The Halfway Bridge

At the heart of the South Downs National Park, this village pub-with-rooms is the rural sister of the seaside Crab & Lobster, Sidlesham (see entry). It is country but no bumpkin. Our inspectors gave it the thumbs up for both its ‘delicious food’ and rooms. The latter are in a single-storey stable block ‘across a little lane behind the pub’, which meant ‘there was no road noise’. Their room was ‘comfortable and easy’ with a super-king bed, a fridge with bottled water and milk. The decor is a mix of rusticity and contemporary comfort. A room with a sleigh bed has a wall of timber planks, an antique chest of drawers, leather tub chair and small settle. Food is served in ‘lots of interesting little spaces’, and under parasols in a ‘large, grassy garden’. It is largely pub grub done well, with good, fresh ingredients; ‘the self-proclaimed burger expert said it was top quality’. The pan-fried sea bream was also praised. Or choose from a range of lighter salads and sandwiches, including a fish-finger sourdough. Breakfast ticked all the boxes, with freshly squeezed orange juice, smashed avocado, a full English and barista-style coffee. ‘One could imagine enjoying a few nights here.’