The Cat Inn

Our View

A 16th-century tile-hung pub in a great walking area, set high on the Sussex Weald close to the Ashdown Forest. In the old bar you’ll find two inglenook fireplaces, oak beams, fine panelling and wooden floors, and the sort of buzzy atmosphere village pubs are so good at generating. Local breweries in Groombridge (Black Cat), Litlington (Long Man), Lewes (Harvey’s) and Chiddingstone (Larkins) deliver the excellent beers. The well-lit dining rooms are furnished with wooden dining chairs and tables on pale wood-strip flooring, while hops, china platters and brass and copper ornaments decorate the walls in homely style. Glass doors from the contemporary garden room open onto a terrace. The menu tempts with an excellent choice of English or cosmopolitan flavours. Starters, for example, include a curried lamb Scotch egg, mango and butternut squash chutney, coriander and red onion salad; or harissa and dill mussels with beer bread. Follow on with something like the wild skate wing, crushed potatoes, broccoli and caper butter. Youngsters over seven are welcome.

Awards, accolades and Welcome Schemes

AA Pick of the Pubs