Despite our best efforts, here at Sussex Exclusive, we have not (yet) been able to taste test every Sunday lunch in Sussex. But as we believe that a good Sunday lunch is a truly great thing, we asked you, our readers, for your recommendations. In no particular order, these are the top places that you recommended. We’ve included brief details of their menu where we can, as well as local walks. With all these venues, check before travel and booking is recommended. Bon appetite.
The Three Moles at Selham
Established in 1872, The Three Moles describe themsleves as “a traditional countryside real ale house”. Their Sunday lunch hours are 12 to 3 pm. They offer Sunday Roasts from September to April and during the summer months (May to August), Sunday Special Roast Ciabattas. And they seem to do a great line in burgers.
For a local walk, try:
The Swan at Fittleworth
The Swan hit the headlines with a full refurbishment in 2024. It is a 14th century inn which has already had a mention in the Michelin Guide for its high quality cooking. It describes its menu as “rustic, unfussy and proudly rooted in the classics”. They have a Sunday lunch menu which at the time of writing included Mallard & partridge pie, braised lamb shoulder and stuffed pork belly.
It’s right on the Serpent Trail and not far from Hesworth Common.
The Horse Guards Inn at Tillington
This 360 year old pub is just outside Petworth and is named from the times when part of the household cavalry would frequent it. It’s relaxed, informal with fabulously eclectic furniture inside and out. They describe their menu as “small and seasonal” and they are big on hyper local produce and sustainability. As to their menu, they say “the menu changes everyday to fit in what we can source from local suppliers, dig out of our vegetable patch or forage from the wild hedgerows or seashores nearby”. Sussex Exclusive last ate there a couple of year ago and had a super burger.
It’s another pub that sits right on the Serpent Trail but for a shorter walk in the area, try Petworth Park.
The Chequers at Rowhook
Set in a 17th century building with an interesting past, The Chequers is just outside Horsham and a regular hang out for Sussex Exclusive. They have featured in the AA, Michelin and Master Chefs of Great Britain guides and describe their style as wholesome, traditional English dishes with a French twist.
Sunday service is 12 – 3:30 pm and you can expect their legendary Sunday Roast along with other dishes like (at the time of writing) pan-fried calves liver on grain mustard mashed potatoes and fillet steak.
For local walks in nearby Roman Woods, try,
Camellia Restaurant, South Lodge
Just south of Horsham, South Lodge describes its Camellia Restauarant as the “epitome of elegance”, explaining that “Head Chef Josh Mann has won 3 AA Rosettes for his modern British menu, which features fresh ingredients from our own walled garden”.
Sundays service is 12.30pm – 2pm, with last orders at 2.15 pm. Their Sunday Roasts include roast sirloin and roast pork belly porchetta.
For an epic walk that will take you right past South Lodge, try
For shorter walks, head to Leonardslee Gardens opposite.
Kinsbrook Vineyard, near Storrington
Describing itself as a “progressive vineyard” and their changing menu as “modern plates which are made using the best, sustainably-sourced local produce”, Kinsbrook has a farmyard cum French vineyard vibe. Sunday service is 9 am to 3 pm.
Theu offer Sunday Roasts as well as an interesting selection of plates (think duck terrine, apple puree, toasted brioche or confit trout, brussel sprout slaw, bacon jam). They also offer a choice of their quirky wines.
For local walks, try,
The Cat Inn, West Hoathly
With a mention in the Michelin Guide, The Cat is always popular. Set in a a 16th century free house, it’s also part of the story of Jacob’s Post.
Their Sunday menu includes their Cat Burger, fish and chips and, of course, some classic roasts.
For local walks, you can walk to Wakehurst or head to Ashdown Forest.
The Ginger Fox, Henfield
The Ginger Fox promises, “high-quality, seasonal, Sussex produce; from local fish and meat, local ales, and award-winning wine from Ridgeview”. It’s another one that gets a mention in the Michelin Guide. They have a Sunday menu with a full selection of Sunday Roasts as well as (at the time of writing) a red pepper and mushroom nut roast and pumpkin risotto.
For a near by walk, try,
The Eight Bells at Jevington
Jevington is famously the birth place of banoffee pie (and yes, it features on The Eight Bells menu). The pub itself is 400 years old with a long history connected to smugglers. During the 18th century, the landlord James Pettit (known as ‘Jevington Jigg’) was a smuggler leading local efforts.
They have a selection of Sunday Roasts as well as (at the time of writing) a Beef Wellington with truffle jus. Their Sunday service is 10 am to 8 pm.
For local walks, they are right on the South Downs Way, and the Wealdway but you also might enjoy, this one,
The Sussex Ox near Alfriston
This one is on our must visit list. Apart from the pub, they also have a 100 acre farm with South Downs cross sheep and pedigree Sussex cattle, raised alongside orchards, vegetable patches and herb gardens, meaning this is a great farm-to-table experience. Their Sunday menu has a selection of Sunday Roasts which include their own beef and lamb as well as their own burgers and beer battered haddock, and Sussex cheeses and Sussex ice cream.
For local walks, try,
The Trevor Arms at Glynde
Built in 1845 by John Harvey to serve passengers of the newly opened railway, the Trevor Arms closed in 2017. The great news is that it reopened in 2025. They look like they are super hot on their local beers and they describe their menu as “lovely homemade traditional pub food. We use local suppliers from the likes of Trenchmore Farm, Fish! in Newhaven, Flint Owl in Glynde, Downsview Dairy in Ringmer”. Sunday service is from 12 to 5 pm but we haven’t managed to get hold of a copy of their menu.
For local walks, well you really have to take on the challenge of Mount Caburn,
Cricketers at Broadwater, Worthing
The Cricketers is a refurbished, traditional, community-led pub first established in 1848. Broadwater Green has hosted cricket for over 200 years and the pub was managed by the Page family for nearly 100 years. Their menu features a Pub Classic section, with favourites like fish nad chips, pie of the day and sauasage and mash. Good, honest pub grub.
For local walks, why not head to the beach for a stroll, or up to Highdown for great views,
The Nags Head in Chichester
Five minutes from the city centre and with a history that dates back to 1895, The Nags Head describes itself as “a traditional bar … with greenhouse roof which is famed for its Sunday carvery”. Served from 12 – 8 pm, they have a traditional four-meat carvery, or vegetarian and gluten-free dishes with all the trimmings.
For local walks, how about a stroll down the canal,
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