match days (I'm assuming this will change when Falmer is built) but otherwise its a very tranquil place to enjoy a well poured pint and some nice pub grub.

There's a car park around the back which a lot of people don't notice, just turn immediately right past the pub and its tucked around the corner.

The pub has plenty of space and large TVs for watching sport and also a nice new pool table that you can play during half time. There's a fantastic selection of real ales on the bar and one of my favourite ciders - Weston's Traditional Scrumpy. Enjoy it with their lovely bangers and mash!

The Pub also offers B&B rooms above but prices vary due to the time of year and amount of people etc. I'm sure its a lot cheaper and more relaxing than staying in the center of town though. The number 5 bus goes just over the road and can drop you directly into the middle of town in no time.

Gave this pub 5 stars to give a little more positivity to the over all score.
Nice bar staff, nice pub food, great for a quick lunch.
I wouldn't go super out my way to come here but if you're close by give it a whirl.

Nice to be able to have a mini-break, staying with family, and stroll down The Drove for a really nice pint of well kept Harveys Sussex. Good pub with some good grub. Great area to stay innot too far out of Brighton .