Petras Gagilas via Flickr

East Sussex is a major destination for Londoners escaping to the coast, with colourful Brighton, genteel Eastbourne and historic Hastings just a few of the options. Battle and Rye don’t have the sea views, but there are plenty of beautiful sights to see, and then there’s the coastal walking and the South Downs Way to be getting on with. And all of these destinations are home to some of our pick of the best pubs with rooms in Sussex - lovely, atmospheric inns with great food and comfortable rooms.

Pengannel via Flickr

West Sussex, as a county, is probably a little bit more peaceful, with a less dramatic coastline and the beautiful, cultured market towns of Chichester and Arundel. And of course more of the hills and dales of the South Downs. But when putting together a list of the best pubs with rooms in Sussex, our Gurus found just as many great pubs in West as East Sussex. And we happen to think that staying in a pub, with the camaraderie, the peace, the food and not having to worry about getting home at night, is a great way to experience Sussex. So here are out Guru’s recommendations for the best pubs with rooms in Sussex.

15 of The Best Pubs with Rooms in Sussex

The Best Sussex Pubs with Rooms with a View

• The White Horse Inn near Chichester is a cosy and charming inn offering 14 rustic, but elegant rooms and the option to have a private terrace with hot tub. The gardens boast panoramic views over the rolling Sussex countryside. The restaurant has a superb wine list, and the whole place is pet friendly.
• The Angel in Midhurst is a beautiful, Georgian coaching inn, recently refurbished, but to highlight many of its wonderful original features. Some of the 15 rooms have spectacular views. The food is inventive and the bar is lively.

The Most Romantic Pubs with Rooms in Sussex

• Chichester’s Royal Oak is a charming, 200 year old inn which has become a bit more of a restaurant with rooms - the award-wining food was so good it overshadowed the bar. But we’re including it anyway because it still has all the requisite features and is a great spot for couples looking for a country escape.
• The Mermaid Inn is an historic, 13th century inn right in the centre of Rye. The whole place oozes period charm, from the black and white Tudor exterior to the carved four-poster beds, sloping, beamed ceilings and vast fireplaces. The food gets a 2 AA Rosette rating.

• Don't let the 'pub with rooms' categorisation put you off, The Ginger Pig in Brighton is a seriously chic spot. Smart rooms mix traditional and modern styles with steel green walls contrasting against the light parquet floors. The bathrooms are uber luxurious and the restaurant and bar serve exemplary food and cocktails.
• Arundel’s Swan Hotel is a charming local inn in a great spot. There are 14 rooms, decorated with simple, neutral luxury. The pub is cosy and the restaurant specialises in seasonal fare.
• The George in Rye is historic, but very newly refurbished, so now you can expect all the modern, stylish trims inside a charming Georgian building. Each room is individual, and the atmosphere is relaxed.

The Best Pubs with Rooms in Sussex For Walkers

• The Crab and Lobster in Sidlesham is a 16th century inn on the edge of Pagham Harbour Nature Reserve, with smart contemporary interiors. The restaurant is very popular - and well stocked with local supplies, and the views over the salt marshes are very peaceful.
• The Horse Guards Inn is a wonderfully homely inn on the outskirts of the 700 acre Petworth House Estate in the South Downs National Park. There are just three rooms and the atmosphere is cosy and welcoming.

• The Bull is a smart 16th century pub with rooms, and has long been a firm favourite for locals and travellers alike. Lively and vibrant, it has six chic bedrooms, an excellent restaurant - and they serve beer from their own brewery.
• Also close to the South Downs, and Wakehurst Place, and Gatwick Airport, the Old House Inn has been converted from a farmhouse, and has six spacious, quirky rooms. The dining has an AA Rosette award and a full English breakfast is included in the room rate.
• The Halfway Bridge in Petworth is a cosy inn with six comfortable rooms, a warm atmosphere and good food. You’re surrounded by the beautiful Sussex countryside, but close to the cafes and antique shops of Petworth and there are walking trails leading off to the South Downs right from the door.

The Best Pubs with Rooms in Sussex for Families

• The White Hart in South Harting is a quintessential rural village inn, but with a few nice quirky touches. There are the wonderful old features you’d hope to find, like vast fireplaces, exposed beams and colourful tartans, but there’s modern bathrooms and hearty, but modern meals, served elegantly. Great for cyclists as well as walkers and families.

The Best Value Pubs with Rooms in Sussex

• The Griffin Inn in Fletching is a very popular village gastropub with 12 comfortable rooms offering expansive views over the peaceful Ouse Valley. Rooms start from £85 and are very family friendly.
• The Ship Inn in Rye, is a laid back pub with a Michelin recommendation and ten simple rooms. It’s a traditional pub with all the best kind of details: exposed beams, wooden floors and solid, but weathered, furniture. Rooms start from £110 per night including fabulous breakfast.

If you haven’t found your idea of the best pubs with rooms in Sussex on our Guru’s list of 15 of the best pubs with rooms in Sussex you could:

• Browse through our list of all the best places to stay in East Sussex or West Sussex,
• expand your search to include the best pubs with rooms in Berkshire,
• or our Guru’s collection of Great Hampshire Pubs with Rooms,
• or see all of the best pubs with rooms in the South East,
• or contact one of our friendly Gurus for advice.

15 of the Best Pubs with Rooms in Sussex

 

Written by Kat Parr Mackintosh

posted Friday, 7th June 2019