Pub with rooms in Chichester | Purchases

Overview

You can't miss this stylish bar-cum-restaurant with rooms in the heart of Chichester - it's housed within a striking bow-fronted Georgian building on North Street, just a short stroll from the impressive cathedral.

It was once home to Purchases Wine Merchants (oldest in Sussex) but owner Nick Sutherland wisely retained the name when transforming the immaculately renovated property into a smart dining venue. The lively and informal front bar continues the tradition of offering exemplary wines.

There's a relaxed, unstuffy atmosphere in the dining room, which retains a period feel, and walls are adorned with colourful modern artwork on loan (and for sale) from the well respected Pallant House Gallery on North Pallant.

The walled rear terrace is a special place to drink and dine alfresco, replete with olive trees, soft lighting, heaters, chill-out sofas and intimate covered dining areas. The five super bedrooms (opened May 2020) are the icing on the cake - Purchases is now a chic city bolthole.

Rooms from:

5 doubles: £80

Good to know

Major credit cards accepted (except Amex)

Alfresco dining

Disabled access to dining room

Parking; Pay & Display car parks

Pallant House Gallery, Chichester

The gallery's collection of British Modern Art is often described as one of the most impressive in Britain. The Pallant Kitchen (sister eatery to Purchases) serves delicious, fresh and seasonal food in this unique setting.

Tinwood Winery, Halnaker

Tinwood's has a swanky tasting room where you can sip on sparkling wine while gazing over the vines (after a tour of the vineyard of course). Kick off a memorable meal with a glass or two of Tinwood's rose fizz

Betty the Beach Hut

Residents can book the beach hut on West Wittering Beach for a day or two. It's equipped to enjoy a warm fun-packed family day or as a relaxing shelter after a bracing winter stroll along the white sandy beach.

Rooms

Following two years overcoming difficult planning issues, the green light was finally given to convert the upstairs space into five stylish en suite bedrooms. The first overnight guests arrived in May 2020, transforming Purchases into cracking place to STAY as well as to EAT in the city - a much anticipated and well received addition to the buisness.

The fine staircase winds up to the richly decorated rooms. Expect to be wowed by the unique, flower and scallop motif wallcoverings, the colourful headboard fabrics, and splashes of bold blue paintwork, contrasting with bright red or mustard yellow easy chairs, plus there are big lamps and mirrors, eclectic pieces of furniture, period fireplaces and retro radiators, and very comfortable beds topped with quality linen and down. Fresh, tiled bathrooms have walk-in rain showers, contemporary fittings and top toiletries; one room has a ceramic tub in the room.

Restaurant & bar

Purchases opens early for breakfast or great coffee and cake, best enjoyed on pavements tables where you can watch the world go by. Why not relax over a light salad lunch on the terrace, or sup a post-work cocktail before tucking into a delicious dinner. Lazy Sunday roasts lunches (set menu) draw a loyal crowd - book early, especially for a table on the terrace.

The kitchen team sources locally produced ingredients to create the modern British dishes on the seasonally changing carte, and the breads, jams and marmalades are all home made too.

Served at lunch and dinner and on the fabulous heated terrace, the carte may offer caramelised onion and tomato tart with goats cheese crumb and basil pesto for starters, followed by pine nut crusted hake with, basil mash and chive velouté, or winter greens risotto with crispy halloumi, sauce Vierge and rocket & artichoke salad. Round off with triple dark chocolate brownie with vanilla ice cream and salted caramel. Lighter lunchime options may include warm chicken salad with parmesan, rocket and a honey and mustard dressing.

Things to do

The award-winning West Dean Gardens feature a Victorian Walled Kitchen Garden, Sunken Garden, Orchards and circular walk set in beautiful parkland. Delicious homemade goodies can be eaten in the Garden's restaurant. Look out for courses and festivals including the summer Chilli Fiesta in August, celebrating over 250 chilli varieties!

Located near Chichester, Fishbourne Roman Palace was built in the 1st century AD and today its many visitors get the chance to see the largest collection of mosaics in situ in the country.

North of Chichester, the Wealden Open Air Museum, occupies a picturesque 40-acre site in rolling downland with 50 historic buildings which have been dismantled from around the country and rebuilt for preservation. Here you can learn all about building conservation and rural life in Britain down the centuries. Among many demonstrations there is cooking in the Tudor kitchen and flour milling in the working watermill. The buildings' gardens have been specially designed with plants, layouts and animal breeds from each period.