Beautiful Country Pubs. The Sussex & The Sea

Transcription

1 Beautiful Country Pubs The Sussex & The Sea

2 The Vintage Inns of The Sussex and The Sea Collection From coastal champions like Brighton and Eastbourne to traditional downland villages like Ferring and Climping, plus local beauty spots like Fontwell Park and Crowborough, the 13 hostelries that make up the Vintage Inns Sussex & The Sea Collection are unique places to visit yet have much in common! If you re planning a day s walking, exploring by car, or simply visiting a local attraction in and around Sussex, then you might like to visit us for a morning coffee or refreshing drink, a light lunch, or even a hearty evening meal to round off your outing. Most have pleasant walks from the door, one offers cosy accommodation, and many have country parks, heritage attractions and picturesque hamlets nearby to wonder at. Each of our Inns is a sympathetic restoration of an existing pub and most have been around for over 150 years, some are even older, some newer. They have their own character and charm, but all offer carefully restored period features, log burning fires and a select team of friendly staff. The Vintage Inns of Sussex & The Sea offer a warm welcome and respite on a cold winter s day and the ideal spot to enjoy sunshine, a cold drink and beautiful views on balmy summer evenings. All our Inns serve a full menu of traditional British favourites seven days a week, plus appetizing blackboard specials, and a selection of succulent roasts on a Sunday. At the bar, meanwhile, you ll be tempted by a fine range of Real Cask Conditioned Ales (including popular local brews) and a number of regularly changing guest beers. Vintage Inns also pride themselves on an excellent choice of wines with varieties of all the popular grapes on offer and a flavour and price to suit every taste, occasion and pocket. Contents Devils Dyke Brighton Smugglers Rest Peacehaven Old Stables Fontwell Beachy Head Eastbourne The Cuckmere Inn Seaford Lamb Inn Battle The Oystercatcher Littlehampton Friars Oak Brighton Swallows Return Worthing Crow & Gate Crowborough The Dolphin Haywards Heath Bosham Inn Chichester Hillside Inn Crawley Information Waterside walks Heritage sites National Trust sites Visitor attractions Museums Countryside walks

3 Vintage Inn Collection Sussex & The Sea

4 Devils Dyke Dyke Road, Poynings, Brighton, BN1 8YJ Tel This fine, upstanding rural inn nestles near the villages of Poynings and Fulking on the spectacular South Downs, just north of the seaside city of Brighton. It takes its name from the huge dry valley in which it sits and according to local folklore is an unfinished trench which was dug by the Devil in an attempt to flood the churches and parishioners of the Weald. Today, the valley is home to the renowned Dyke Golf Course and the inn close by offers an ideal spot to rest after a days exploring, either by walking, cycling or even paragliding whilst maintaining incredible views over the South Downs - even to the Isle of Wight on a clear day. Poynings is a village hiding at the base of Devil s Dyke which is well-known for the large earthwork on Dyke Hill that dates from 1000BC and is a Sacred Ancient Monument, while if you look west from Devil s Dyke and Fulking Escarpment you will see classic South Downs landscape, not much different from ancient times, where the hills descend dramatically onto the plains below. And so onto Brighton, which is surely the most fashionable seaside resort in the UK and bursting with history, culture and style. Brighton Pier is a natural treasure while the Volk s Electric Railway (the world s oldest) runs along the inland edge of the Blue Flag shingle beach from the pier down to Black Rock cliffs. Brighton Marina offers lots of factory outlet shops and leisure facilities, while for chic and sophisticated gift shopping try The Lanes area and bohemian North Laine for antiques, art studios and designer clothes. Better the devil you know... The close proximity of the pub to Devil s Dyke valley allows easy access to numerous walks across rolling chalk grassland 31 miles to Eastbourne via the South Downs Way. Plus you can head west towards Fulking and the Sussex Border Path, or onto the Monarch s Way that ends on the seafront above the beach down in Brighton. Walk down our way when visiting the South Downs for quaffable real ales, delicious pub fayre, a diverse range of wines and the warmest welcome this side of Brighton. For details on more attractions around Brighton, plus other ideas for days out in the area, visit 1

5 Smugglers Rest South Coast Road, Telscombe Cliffs, Peacehaven BN10 7BE Tel This attractive and spacious inn with delightful gardens enjoys a spectacular setting on top of the Telscombe Cliffs in Peacehaven. It was formerly known as The Lifeboat Inn, as it kindly funded the first local lifeboat, and the building has original 17th century construction. Quite simply, it s an unrivalled location in the area to enjoy the views and sunset over the expansive sea. Telscombe is a timeless village and the church of St Laurence dates back to 966, while there is evidence that the village was here, or just a short distance away at Highdole Hill, during the Roman period. Peacehaven, by contrast, never existed until 1916, even though its now popular Friars Beach is a serious haunt for fossil hunters and you can see dozens of the enormous Cretaceous predators. Newhaven might be a port with daily ferries to Dieppe, but it is still an interesting place with Paradise Park, a pretty garden centre with its own miniature railway. To the west is the well preserved village of Rottingdean, with farmland on two sides and the English Channel on the other, and this still offers a quintessential village green with duck pond. The sea wall here is now the impressive 3.3 mile Undercliff Walk, which extends to Saltdean and forms part of a longer promenade walk past Brighton and to Portslade. If you do walk the whole way, be sure to stop off in Brighton and Hove because it s funky, fashionable and loaded with seaside city style. Take your pick from a royal palace, pier, museums, elegant Regency architecture, laid back beach life and superb shopping. Coasting along... You can walk from the pub to Rottingdean village along the cliffs, with breathtaking views all the way. Continue on for a few miles and from the western end of Brighton marina head down the road to the base of Black Rock cliffs. Turn right and continue west, alongside the electric railway, and you ll reach the Palace Pier. You re sure to work up an appetite, so take a light lunch and some liquid refreshment before you set off, or reward yourself with a hearty meal at the Smugglers Rest on the way back. For details on more attractions around Peacehaven, plus other ideas for days out in the area, visit 2

6 Old Stables Fontwell Park, Fontwell Avenue, Fontwell, BN18 0SY Tel This rustic country pub with rooms and spacious paddock gardens is located at the award-winning Fontwell Park racecourse between the picturesque towns of Arundel and Chichester. It takes its name from the old buildings that were previously on the site of the racecourse offering great views of the grandstand and parade ring from the pub car park. Fontwell Park is one of the most intimate and friendly tracks in the country and for 16+ years has been voted best small racecourse in the South East. Its attractive figure-of-eight steeplechase course is a perfect venue for both novice and seasoned racegoers alike because it offers uninterrupted views and beautiful scenery. Indeed, undulating chalk downland, surrounds in an area known to the locals as the jewel of West Sussex. The tranquil Denman Gardens are right next door, Madehurst village is situated between two picturesque valleys for quite breathtaking walks, Boxgrove has an impressive priory. Ancient Chichester has a Roman palace and Norman cathedral, and the hamlet of Halnaker has a blacksmiths shop and pretty windmill, while just south is the magnificent treasure trove of Goodwood House. Goodwood, of course, also has a famous racecourse, but more for flat racing, plus a motor circuit that in the Goodwood Revival hosts one of the most historic and celebrated race meetings in the world. The hill top town of Arundel to the east is also within easy reach and its 11th century castle is one of the most imposing in all of England, despite being badly damaged during the Civil War. A racing certainty... From the pub, follow the pathway through Fontwell village and Slindon Common until you reach Whiteway s Lodge and then expansive bridleways take you through scenic Madehurst and Haughton Forest. Alternatively, at Whiteway s Lodge, you can also access the more challenging Monarch s Way and the renowned South Downs Way. There s always room at this friendly inn, so rest up a while after your trek around the Sussex countryside for winning food, wine, ales and welcomes. For details on more attractions around Fontwell, plus other ideas for days out in the area, visit 3

7 Beachy Head Beachy Head Road, Beachy Head, Eastbourne, BN20 7YA Tel This attractive rural inn is located in Beachy Head, near Eastbourne, which is a national beauty spot and famous for its spectacular chalk cliffs and remote lighthouse. It started life as The Queen s Restaurant in 1880 and became The Beachy Head Hotel in the 1890s, whilst during World War II it housed an advanced listening post when according to one local, nothing was served but mince and onions. Today we boast a much more extensive and appetising menu in a panoramic setting with scenic views. Beachy Head rises 162 metres (530 feet) above the sea and is the highest chalk sea cliff in Britain. If you look east you see the beaches and town of Eastbourne, the pier and the harbour, plus Hastings and even Dungeness in Kent, nearly 40 miles away. Looking west, you can see even further, up to 70 miles, past Seaford to Newhaven, Brighton and Selsey Bill. On a very clear day the outline of the Isle of Wight can be seen. Little wonder it s been the scene of famous films like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Robin Hood Prince of Thieves and Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire. The Countryside Centre located at the top of Beachy Head is free and includes the Downland Experience - a special walk through the history of the Downs where you can meet the Talking Shepherd, the Saxon Man and experience the feel and sound of the local wildlife. Life s a beach... Beachy Head Walk involves going onto the beach at the foot of the cliffs, which is quite safe as long as you check the tide times and make sure you walk in the period from 2 hours before to 2-3 hours after low tide. Other walks start and finish at The Countryside Centre next to the inn too, like the Falling Sands route along the golden stretch within sight of the lighthouse. All that sea air is bound to work up an appetite, so retire to The Beachy Head Hotel afterwards for filling food, refreshing drinks and a roaring log fire to warm aching limbs. Eastbourne, meanwhile, has a pleasure pier with all the usual attractions, but it became a prime seaside town during the Victorian era and still maintains a chic, regal air. Its sheltered position behind the cliff also contributes to its title of sunniest place in Britain. For details on more attractions around Beachy Head and Eastbourne, plus other ideas for days out in the area, visit 4

8 The Cuckmere Inn Exceat Bridge, Seaford, East Sussex, BN25 4AB Tel This elevated white inn with attractive gated entrance sits proudly over the Exceat Bridge by the side of the River Cuckmere, just outside the coastal town of Seaford. Major footpaths like the Vanguard Way pass by the pub and lead down to the sea and as the name suggests, the remote shingle beach nearby at Cuckmere Haven has seen many a smuggling run and also persistent raids by French pirates as far back as the 14th century. The inn offers panoramic views over open fields and the valley, while three of the best golf courses in East Sussex are also on the doorstep. Exceat was an ancient village with strategic importance, but is now part of Cuckmere Valley parish and located on what is the A529. The Cuckmere Inn is at the heart of the local community and right next to the Seven Sisters Country Park which is 280 hectares of scenic heaven situated in the South Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Cuckmere Estuary is where the river meets the English Channel and it contains several panoramic oxbow lakes that attract many walkers and watersport enthusiasts. This idyllic location means it is a favourite film location and the latest is Atonement starring Keira Knightley which relied heavily on the isolated beach at Cuckmere Haven. Walk this way... From opposite the Seven Sisters Country Park Visitors Centre you go through a gate and pick up the beautiful South Downs Way on the shoulder of Exceat Hill. An alternative is to take the path that goes down the east side of the straight channel of the River Cuckmere, returning the same way when you reach the coast. Don t miss a golden opportunity to sample the best food, wines, ales and welcome in the area, either before or after your downland experience. Seaford, meanwhile, is also surrounded by the distinctive chalk downland of this area and the geologically rich stretch of coast down to Beachy Head is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The local history museum illustrates the town s colourful Victorian past while the Martello Tower is the most westerly of a chain of 103 fortresses built to protect against invasion in the Napoleonic Wars. For details on more attractions around Seaford, plus other ideas for days out in the area, visit 5

9 Lamb Inn Pevensey Marsh, Hooe, Battle, TN33 9HH Tel This traditional white farmhouse-style inn is conveniently located just off the A259 in Pevensey Marsh that leads to both Eastbourne to the west and Bexhill to the east. It s mentioned in the Doomsday Book in 1084 when it was most likely a shepherd s cottage built halfway between the shepherds homes and the traditional grazing pastures. In 1520 the cottage became an Inn with a charter for allowing shepherds to warm their sickly flock by the fires, but today it s customers and not lambs that get the warm welcome. The marshes are highly protected and lie behind the shingle beach and Pevensey Bay, which although small is a seaside resort in miniature and has many of the facilities of larger counterparts elsewhere. And Pevensey Castle is where the Normans established their first base in England on the site of an earlier Roman fort. It was even used as a look-out over the Channel for German aircraft in World War II. Nearby Norman s Bay also got its name from the 1066 landings, but because of its isolated position, is a quiet and unspoilt holiday resort today, popular with windsurfers, fishermen and ramblers. And it is possible that the Normans landed at Hooe, as legend has it that Standard Hill at Ninfield was the place where the Standard of William the Conqueror was located, rather than Hastings nine miles down the coast. Hooe village also has a colourful smuggling history. Join the flock... From nearby Pevensey & Westham Station, via the castle, you can join the scenic 1066 Country Way through the verdant countryside of East Sussex. Or from here, cross the A27 and walk across and up the Pevensey Levels to Herstmonceux Castle & Observatory for spectacular views. Come and see why all visitors en route, or on their return journey, flock to The Lamb Inn for good food, fine wines, hearty real ales and warming log fires. To view the area as it was 1000 years ago, go to Horse Bridge on the Wartling Road. The only difference from 1066 is the road surface, and the fact that the sea level has dropped about five metres, so where you stand would have been a wide river valley. For details on more attractions around Pevensey Marsh and Hooe, plus other ideas for days out in the area, visit 6

10 The Oystercatcher Yapton Road, Climping, Littlehampton, BN17 5RU Tel This grand looking inn with manicured lawns sits in the quiet village of Climping, just outside the seaside town of Littlehampton and only half a mile from the beach. Partially thatched, it s built on the site of what used to be the private home of a wealthy Middle Eastern family, but they left abruptly in 1992 at the beginning of the first Gulf War and their unfortunate loss is our rewarding gain. Climping has a particularly beautiful church which dates back to the 13th century and has a unique Romanesque doorway, an ancient sun-dial, plus an imposing tower with Crusader Crosses that would have been carved into the stone by knights on their way to the Holy Land. The local dunes that fringe the coast towards the River Arun are also a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Middleton-on-Sea to the west has a good sandy beach, plus the coastline is unusual due to the eight sea defence islands that dominate. Bognor Regis beach is family friendly and particularly good for watersports, while Littlehampton just west offers two European Blue Flag winning beaches, a picturesque harbour and the stunning East Bank riverside development. For culture vultures, meanwhile, the thatched cottage of esteemed English writer William Blake is nearby in the sleepy village of Felpham. Catch of the day... From the pub car park you can cross the A529, walk down Climping Street, and be on the delightful beach at Atherington in how long it takes to walk half a mile. The Littlehampton River Walkway links the town centre with the seafront and includes interactive maritime displays plus panoramic views from all round from the tower. Land the best pub fayre in town at The Oystercatcher, plus cask real ales, fine wines and a warm welcome complemented by roaring log fires and a lovely beer garden. Arundel to the north is a small, but pretty, hilltop town with a majestic castle and magnificent grounds that stands at the head of the Arun Gap and dominates the skyline. St. Nicholas Church at Arundel is unique in being Roman Catholic and Protestant under one roof and John Hansom, who invented the Hansom cab, designed the soaring spire of the Roman Catholic Cathedral. For details on more attractions around Littlehampton, plus other ideas for days out in the area, visit 7

11 Friars Oak London Road, Hassocks, BN6 9NA Tel This regal looking inn is located at the heart of the railway town of Hassocks, right on the local golf course and just north of seaside favourite, Brighton. It was built circa 1900 to serve the thirsty railway construction workers and replaced an older one of the same name that had been erected sometime in the late 18th century. But the first ever Friars Oak stood opposite, 500 years ago and was named after a big oak tree beneath which monks from a local monastery handed out food to the poor. The inn was also used by Sherlock Holmes creator, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, as the setting for his adventure tale Rodney Stone. Hassocks was just a collection of small houses and a coaching house until the 19th century, when work started on the London to Brighton railway and Clayton Tunnel, but the immediate area dates back to early man as demonstrated by the Iron Age fort found on nearby Wolstonbury Hill on the South Downs. On the skyline above Hassocks are the Clayton Windmills dating from the 1800s and known locally as Jack and Jill. Jack featured in a film The Black Mill starring Michael Caine and Donald Pleasance and is privately owned, but Jill was restored and is now open to the public. South Down our way... A pleasant walk from the pub follows a signed footpath across the golf course to West Lodge and ultimately Wolstonbury Hill, 675 feet above sea level. Carry on and you will enter the village of Hurstpierpoint with its predominantly 18th century buildings, while just to the south is the Elizabethan mansion, Danny House. These two form a rewarding circular walk, so make sure you take root at The Friars Oak afterwards for refreshing drinks and/or a hearty meal. Pyecombe village nearby is steeped in ancient downland shepherding history and is the gateway to Brighton through the Clayton Gap. It lies within Sussex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is a popular destination for walkers, horse riders and cyclists because of its picturesque setting and easy access to the South Downs Way. For details on more attractions around Hassocks, plus other ideas for days out in the area, visit 8

12 Swallows Return Littlehampton Road, Worthing, BN12 6PB Tel This traditional and unspoilt country inn resides in the quaint village of Ferring, near Worthing, which is one of the largest seaside resorts in West Sussex. It occupies buildings once known as North Barn, next to some important ancient track-ways which linked South Downs settlements from very early times. More recently, in the 18th century, a windmill was constructed nearby and it was believed that an infamous miller, John Oliver, used the sails of the windmill to signal smugglers. Ferring Parish is now safely within the proposed South Downs National Park, while Highdown and the woods and fields behind it are preserved pretty much as they have been for the last few centuries. The village nucleus of the Norman church and half a dozen thatched cottages from the 17th and 18th centuries are also very much intact. Worthing might get busy in the summer because of its sheltered climate, but it has a much more relaxed and gentle pace than neighbouring Brighton. Indeed, the colourful inshore fishing boats can still be seen pulled up on the beach and hint at earlier times before royal patronage started Worthing s expansion in the Victorian era. Oscar Wilde visited here and wrote The Importance of Being Earnest while on holiday in You ll always come back... Walk up to Highdown Hill from the pub and there are several footpaths which lead on to the villages of Angmering and Patching, as well as offering lovely views of the coast. Alternatively, Ilex Way in nearby Goring-by-Sea is defined as part of the Sussex Cycleway project, plus there are alternative routes along the sea front and coast. Just like the swallows, customers old and new keep coming back for more great food and real ales, fine wines from around the world plus roaring log fires to nest around. Within a seven mile radius of Worthing s town centre lie four of Britain s major neolithic flint mines and the oldest of these mines, at Church Hill in Findon, may well be the earliest known mine in Britain and Europe. Thought to date from the 4th millennium BC, they even predate the great neolithic sights of Stonehenge and Avebury. For details on more attractions around Ferring and Worthing, plus other ideas for days out in the area, visit 9

13 Crow & Gate Uckfield Road, Crowborough, TN6 3TA Tel This pretty, white country inn sits on a small village green-like area in the Poundgate area of the hilltop town of Crowborough in East Sussex. Originally owned by the gatekeeper of Crowborough Gate, guests have been enjoying hospitality at the inn for over 200 years. This continues today as travellers between Uckfield and Royal Tunbridge Wells come to experience our great food, fine wines and real ales in the town which was once home to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Crowborough is a rural market town and is one of the highest points in Sussex being 240 metres (787 ft) above sea level. Ashdown Forest, the setting for A. A Milne s Winnie the Pooh books is on the doorstep indeed the town is surrounded by land which is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and this has kept it relatively unspoilt. Sherlock Holmes creator, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is probably the town s most famous son and he lived at Windlesham Manor from 1907 until his death in It s also close to Tunbridge Wells in Kent and this historic spa town lies at the heart of one of the most scenic stretches of countryside in England surrounded by the unspoilt beauty of the Weald. Retaining much of the charm and elegance of its Georgian heyday, Royal Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding area remains a favoured destination for those who want to enjoy sumptuous surroundings in the countryside and yet be just a short distance from the hustle and bustle of London. Gateway to the Sussex countryside... The High Weald offers rolling hills, sandstone outcrops, steep-sided gills, open heathland, woods, rare wildlife, plus sunken lanes and paths. The pub is also on the edge of the beautiful Ashdown Forest, which has open access. The Crow & Gate is the best pub around by a country mile, so be sure to sample the hearty pub fayre, fine wines, real ales and warm welcome. A mature heathland golf course with spectacular views of the South Downs is next door, while nearby Sheffield Park is internationally renowned for its landscaped gardens. For details on more attractions around Crowborough, plus other ideas for days out in the area, visit 10

14 The Sergison Arms Butlers Green Road, Haywards Heath, RH16 4AH Tel This rambling country inn overlooks the top end of the green in the centre of the historic town of Haywards Heath and is very close to the Muster Green conservation area. It was built in the 16th century and was originally known as Vynals after John Vynall who died in As one of the town s oldest buildings, for 130 years it has been named The Sergison Arms, apart from a name change to The Dolphin for a short while. It was the Sergisons who owned most of the heathland, which makes up the Haywards Heath of today. In the 19th century, Haywards Heath was known as the Metropolis of Mid Sussex and officially became a town in 1862, but its roots go much further back - legend has it that the town took its name Hayward from the highwayman, Jack Hayward. The major remains of the medieval period are the two houses, Great Haywards and Little Hayward, which date back to the beginning of the 15th century. Local beauty spots include Ditchling Beacon on the South Downs Way, which at 813 feet offers some of the best views in Sussex, while the Bluebell Railway that runs between Sheffield Park and Kingscote to the east is stunning during the bluebell season. Making a splash... The Scrase Valley Nature Reserve between the town and Lindfield village just to the north has been preserved as wet land and is ideal for nature walks and bird watching. Ardingley Reservoir nearby is set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and also has a well-respected sailing school catering for all ages and abilities. Drink in the views and then take refreshment yourself at a hostelry bursting with tradition, and renowned for classic pub fayre throughout the ages. One of the most successful smaller jump racecourses is nearby at Plumpton and National Trust properties abound Wakehurst Palace is Kew s country garden with rare and exotic plants from across the world, while Nymans is set around a romantic house and ruins in a beautiful wooded estate with medieval lakes and seasonal wild flowers. For details on more attractions around Haywards Heath, plus other ideas for days out in the area, visit 11

15 Bosham Inn Main Road, Bosham, Chichester, PO18 8PW Tel This beautiful listed building sits at the head of the picturesque and historic Chichester Harbour. Situated in a rural location on the A259, the pub is a stone s throw away from Bosham and the picturesque village of Chidham. A former vicarage for the parish, it has been painstakingly restored having previously been reincarnated as a hotel and a Victorian dining house. The inn is marked on a map of 1875 as Hamstead House where it is shown opposite a disused malthouse. Bosham village stands on a small peninsula between two tidal creeks at the eastern end of Chichester Harbour. As well as providing an excellent sanctuary for migrating wildfowl it is a wonderful centre for sailing with literally hundreds of moorings for boats and yachts. Artists, walkers and weekenders love the place and all year round it draws visitors like a magnet, particularly those with a sense of history. The local parish church has the original chancel that is depicted and named in the Bayeux Tapestry, while Bosham is also the place where the Saxon King Canute famously tried to turn back the tide. Also, the Manor House in Bosham is said to be full of buried Cavalier treasure, put there at the time of the Civil War. Bosham s best From the village, cut across the peninsula down Fishbourne Channel, go through Dell Quay before arriving at Itchenor to catch the ferry across the channel (10 miles). Kingley Vale Nature Reserve nearby has an ancient woodland and walking through the magnificent yew grove has been compared to walking through a cathedral. Suitably invigorated and inspired, seek out The Bosham Inn for another memorable experience but this time involving your taste buds. Stanstead Park is a local beauty spot and stands in 1800 acres of ancient beech forest. The historic house and grounds are open to the public and highlights include the arboretum, private chapel, mansion rooms and fully furnished servants quarters below the stairs. For details on more attractions around Bosham and Chichester, plus other ideas for days out in the area, visit 12

16 Hillside Inn Balcombe Road, Crawley, RH10 7SX Tel This historic inn resides in the eastern fringes of the market town of Crawley, just south of Gatwick Airport perfect for that last meal before jetting off and conveniently placed between junctions 10 and 10a of the M25. Formerly known as The King s Head, The Hillside Inn started life as a coaching inn during the early 1800s when coach travel between London and Brighton really took off. And this tradition still continues today with passers by from Surrey and all over West Sussex coming to sample the great food, fires, ales and diverse wine menu. Just south of the inn is Tilgate Park, 400 acres of landscaped gardens and ornamental lakes known locally as The Ark in the Park because it s home to more unusual creatures like wallabies. It was originally part of the Worth Forest that dates back to Norman times and was the scene of a famous dinosaur fossil discovery. Buchan Country Park is only slightly further afield, and still only two miles from Crawley town centre, offering 170 acres of woodland, heath and meadow. Unusual sculptures such as owls, fish and deer are carved from wind blow trees and dotted around. This is also an idyllic place for walking, wildlife watching or enjoying a picnic. It s green and worth it... Greenway is a 15 mile orbital footpath around Crawley which links up the best parks and open spaces in the town and meanders through pretty woodlands. Worth Way is a pleasant seven mile route from nearby Three Bridges through open countryside to East Grinstead that s used by walkers, horse riders and cyclists. Be sure to find your way back for a real welcome in The Hillside an inn famous for its hospitality throughout the ages. High Beech Gardens is a botanical treasure trove and one of the great exotic gardens of Sussex. Wakehurst Place (NT) is Kew s country garden with plants from all over the world, while Ardingly Reservoir next door is a popular coarse fishing venue. Its Activity Centre also provides watersports for the public including wind surfing, canoeing, powerboating and dinghy sailing. For details on more attractions around Crawley, plus other ideas for days out in the area, visit 13