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The Welldiggers Arms

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Overview

Enjoying sweeping views of the rolling South Downs, the 300-year-old Welldiggers Arms stands in a rural location beside the Pulborough road, two miles east of Petworth.

The great British countryside is at the heart of this pub, incorporating the natural environment and the building's history into the rustic-chic yet comfortable interior. There is bespoke oak furniture, reclaimed art and a roaring fire to welcome you. A high-ceilinged, light and airy dining room offers good seasonal food and stunning views across fields to the South Downs, while the snug bar offers everything you'd expect from a true country pub - rustic charm, local ales and dogs sprawled by the fire.

You can rest overnight in one of 14 comfortable bedrooms located above the inn or in the smart adjoining annexe, then enjoy a delicious cooked breakfast before exploring the local area. The inn is well placed for walking, cycling and horse riding adventures, while culture buffs should visit Petworth House, a stately mansion set in a vast deer park just a mile down the road. It houses one of the finest art collections in the country.

Rooms from

14 doubles: £130


Good to know

  • Visa and Mastercard accepted
  • Disabled access (+ one room)
  • Alfresco & private dining
  • Parking available
  • Dog stay: £15

Scenic and serene
A true countryside inn close to Petworth and surrounded by the rolling beauty of the South Downs.

Quiet romance
A stylish rural bolthole to escape to and spend time with your loved one enjoying the surrounding countryside and all it has to offer.

Dog-friendly
Canine chums are welcome to join you in the bar area and can stay overnight in any of the rooms. Dog bowls and beds can also be provided.

Rooms

If you're looking for a very comfortable base from which to explore this beautiful area, then the 14 individually decorated bedrooms at this rural retreat are certainly worth booking for a few nights away - walking on the South Downs or antique hunting in Petworth.

Six rooms are tucked above the pub, while eight are in a new-build annexe - four enjoy stunning views across fields to the South Downs from picture windows and canine companions are very welcome to stay too. The four rooms closer to the road may suffer from traffic noise.

All are decorated in contemporary country style with soothing colours and quality linen, thick down and throws on super-comfortable Hypnos beds; modern bathrooms with walk-in showers (a couple have roll top tubs); and south-facing rooms in the annexe have French windows leading to a private terrace for soaking up the sun and the views of the South Downs.

For families or larger groups, ask to stay in the larger snug room which is interconnected with a double room. Features such as exposed concrete, roll-top baths and pastel furnishings add a rustic touch to all.

Restaurant & bar

The modern British pub food served draws a loyal crowd - the inn is popular with enthusiasts of racing (Goodwood), shooting and polo (Cowdray Park), making it a popular rendezvous or stopping-off point for some reliable bar food.

Be sure to book a window table for lunch or dinner; the delicious food on offer tastes even better when savoured against the backdrop of the rolling South Downs. The kitchen team sources much of the produce locally, using game from nearby shoots, farm-reared meats, and herbs and vegetables from local growers.

Watch the chefs work their magic in creating the food in the open-to-view kitchen - dishes may include truffle mac 'n' cheese fritters, brisket burger, ruby slaw, fries and onion relish, seared bream with warm new potato Nicoise, and chicken, tarragon and leek pie. For pudding, perhaps try the homemade lemon, and decent Sunday lunches may feature slow-roasted pork belly with apple sauce.

Quirky, spade-handle beer pumps dispense local Sussex ales, the short wine list offers 17 by the glass or carafe, and there's a good selection of cocktails and boutique gins.

Private dining

For special occasions, meetings and workshops, there is an intimate private dining room that can seat up to 8 guests.

Experiences
Things to do

Located in the South Downs National Park and perched on the outskirts of Petworth - a historic town whose star attraction is the grand Petworth House and Park owned by the National Trust - our location is perfect for all kinds of countryside activities, including walking, cycling and clay pigeon shooting.

For golfing, horse racing and motorsport events head to Goodwood, which is a short drive away, but if culture and heritage is more your thing the Roman city of Chichester, Arundel Castle, Boxgrove Priory and the Weald and Downland Living Museum are close by.

Getting here

Directions

Nearest train station: Pulborough
Taxi from station: 7min
Drive: Brighton 55min; London 1hr 30min

Address

Low Heath, Petworth, West Sussex GU28 0HG

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