+44 (0)203 868 4999
or enquiries@epicurean.club

The Highdown

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Speak to us on +44 (0)203 868 4999

Overview

Tucked away from the A27 in a beautiful spot below Highdown Hill, this striking flint building was built in 1820 as a family home and enjoys views of the South Downs and the sea.

In 1909 the house and surrounding grounds were bought by Frederick and Sybil Stern, who created and developed the magnificent Highdown Gardens (next door) in and around a former chalk pit until Sir Frederick's death in 1967. Recently restored and full of rare and beautiful plants, it's worth arriving early to while away a few peaceful hours in this very special garden.

Since 1980 the Stern's former home has been used as a conference centre, a renowned night club and a wedding venue called Highdown Towers. In 2019 it was bought by Brunning & Price who have transformed the building into one their flagship pubs with rooms following a six month refurbishment.

High-ceilinged dining rooms ramble around a big central bar - expect to find an eclectic mix of old dining tables and cushioned settles, rugs on bare boards, walls covered with old prints and photographs, a cosy book-lined Library area, and welcome touches like fresh flowers, candles and log fires. A popular all-day cafe and a front terrace and lawn with teak tables and chairs complete the picture.

Rooms from:

13 doubles: £140

Good to know

Major credit cards accepted

Alfresco & private dining

Tea Room

Parking available

Dogs welcome overnight

Water & waves

The beaches at Goring-by-Sea and Worthing are just a few minutes drive away and some of rooms enjoy sea views.

Outdoor Adventures

Bring your boots or your bike and head directly onto downland trails for an invigorating walk or ride with far-reaching views.

Tea Room

Follow a visit to Highdown Gardens with tea and cake at this traditional-style tea room beside the inn. Open 9am-4pm daily.

Rooms

The thirteen en suite rooms in the beautifully restored stable block behind the cafe and the flint-built inn offer a very comfortable base for exploring the South Downs and Sussex coast.

There are classic King/Twin rooms, more spacious Superior rooms and a Suite/Family room with roll-out sofa bed, with a few rooms enjoying distant views to the sea. All have been refurbished in classic country style with soothing blues and greens on the walls and the feature panelled wall behind the super-comfortable beds - topped with crisp linen, thick down and colourful throws and cushions.

The welcoming decor also features big bedside lamps, eye-catching botanical prints, retro radiators. upholstered chairs, Smart TVs and detail touches include a coffee machine, telephone, decent teas and a teapot, full-length mirror and a well-researched guest information folder.

Bathrooms are smart and modern, with trendy brick-tiled walls, huge walk-in storm showers and luxury L'Occitane toiletries. Fancy a long soak after downland hike, then book the Suite or one of the Superior rooms as these have roll-top baths too. Resident's lounge dowstairs.

Restaurant & bar

There's something for all tastes and appetites on the crowd-pleasing all-day menu, which changes every six weeks and includes chef's specials, with good gluten free options and decent Sunday roasts.

Starters or lighter dishes range from crispy baby squid with sweet chilli sauce to scallops, spiced carrot puree and dukkah crumb, and feta arancini with sun-blushed tomato sauce and pine nut salad. Main dishes take in pub classics like chicken, ham leek pie and a substantial rump steak sandwich with Dijon mustard and tarragon mayonnaise and chips. Alternatively, perhaps tuck into roast butternut squash risotto, chicken Caesar salad or pork fillet with truffle potato terrine and Madeira sauce. There are traditional puddings (rhubarb and stem ginger sponge) and full afternoon teas (with bubbly) if you arrive early.

To quaff, you'll find four local ales on tap, a raft of boutique gins, classic cocktails and a short, global list of wines that include local Nyetimber fizz and 17 wines by the glass.

Things to do

Highdown's lovely chalk garden was established by Sir Frederick and Lady Stern who worked for 50 years to prove that plants would grow on chalk. The garden was created out of a disused chalk pit at a time when horticulturalists were travelling to China and the Himalayan regions to collect rare and beautiful plants. Many of the original species from those early expeditions survive in the garden today.

One of the region's most picturesque towns, Arundel is packed with handsome buildings and historic landmarks. The top spot is Arundel Castle, founded at the end of the 11th century and the principal home of the Dukes of Norfolk. Within its great walls lie countless treasures, including tapestries, clocks and portraits by Van Dyck, Gainsborough and Reynolds.

Tucked away in an old disused chalk pit, Amberley Museum is dedicated to the industrial heritage of the South East. Exhibits include a narrow-gauge railway, telecommunications hall, electricity station and printing workshop. You will also see a blacksmith and potter working onsite.

Getting here

Directions

Nearest train station: Goring-by-Sea

Taxi from station: 3min

Drive: Worthing 12min; Chichester 29min; Brighton 39min; London 1hr 50min

Address

Littlehampton Road, Goring-by-Sea, West Sussex BN12 6FB

Gallery
Enquire to book

To make a booking enquiry, please use the form below or you can call our reservations team on 020 8161 0100. Our phone lines are open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 11am - 3pm.

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