You want to get up to cliff tops if you're in Hastings.... it's the best bit - it's a bit rough a ready, one of the few cheap places left in the South East, very much on the cards for gentrification!

'We don't recommend the local beer' - that's rough.

Lewes is close to Hastings and home to Harvey's Brewery, and that's well worth checking out - tour and some of the best beer around, they do a different brew each month of the year.

Dark Star in Brighton is also well worth checking out - they tend to do better higher percentage beers.

If you get as far as Surrey - Surrey Hills, Ranmore is an award winner and there's a great brewery called Pilgrim in Reigate.

In Kent - look out for Goachers Gold Star.

There's also a lot of micro pubs in the South East worth looking out for - big on the North coast of Kent, and in my home town of Medway. If you're there the pub with best selection of real ales is the Man of Kent - bit of a dive, but friendly enough!

Have a nice trip!