My time in Surrey last week was punctuated by two very important side trips to some of the best places to visit in West Sussex, England. One was for dinner at an excellent pub, the other for an overnight stay at a lovely country house hotel.
Best Places to Visit in West Sussex
On our second night in Surrey, my boyfriend introduced me to his godfather and his godfather’s girlfriend. They were kind enough to drive us down a narrow country road to an award-winning pub in West Sussex.
On the way, we drove past beautiful green landscapes, well-groomed polo fields, and pretty pastures. We even saw a fox running by with a rabbit in its mouth.
The Chequers Inn, West Sussex
At the end of our scenic drive we pulled up to a 15th-century building on the side of the road. The whitewashed edifice was home to the Chequers Inn in West Sussex.
Upon arrival, we walked into a crowded room full of people enjoying good meals and drinks. It soon became clear this was one of the best places to visit in West Sussex for food lovers.
One of the proprietors made sure we got our drinks without delay, and we enjoyed cider and olives, beer and bar snacks before heading to our table in one of the pub’s two dining rooms.
Our table was right by the window of the low-lit historic room. We settled in and ordered wine while my hosts told me all about the chef proprietor, Tim Neal.
He’d been awarded three AA rosettes at his previous restaurant, Camellia. Before long, our starters arrived and I looked forward to trying Tim’s cuisine.
I wasn’t disappointed. My Scottish scallops with pancetta and gazpacho dressing were excellent, and the duck I ordered for my main course was equally good.
I was too full to order dessert, but I was force-fed a bite or two of the apple tart the others shared. It was amazing.
Country House Hotel in West Sussex
Dinner went late, and we arrived back in Surrey stuffed and satisfied. The next day my boyfriend and I went to another of the best places to visit in West Sussex: a country house hotel near Horsham called South Lodge.
He’d been afraid five days in Surrey would bore me (he clearly underestimated my love of lambs and other furry friends), so he planned a little side trip to West Sussex for us.
South Lodge was situated in a beautiful historic building with newer extensions on either side.
Our room was in one of the new wings, and it was enormous. After checking in, we took a walk through the gardens, which were bursting with daffodils and rhododendrons. Pretty ponds and rolling hills rounded out the scene.
At the end of our walk we found ourselves at an outdoor table in the garden at South Lodge. We ordered tea and cake and sat enjoying the late afternoon sunshine.
That evening we had dinner at one of the restaurants at South Lodge, and the next morning I enjoyed the first full English breakfast I’d eaten in a long time.
Shortly after breakfast we checked out of our room and headed back to Surrey. It was hard to believe our little getaway was only a half hour from my boyfriend’s parents’ house.
It was even harder to believe that his parents’ house was only a short distance from London.
Best Places to Visit in West Sussex
With getting to Surrey and West Sussex so easy, I had a feeling I’d find it difficult to spend many of my weekends in the city in the future.
In fact, just before we left, I was invited to come again for Easter. I hope it’s the first of many trips back to the area, and that I’m able to discover more of the best places to visit in West Sussex and Surrey when I do.
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