please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
I note with interest the many comments about parking problems at the Black Horse. I worked and lived in the village 2000 to 2007 and I can assure you there was never a parking problem and this fact was confirmed by Horsham council planning committee. Negative comments written about the pub will put off buyers paying the £700,000 asking price. Between 2000 and 2007 the pub was packed at weekends due to the hard work of Gary and his team and this pub can work very well again with the right management. The downfall of the Black Horse was for one reason and one reason only and that is Very bad management after 2007.
|
in the early 1970's I worked at the BH amberley, I was only young so worked in the kitchen and later some waitressing, I loved my job and the people who ran it. does anyone remember Monday nights country music in the side hall, from what I can remember it used to be packed everyone was happy, people didn't need cars and you cannot drive these days when you go pubbing . I used to walk from Rackham to work sometimes twice a day, and walk there and back Monday nights with the country music, I went past yesterday could not believe it , its like I remember the butchers , it is a shame I moved away from the countryside I wish I had the choice to still be their , i'm still a old country girl by heart and always will be , country people look after your villages or you will lose them ,you are so very lucky
|
Still CLOSED. Looks open with all the signs still up, but that's just a cruel trick...
|
I'm sad to hear the Black Horse is closing. Parking is a problem and if the locals don't support their local amenities then closures like this are inevitable. I'd love to have a local like that. What a shame.
|
I was in Amberley and saw the BH has closed. It seems to be happening all round the UK.I am surprised this fate had not happen sooner to the BH .I recall driving through the village on many occasions and not being able to park so I had to go to the Sportsman which has parking.
I suppose the BH in the past served the locals of the village who were able to walk to the pub from their homes. It does not fit to days needs as a Pub people today drive cars ,and if you cannot park the car then customers are not going to visit a pub miles from nowhere. I guess its continued existence as a Pub or restaurant has been doomed for some time .If the local don’t support their village pubs on a regular basis and expect visitor to finances their pubs then this is going to continue to happen. Amberley has a tea room now which I have visited still parking was a problem .At least the walkers can still get refreshments and use the loos.
When I have been able to park and visit the BH it was always empty, so it is astonishing it’s not closed sooner. I noticed a large development of homes being constructed .Every year Amberely has huge developments going on. Soon the village will be unrecognisable .Poor Amberley is loosing its enchantment .It really has been transformed and not in a positive way.
|
Well, who'd have believed it. Green Kerching running a pub into the ground by installing rubbish tenants. Then looking to off-load it as housing. Never in a thousand pints.
|
Really sad to see this pub is now closed, however sadly some of the comments are correct.
I have many happy memories of this place over the years, and the 4 walls hold many stories but I can count on probably 2 hands the die hard villagers who used to support this pub and use it often.
The long and short of this pub and its location is that it is a gem but needs to be supported by the community to survive in winter months.
I have heard through the grapevine that there is a small committee trying to have it re-opened and I wish them the best of luck and all my support. However if they manage to do so, I also urge them to use it. Maybe even buy it!
Sadly with the economy of our country at the moment, and brewery/leasing companies following a very corporate ethos to their pubs and landlords, pubs are and will continue to close unless supported by the local community.
I remember 25 years or so ago the same scenario coming up with the local village shop. I am pleased to see that is still there.
If anyone has any more info on the saving of the pub, please post it on here. I would be really interested to see it.
|
The BH pub was not supported by the people of the village .The
residents of the village hardly went to the pub on any regular
bases..It was always empty in the winter months. On many occasions the
pub did not have one customer all day and night.The pub had to be
subsidised by the land lady to cover cost of staying open. It was a
huge financial drain.
It was view when it went on the marked by many people interested in
running it as a restaurant and pub, but they all realised it had
little potential to be profitable.
No one wanted to buy it as a pub/restaurant.
It is now going to be houses, which is not a horrifying thing as the
village dose support development of the village .This has been
demonstrated by their huge efforts to develop the village.I agree more housing is what is really needed not more unprofitable
pubs .The development is a positive outcome for the building.
|
Amberley got what it deserved. It did not support the Black Horse Pub and now it has closed. I had to laugh when the village had a demonstration outside the pub for it to reopen as a pub. Not one of the protesters ever used the pub for neither food nor drinks. A Collection of hypocrites.
|
The pub was not supported by the people of Amberley.
So now it has closed and will become houses.
Breakfast meetings never used the Black Horse pub, and the Parish Council would always go the Bridge Pub.
Amberley is becoming over developed, which is resulting in it losing it character and charm.
House prices are falling by the day in the village and will continue to fall as it becomes more built up with residential property.
It is very tell that Amberley has become an undesirable place to live by the number of house on the market in the village.
|
Pauline is leaving the black horse in march.. i hope she never takes on another pub because she has destroyed the last two places shes had. will be really nice to see the black horse doing well again and good riddance pauline... bye bye..
|
We went to the Black Horse Recently and again had a fantastic meal.
I had a Chilli and my wife had Scampi.
The portions are very Generous, couldnt eat it all !
Very friendly staff !
|
The Black Horse ,one of the best around. I have never had a bad meal or bad beer there ! Some comments made are obviously to discredit for some strange reason,obviously not serious people. Would highly recommend the food whether a sandwich,Burger or steak.
Staff very friendly . Landlady very welcoming but unfortunately supports Chelsea !
Folk night very entertaining Thursday nights and can get very busy !
|
I find most of the previous comments baffling. My wife and I ate there eight evenings last week and found it very welcoming. All the bar staff, and landlady Pauline, were friendly and efficient. The food was excellent, there was plenty of choice and we never left feeling we could have eaten more. There was plenty of choice of wine although perhaps a bigger selection of beers may please the purists. So:-
Warm welcome & friendly staff
Excellent food and large portions
Nice pub in lovely surroundings
Works for me!
|
Nice pub in a very pretty village. Had Hopbach summer lightning & Harveys Sussex, both in good condition. They also had Green king IPA on. Food all good and reasonably priced, the "three way roast" seemed to go down particularly well. Not much room inside really but a there's a big enclosed garden for sunny days.
|
I've never visited the pub before but am well aware of the attitude of the landlady! Her attitude has always been the same and this is not the first time shes failed as a landlady. Pauline needs to realise that shes NOT a people person
|
Just read the past comments about the Black Horse, all I can say is that they've never been to a good pub before because the Black Horse is not good or welcoming! It is really good news that this lovely pub is for sale at last and that land lady has realised that she's no good in this business. However, �85,000 is far to much money for this failed pub...
|
absolutely loved my lunch at the pub, excellent friendly staff and a warm welcome. food was delicious also! definately recommend!
|
I read the reviews on here before stopping for lunch at the Black Horse today. I'm glad we decided to ignore the odd negative comment. We received a warm welcome. The service was friendly and efficient. The food was good quality and not overpriced (thank goodness it's not a ghastly gastropub). Both the Harvey's bitter and Greene King IPA were in excellent condition. The interior is great but we sat in the attractive beer garden. Add all that to the great location and we'd definitely recommend the place.
|
To the last comment..perfectly acceptable food is not good enough in this jewel of a pub!!! gone down really quickly over the last couple of years. most past visitors will know what im talking about. a few luke warm pints of dishwater beer will not keep this pub open and i really cant wait to see the black horse being run as it should be again.Good food, good service, good beer, nice landlady. If you want any of this then the black horse is not the place for you...so please dont say perfectly acceptable food... ITS NOT GOOD ENOUGH!!!!
|
Traditional pub in a beautiful village.
Beer choice not great (I am not a fan of Greene King), but Harvey's was on form.
Nice beer garden, perfectly acceptable food.
Could not see what drove the negative postings below.
|
This is a beautiful pub/building in the most beautiful village I've ever visited.
Very quaint and most of the houses have thatched roofs.
The only thing that lets it down for me, is the lack of choice on the alcohol front.
Lagers were only Kronenbourg or Fosters.
Ciders were only Strongbow on draught or some other sugary bottled job.
Could do with a bit more choice.
|
went into this pub yesterday evening and manageress was rude as usual. didnt stay long as all the old locals now going to the sportsman and i wanted to catch up with a few of them. the present landlady needs to learn that its not the pub that is the problem but its is her. jimmydubs comment may be right but he needs to go back again for an evening meal,, will not be so good..
|
Was headed for the Sportsman following reviews on here - but came across The Black Horse first and needed a beer too badly!!
Just to balance things up a bit - I thought it was a good spot. Nice walled beer garden (no sweeping views but very nicely done). My pint was good. Food was pretty straightforward pub menu stuff - but in our case was well executed. My wife had a really good piece of cod - large, well cooked with cracking chips. I wanted a simple ham sandwich - thick hand cut ham on nice bread, couldn't have been better.
Only been once - but based on that, definately not one to avoid as might be inferred from previous postings.
|
aproaching the black horse you expect everything that a country pub should be to greet you once you open the door. Be prepared to be disapointed.
a beautiful building with below average service and less than memorable food. Come on people this pub is a gem and deserves better
|
This pub should have everything going for it: a central location in a beautiful village of thatched cottages, with a fine old interior and even a resident folk club. Unfortunately this is all spoilt by an unadventurous menu, poorly cooked food, a restricted choice of beer of disappointing quality, and uninterested staff. My partner and I went there for a meal a few days ago, the last night of a walking holiday along the South Downs. The "trout with almonds" I ordered had clearly been microwaved from frozen and was uncooked and only luke warm in the middle. There was no sign of it having been finished in an oven or under a grill. The almonds had presumably simply been poured on top from a cook's jar at the last minute. The landlady looked surprised when I sent it back. When a second one arrived we were assured the cook had "done her best with it" but it was still raw in the middle. We sent that back too. Rather than do the decent thing and apologise in person or offer us something else from the menu, the landlady then simply avoided us. We paid for my partner's meal (adequate but basic) and our drinks and left. It seems such a shame that a pub in such an iconic position in such a pretty village should be run so apparently badly.
|
Do sandy and domo live in lala land? This pub used to be good but with so many other better value pubs in the area i stick to my last comment and say, Give it a wide berth. Yes there was a new chef but he lasted about a week because he could'nt cook! As for it being clean??? You must be joking... Next time you visit take a look into the kitchen, I say no more!!!! I still love the sportsman.
|
I visited the Black Horse around a month ago and I totally disagree with the harsh comments made previously about the pub. I found it to have a warm welcoming atmosphere and the staff were friendly and inviting. My children were offered a separate kids menu and there was plenty of choice on the main menu and all of the meals were a fair price. I was sad to see the garden was not yet open but I certainly will be going back as the food was wonderful and the staff were more than helpful. I would also like to say how refreshing it is to see a variety of events held in a pub, where everything from music nights to wine tasting evenings happen. All in all a great pub and a family friendly environment.
|
I have been coming to this pub once a month for the past year now, with my family for a Sunday lunch. This is the first time I have used this site but I thought it appropriate due to the inaccurate comments (see previous). The pub was taken over in november last year. The menu has shrunk in size which I personally prefer although my favourite roast pork was removed. lol. The pub as expected is much cleaner and the staff do great you now with a smile. The odd member seems to lack a bit of bar experience. I have tried most things on the menu and the roast lamb and steak and ale pie are to die for. The sandwiches are excellent value for money but sadly the ploughmans are quite disappointing and also the poached salmon. It was clear a new chef arrived at the beginning of february, and this has only improved the quality of the roasts, even if service slowed a little bit. It takes about 15 - 20mins for food to arrive but it is worth the wait. My final comment is about the beer. I have been a bitter drinker for nearly 35 years and this is one of the best kept bitters in Sussex. Try for yourself! (IPA and Bombadier on tap). Mother's day was excellent!
|
what has happend to this once dream of a pub. for many years it was a fantastic place to visit. went there at the weekend and was shocked by the drop in standards, staff are rude, chef looks like he needs a good bath and the landlady needs some lessons in customer service.dont waste your money at this pub until it has changed hands again, wich will not be long if things dont improve.thought it very expensive for the limited menu and beer was off, like past comments.. GIVE IT A WIDE BERTH..
|
i agree with the person below me give this a wide birth it was a nice country pub with good food run by 2 guys i think but all has change the menu is limited now but the and has no relation to the advertised menu i think the new owner has destroyed a once busy pub with a menu to die for !!!!!!
|
A large group of us went to this pub for Sunday lunch and were bitterly disappointed in the food and particularly in the service. One of us was given a plate of meat, with no vegetables- when we asked for the veg,the staff were too frightened to go and ask the chef. They refused to refund the price of the meal and sent one of us into the kitchen to ask the chef directly. Chef like something out of The Lakes -abusive and threatening. None of us will be going back, and we urge fellow members of this site to give it a wide berth, if you want to a) be fed and b)leave with your nerves intact.
|
One of only a very few pubs in the area that was serving a Sunday evening menu. Good service and very good sunday roast (we hadn't booked either). Bombardier on tap.
anonymous - 10 Jun 2007 22:36 |
Excellent, eccentric folk club meets in the even more eccentricly decorated back room every Tuesday with a fascinating range of music which really explores what folk music should mean !
Good music, good beer, haste ye back !
|
A pub with a bit of character, eclectic mix of decor, beer garden.
Decent food but appallingly slow service in the restaurant - the menu does state allow up to an hour for your food to arrive and they mean it !
anonymous - 4 Jun 2006 17:12 |
Situated in the heart of Amberley The Black Horse is a traditional country pub/restaurant.
Log fires, good choice of beers and decent home-cooked fare at reasonable prices.
Well worth a visit, would advise that you book a table of Sunday.
|
