Boutique hotels in West Sussex
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West Stoke House
- Style
- Boutique bed and breakfast
- Setting
- Glorious Goodwood
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Amberley Castle
- Style
- Moated mediaeval retreat
- Setting
- Scenic Sussex
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The Crab & Lobster
- Style
- Contemporary rusticity
- Setting
- Pagham Harbour bird sanctuary
West Sussex
Eating, drinking and dancing
We've tracked down the best cafés for people-watching, the bars with the coolest cocktails, the most accomplished restaurants and the liveliest local nightlife in West Sussex.
Restaurants
(+44 (0)1243 527434)
Royal Oak
A first-class gastropub with rooms, where the menu is a most-wanted list of ham-hock terrine, calf’s liver and bacon with celeriac mash, warm orange bread and butter pudding, and the low leather sofas and unfussy decor an unjarring setting for city escapees.
Pook Lane, East Lavant, West Sussex PO18 0AX
(+44 (0)1903 883131)
The George and Dragon
It looks like one, but this establishment near Arundel isn’t identifiable as a pub as such: it’s a dining establishment where the local well-heeled come for impeccable Sunday roasts and home-made puddings in a civilised atmosphere. Booking advisable (www.georgeanddragonburpham.com).
Main Street, Burpham, Arundel, West Sussex BN18 9RR
(+44 (0)1243 575226)
West Stoke House
For accomplished food and an atmosphere of chic informality, in-the-know locals and weekenders book ahead to eat and/or stay at this lovely Georgian house near the Goodwood Estate. After drinks in the relaxed, red-painted reception room, diners are shown to an elegant former ballroom, to eat Michelin-starred food, such as ravioli of lobster followed by venison with chocolate sauce.
Downs Road, West Stoke, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 9BN
(+44 (0)1243 537352)
The Dining Room at Purchases
Focusing on seafood and game, this lovely restaurant set in a Georgian merchant’s house is a good spot for lunch or dinner; in summer, get a table in the walled garden outside. There’s also a stylish wine and tapas bar, 31 North, if you fancy something a little more relaxed (www.thediningroom.biz).
31 North Street, Chichester, West Sussex PO19 1LY
Cafés
(+44 (0)1903 731903)
East Beach Café
At the other end of the aesthetic scale from your average beach-shack caff, this brand-new building at Littlehampton combines state-of-the-art architecture with potted shrimps and kedgeree.
Sea Road, Littlehampton, West Sussex BN17 5NZ
(+44 (0)1243 572475)
Captain’s Table Tea Room
A guilelessly nice, family-friendly spot for a cuppa situated among more than a dozen stalls selling marine paintings, wooden toys, dough initials and so on at the Bosham Walk Art & Craft Centre. The cakes are home-made and the cream teas are good value (www.bosham-walk.co.uk).
Bosham Walk, Bosham, West Sussex PO18 8HX
Pubs
(+44 (0)1243 641233)
The Crab & Lobster
This charming little inn right next to Pagham Harbour Nature Reserve has – as the name suggests – plenty of delicious fresh fish and seafood on its menu.
Mill Lane, Mill Hamlet, Sidlesham, Chichester, West Sussex PO20 7NB
(+44 (0)1243 811461)
The Fox Goes Free
More of a local than many gastro’d pubs, full of character and chat, with cosy winter-time tables by an old open fireplace, plus a good-sized garden, the Fox Goes Free combines the qualities of village institution and decent kitchen admirably (www.thefoxgoesfree.com).
Charlton, near Goodwood, West Sussex PO18 0HU
(+44 (0)1243 811318)
The Star and Garter
In nearby East Dean, this pared-down, wooden-floored dining pub is a favourite among Goodwood day-trippers, who come for whole plaice with lemon butter, or fine ham and eggs.
East Dean, near Goodwood, West Sussex PO18 0JG
