B&B review: The Halfway Bridge, West Sussex

Excellent food and excellently situated at a reasonable price, says Matthew Beard
1/2
9 January 2013

Just days before we visited the Halfway Bridge, workmen had pulled up the floors in a rush to finish their renovation. Not that we could have guessed as we pitched up at the bar on a dull Friday afternoon. The polished wooden floors and open fires were cosy and inviting, and even at that downbeat hour the pub was lively, with several locals and families and a group of old boys playing bridge.

The Halfway is the new “sister” pub of the acclaimed Crab & Lobster near Chichester, and my wife and I were hoping that the country air would blow away some of the city cobwebs.

And the Halfway House offers just the kind of respite a Londoner needs. For starters it’s an easy drive to its location in West Sussex between the towns of Petworth and Midhurst, and it’s reasonably priced too — many a seaside B&B charges virtually the same, without any of the panache.

But its big selling point is its setting in the heart of the South Downs National Park, home to ancient forests and rolling valleys with stunning walks for miles in every direction.

The pub has six en-suite rooms converted from the former stable yard. Fortunately these are well away from the busy A272, and ours was quiet and comfortable with a view out on to the fields. With the original beam running across the ceiling to lend some character, the room was simply decked out but with the mod cons of flat-screen TV, iPod dock and locally produced organic toiletries.

After a cosy evening ensconced in the bar, on Saturday morning we explored nearby Petworth House. Immaculately kept by the National Trust, with acres of stunning grounds designed by Capability Brown and a house stuffed with Turner and Reynolds paintings, it epitomises the English landed gentry. Look out for its major Turner exhibition running from Saturday until March 13.

Nearby Petworth town is also worth a wander, with plenty of well-heeled antiques shops and cafés.

Back at the Halfway House, the delicious food fuelled our feel-good factor. Our mains included seafood bouillabaisse packed with prawns, mussels and clams, which was exceptionally warming and spicy — perfect after a walk.

Locally-sourced meats, particularly game, are staples of the menu, with hearty starters of bacon with salad and a roast duck with lentils and braised leaves. Succulent sirloin followed, with homemade chips and a béarnaise sauce, and a fruity Pinotage helped it all down nicely.

As far as possible the owners pride themselves on sourcing locally. The beer was from the micro brewery at Lodsworth and there were a few English wines on the list, including Tinwood from nearby Halnaker.

Breakfast was also excellent. The full English offered sausages, bacon, smoked salmon and eggs, and there was a generous selection of coffee, yoghurts, jams and homemade lemon curd — all demonstrating a classy attention to detail.

The Halfway Bridge achieves what many aspire to, but few get right. It has thrown 21st-century chic at a 17th-century coaching inn and come out with the best of both worlds. What is essentially an old country pub has been renovated with the flair and attention to detail you’d expect of a boutique London hotel, but without sacrificing any of its charm.

The Halfway Bridge, Lodsworth, Petworth, West Sussex GU28 9BP has doubles from £120 B&B. Winter Warmer mid-week offer until March 28 £78 per double B&B (excluding February 14-23), halfwaybridge.co.uk

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