The Stag Inn, Petworth

Visited again recently, just to see how it was going. Pleased to report that it is still at the top of its game. It is still a genuine 'pub' thank God, with all beers and ciders well kept, and Hamish the landlord, is able to combine effortless affability, with equally effortless efficiency, and his staff follow suit. The barmaid/waitress was so superbly friendly and capable, that the leaving of a large tip was a necessity, rather than a responsibility.
As ever, the nosh was better than 'pub', well cooked and in even more vast proportions than I recall from my last visit (we dined in the beautiful garden as the sun went down).
We stayed overnight again, and revelled once more in the quirkiness of the ancient architecture - (apropos of which, there is a wonderful entry in the Guest Book as follows - "Thank God for drunken English builders!")
O.K. the guest bathroom is an experience, and the gentlemen's toilets are a blast from the past, but this is why you want to go there!

If you want bland, clinical "Chain-pub" - then I wish you joy. But if you want a unique experience in a real pub (plus a breakfast that has to be seen to be believed) then seek out "The Stag" now!!

Still nothing to criticise negatively, hence - top marks.

6 Aug 2009 18:30

The Stag Inn, Petworth

Just visited and stayed overnight. Cracking pub, superb in every way as well as being endearingly quirky. Great welcome, extremely friendly 'nothing is too much trouble' landlord and staff, well cooked pub nosh in vast portions plus very good value. Beers well-kept; great log-fire, good atmosphere and a breakfast whose proportions defeated me! Can't really think of anything to criticise negatively. Go now while it lasts, as you can eat and stay there, but it is still a proper pub.
Top marks

18 Feb 2009 15:06

The Brighton Tavern, Brighton

Yes it's gay (so what? This is Brighton) and speaking as a militant heterosexual, this is one of the friendliest and most accommodating pubs in the area. A great welcome, good beer and superb service. As a straight man I have never felt uncomfortable in here.

Try it!

31 Dec 2008 16:41