The White Horse Inn, West Sussex

Overview

In a sleepy village tucked beneath the South Downs amid a maze of narrow lanes, this 250-year-old pub has been transformed into a stylish modern country inn since the current owners reopened the place in late 2018 following extensive refurbishment. Being so handy for polo at Cowdray Park and racing at Goodwood, it's a peaceful retreat for good food and comfortable rooms at the end of a hard day's entertainment.

Hunker down beside one of the log fires following an invigorating walk or head for the suntrap rear terrace for summer alfresco sipping. Stay a couple of nights and stroll to nearby Bignor Roman Villa, then stride out across the South Downs (just behind the pub), or head to Petworth to hunt for antiques.

Rooms

Smartly upgraded country-chic rooms are named after racehorses and feature super-comfortable handmade beds, pastel hues, rich fabrics and colourful throws, big lamps, gun safes, bespoke wooden furnishings and cosy tiled bathrooms with under floor heating, big walk-in showers or shower over baths, and Noble Isles toiletries.

The two new garden lodge rooms interconnect so are perfect for family stays, while the secluded and beautifully refurbished Gardener's Cottage is a peaceful, romantic bolthole for two.

Restaurant & bar

Chef Jonny Trent's menus make good use of seasonal produce from local suppliers, including South Downs Venison & Game in Duncton and shorthorn beef from Goodwood Estate, to create some imaginative and good value dishes classic British dishes with a modern twist.

Hand pumps on the fine oak bar in the smart bar-cum-dining dispense the likes of local Langham Hip-Hop and Arundel Stronghold ales.