Grove Inn, The

With stately homes, museums, antique shops and the seventeenth century stone building, which houses The Grove Inn, Petworth may exude the sort of charm synonymous with ancient towns in England. The conservatory restaurant with a view over the beautiful gardens overlooking the South Downs and the cosy bar area with oak beams and inglenook fire place, all set the tone for a relaxed meal in idyllic surroundings.

The kitchen's focus on British and gastropub staples are evident in dishes such as homemade salmon fishcake with a watercress sauce, and real ale battered fish and chips. Mains take in baked chicken breast filled with a mushroom stuffing and wrapped in streaky bacon and natural smoked haddock topped with Welsh rarebit. Finish perhaps with baked peaches and vanilla ice cream drizzled with caramel orange sauce or a chocolate and hazelnut brownie. The keenly priced wine list is concise with bins from around the world.