West Sussex food trail

Michelin Star and fine dining

Trail highlight: A luxury 16^th-century country manor, which is now a stunning hotel, is complimented by beautiful surroundings. Set on 35-acres of carefully designed charming gardens Gravetye Manor boasts an exceptional Michelin Star dining experience, in an extraordinary setting.

See more Michelin Star and fine dining options…

Ockenden Manor. Enjoy sweeping views across the gorgeous Cuckfield gardens as you take in the menu from Head Chef, Stephen Crane, who cleverly mixes innovation and tradition in one fine dining menu. Book a table, reserve a room and explore the spa, this foodie location has everything you need.

The Earl of March. Freshly prepared seasonal, local produce served in a country inn near Goodwood with a selection of menus including fine dining options, scrumptious Sunday lunches and an A La Carte menu. Explore an abundance of flavours in one beautiful location.

A contemporary restaurant set in the woodlands of Leonardslee, Horsham, Restaurant Interlude offers a unique dining experience with freshly foraged ingredients direct from the 240-acre Grade I listed lakes and gardens. Experience fresh produce from the grounds and even stay the night!

Beach cafés

Trail highlight: East Beach Café. A fantastic piece of architecture that boasts over 20 national and international awards is set right on the beachfront of Littlehampton, serving locally caught produce year-round. High in demand, this well-renowned restaurant is a true must-visit foodie destination!

See more beach cafés…

Edge by the Sea. A spacious café serving a range of homemade cakes, pastries and snacks complemented by expertly crafted speciality coffees and teas this seaside retreat in Littlehampton is not to be missed.

Pagham Beach Café. A popular addition to the Pagham seafront, Pagham Beach Café has mastered the art of British seaside food. Tuck into traditional seaside favourites like fish and chips in the beach-themed café.

A family-run beach café opposite the popular Marine Park Gardens, Aldwick Beach Café boasts extensive seating on a large decking right on the pebbles and is a literal stone’s throw from the sea, what could be better?

Seafood

Trail highlight: Potters Fish. Winners of the Shellfish Fisherman of the Year Award 2021, this small family-run business based in Selsey is known for its catching, cooking and preparation of seafood boxes and incredible crab sandwiches.

See more seafood spots…

47 Mussel Row. High-quality seafood, crab, steak and of course the star of the show, mussels, make an exceptional menu that showcases the best of local produce in Littlehampton.

CrabShack. Serving sustainable seafood, their small menu delivers a delicious array of seasonal specials in a relaxed atmosphere. Offering the freshest local seafood with fabulous drinks and service, they’re certainly pulling out all the stops to make this a great all-around experience in Worthing.

Crab and Lobster. This stylish waterside retreat is set on the banks of Pagham Harbour. The 350-years old building has been renovated and is recognised as one of the most stunning hideaways on the South Coast!

Workshops

Trail highlight: The Artisan Bakehouse. Award-winning workshops and masterclasses to help you learn and perfect new skills for independent cookery. Why not try a hands-on experience in the bakehouse, making bread from around the world in their traditional wood-burning oven?

See more wonderful workshops…

Helping hundreds to become confident and creative cooks at home, this hands-on cookery school is an interactive online experience not to be missed. Set on a working farm in mid-Sussex Round Table Cookery offers an array of workshop options for different cuisines, baking techniques and speciality diets.

Your average pub, with one big twist, the Brewhouse and Kitchen in Horsham runs their very own microbrewery with unique experience days available for beer brewing and gin masterclasses.

Explore the secrets of delicious chocolate artistry with a chocolate masterclass at Noble and Stace. This incredible experience will see you join chocolatiers for a day of detail and tempering, accompanied by a beautiful two-course lunch and wine.

Vineyards

Trail highlight: A boutique producer of single estate, still and sparkling English wines, Albourne Estate prides itself on quality and sustainability. Try a tasting, tour or possibly a picnic…

See more beautiful vineyards…

Tinwood Estate. Tradition leads with this fantastic estate, producing three high-quality sparkling wines from a vineyard in the heart of West Sussex. Join one of the daily vineyard tours and find out more!

Ashling Park Estate. A combination of tasting rooms and luxury lodges, tours of the estate are centred around the concept of immersive experiences for all of the senses. The 100 years old oak tree-lined estate dates back to 1822 and provides a magical experience for all.

Highdown Vineyard. Nestled in the southern slopes of the South Downs, this vineyard produces award-winning wines and hosts bespoke tasting experiences, events and functions.

Tours

Trail highlight: High Weald Dairy. Beautiful British cheeses created with the highest quality ingredients by a family that specialises in artisan cheese making. Tour the facilities to watch the fascinating process of cheese making and participate in a tasting session of these award-winning cheeses.

See more amazing tours…

Specialising in creating unique food experiences, the team at Armchair Tasting Tours brings fresh local produce to your door, with unique food tours to enjoy from the comfort of your home.

An introduction to some of the finest local produce, the Great British Wine Tour’s mission is to have everyone experience the beautiful West Sussex countryside and enjoy the incredible wine and food available. With transport from the city sorted, you can relax and enjoy this sparkling experience!

English Wine Tasting Tours. Escape the city and explore our Sussex vineyards, sampling a range of incredible English wines. A perfect pub lunch is included.

Sustainable and farm to plate experiences

Trail highlight: Farmer, Butcher, Chef. Goodwood’s sustainable award-winning restaurant offers locally sourced produce for a unique fine-dining experience. Dedicated to demonstrating the high quality of their meat in terms of flavour, quality and provenance, this restaurant takes pride in their high yield of livestock from the farm just a matter of yards from the table.

See more sustainable and farm to plate experiences…

Rewilding Us. From seasonal foraging courses to coastal and mushroom foraging, learn how to use wild plants, mushrooms and seafood found in the diverse and rich habitats around Sussex. They also run numerous special events, including full day forage and cooks or kayak fishing and foraging combos!

Foraged by Fern. Several seasonal foraging workshops from wild cocktails to truffle hunting held by Fern with the aim of inspiring the gathering of edible plants and fungi for cooking. Learn about the sustainability of foraging for food with multiple locations across West Sussex.

Breweries

Trail highlight: Langham Brewery. A steam-powered, craft microbrewery set in the Cowdray Estate of the South Downs National Park, their passion is producing innovative and flavoursome ales with high-quality ingredients.

See more incredible breweries…

Missing Link Brewing. Based in East Grinstead, this exciting new brewery produces craft beers and hosts a brew school with teaching spaces and state of the art equipment that allows you to participate in the production of your very own modern craft beer.

Arundel Brewery. This award-winning independent brewery is family-owned and has been brewing for 30 years. Located in the heart of Arundel they host regular social evenings and offer a selection of flavoursome beers that are changed regularly.

Goldmark Brewery. Makers of unique contemporary beer ranging from craft beer to real ales, the brewery open their doors for tours of their brewery every month in Arundel. Learn about the craft of brewing whilst enjoying the final product.

Tap rooms and tastings

Trail highlight: The excellent mix of brewery taproom and coffee roaster means this place has something for everyone. The Brewhouse Project represents the perfect partnership between local companies, Arundel Brewery and Edgecumbe’s Coffee while also hosting a number of food trucks in their extensive outdoor space. Check out this unique experience if you’re heading to Arundel.

See more tap rooms and tastings…

Blackdown Ridge. Sat 440 feet above sea level, you can experience English wines from grapes grown on gorgeous south-facing slopes in the Sussex Weald, where visitors are welcome to join vineyards and tasting tours, exploring the history of the grounds and the beautiful vines it nurtures.

Firebird Brewing Company. A range of gluten-free beers and ‘brewer for the day’ activities make this an experience not to be missed! Watch the process of brewing and enjoy the award-winning Sussex craft beer from the tap.

Beautiful surroundings

Trail highlight: The Fox Goes Free, Charlton, Chichester – A quintessential Sussex pub with a garden overlooking Levin Down, a National Trust site on the cusp of the South Downs. A fantastic menu packed with locally sourced homemade food and handpicked wines.

See more locations with beautiful surroundings…

Kinsbrook Farmhouse. Inspired by laid-back wine bars, Kinsbrook Farmhouse offers lovingly curated plates made using only the best, sustainably-sourced produce all surrounded by stunning panoramic views of the vineyard.

Chalk at Wiston Estate. Occupying an 18^thcentury barn on the delightful Wiston Estate and surrounded by rolling countryside, the menu highlights fresh local produce and ingredients from the estate.

Vegan and veggie options

Trail highlight: The Vegan Street Food Co. 100% vegan and gluten-free, this restaurant offers the very best of all-natural ingredients and caters to the most intricate of diets. Food for the soul at its very best. Book ahead and enjoy this unique foodie experience in Worthing.

See more locations with vegan and veggie options…

Fitzcane’s café (veggie and vegan options) is a lively and welcoming café close to the South Downs National Park that offers a range of vegetarian options, catering to all dietary requirements with tasty alternatives.

The Queens Head (veggie and vegan options). Based in West Chiltington this traditional village inn offers a hearty menu full of homemade dishes, including plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. Enjoy a traditional styled homemade meal and take in the relaxed atmosphere of this warm country pub.

Afternoon teas

Trail highlight: Afternoon tea at Amberley Castle is enjoyed fireside in the winter and on the glorious terrace in the summer sunshine. A selection of beautifully presented teatime treats is a perfect pamper alternative. Who doesn’t love cake?

See more locations for fantastic afternoon tea…

Afternoon Tea at Leonardslee. Set in the grounds of Leonardslee house, which dates back to 1801, guests can enjoy the Italianate styled décor while feasting on delicious afternoon treats, including cakes, sandwiches, scones and of course plenty of tea.

Alexander House. Plenty of packages to cater for everyone’s afternoon tea desires, this quintessentially British teatime experience is highly recommended. Upgrade your package and add a little English sparkle (sparkling wine) for the ultimate afternoon tea experience.

With plenty of opportunities to experience new flavour combinations and exciting locations, West Sussex is every foodie’s dream.

Keep your eyes peeled for more food trails!