In our adventures around Sussex, we’re often in need of a quick Pitts-Stop and a bite to eat as we dash from one place to another. A few years ago, we washed up at the Queen’s Head and more recently, we thought it was time to re-visit to catch up with the new owners and see what’s new or changed.
West Chiltington: a village worth the wiggle
West Chiltington in West Sussex is slightly off the beaten track, reached by one of those wonderfully wiggly lanes that already feels like an escape. It’s picture-postcard pretty and has a fascinating church (with some incredible medieval wall paintings). Take a stroll around the village and you’ll see curious street and property names like Smock Alley, Hobjohns, The Hollow and Picketty, along with 17th-century stocks and even a whipping post. There’s also a small village museum and a smock windmill (now a private home).
The village is surrounded by beautiful countryside, great country walks (think the West Sussex Literary Trail), wildlife and award-winning vineyards. And in the heart of the village is a friendly, bustling, proper pub.
A new era at the Queen’s Head
The Queen’s Head is a Grade II listed inn, built in the 18th century as an addition to an earlier and much smaller 17th-century property. It has recently come under the new management of Mark (a hugely experienced publican) and Curtis (a talented chef who has worked in kitchens from Barbados to Ireland and the UK), supported by their godson Bryn in the kitchen. They live on site and, in Mark’s words, are “all in”.
They took over 12 weeks ago and have already transformed it. Dark, heavy furniture have given way to lighter spaces, fresh plants and soft lighting. Barbados artwork hangs alongside country touches; there are cosy nooks, velvet chairs, a “cow corner” and even a pool room.
“I didn’t want it to feel like a chain pub,” Mark says. “It had to be cosy, colourful and homely, but with a bit of style. People walk in now and say, ‘Oh my goodness, it’s so cosy,’ and they’re right – it just feels good to sit in.”
In the evenings, candles are lit, the fire is burning, the main bar lights are turned down and the whole place glows. Locals come in for a pint, to play cards or Scrabble, or to just sit by the fire with a glass of wine.
Above all, this is a community pub. There are shelves of books you can borrow and swap, coffee mornings for local groups, wreath-making workshops in the restaurant, quiz nights and special events that raise money for charities.
“I want people to come here and experience what a community feels like,” Mark tells me. “You leave your home, but you come into our home, because this is our home. This is the heart of the community and everybody’s welcome. Kids, dogs, the lot.”
And if you like a Sussex ghost story, the building (parts of which date back to the 1600s) has those too (from flying glasses to a mysterious “white lady” on the stairs) and ghost-hunt nights are very much on the cards.
What’s on the menu?
Food is where Curtis and Bryn really come into their own. They have three main menus, giving you plenty of choice and a strong sense of Curtis’ Barbados-meets-Britain style.
Their Sunday roast menu is clearly fast becoming a firm favourite with locals and destination diners alike. It combines influences from Curtis’ international experience with good old traditional comfort food. Think spicy Jamaican jerk chicken wings with a tamarind glaze, Thai chilli wings and classic Buffalo wings to warm you up as you come in from the cold, followed by a tri-roast of beef sirloin, pork belly and roast chicken.
“We’re known for our Sunday roasts now,” Mark says. “People come in and tell us it’s the best Sunday roast they’ve ever had – not just in a pub, but full stop.”
Everything is made in-house, from the rich gravy that regulars rave about to the cauliflower cheese with its secret twist. There are two-for-one fish-and-chips Fridays that pack the place out, and the batter – mixed from scratch and fried to order – has its own fan club.
The rest of their menu is equally tempting. Expect:
- Fresh fish dipped and fried to order – classic fish and chips, blackened catch of the day and more
- Bajan fish cakes and Guyanese pepper pot that bring a touch of the Caribbean to West Chiltington
- Homemade burgers and a beautifully tender pork tenderloin in red wine jus
- A vegetarian and seafood pasta (with pasta made in-house when they can)
“Everything we do is homemade and cooked to order,” Curtis explains. “Nothing is vacuum packed from a wholesaler. The ticket comes in and we start cooking – that’s how I was taught.”
There are also curry nights and dedicated Caribbean evenings, where Curtis cooks West Indian dishes you don’t often see on British pub menus, as well as Indian-inspired curries made the traditional way. You won’t find heavy cream-laden sauces here; think fragrant saffron, proper spicing and recipes rooted in their original traditions.
On the drinks side, Harvey’s is the star of the show on the handpulls, alongside Timothy Taylor and a rotating guest ale, with regulars insisting it’s the best pint of Harvey’s for miles. There’s well-kept Guinness, lagers, a carefully chosen wine list and plans for more Sussex wines and fizz as things bed in.
Dogs, walkers and a proper village pub
The Queen’s Head is proudly dog-friendly, which is just as well because the area is a magnet for walkers, campers and West Sussex Literary Trail explorers. Expect muddy boots, wagging tails, maps on tables and a roaring fire on colder days.
Families are warmly welcomed too. There are free chocolates or Haribos for children who’ve polished off their dinner, Buckaroo and Operation tucked away for rainy days, and board games for grown-ups. It’s that sort of pub.
Live music, ghosts and giving back
This isn’t just a place to eat and drink – it’s lively, too. The Queen’s Head hosts regular live music, from crooners who cover Tom Jones, Frank Sinatra and Shirley Bassey to the Retrogrades, a country-folk band with a loyal local following. Entry for some of these evenings is by a modest fee that goes straight into a charity bucket – the band plays for love, and the community benefits.
Why you should go
If you’re looking for a great pub experience in a Sussex village – the sort of place where the fire is lit, the food is cooked from scratch, the welcome is genuine and the locals are already back on side – it may be time to head to West Chiltington.
The Queen’s Head manages to be both a destination for foodies and a true village local, with a welcoming, lived-in atmosphere, dogs under tables, walkers at the bar, live music in the diary and a strong sense that this is a pub with its heart firmly in the right place.
If you are looking for things to do in the area before or after a visit to the Queen’s Head, you may be interested in:
