Beauworth Restaurant Guide

2022 Review: “Have a lovely walk to work up an appetite” before visiting this laidback brick-walled boozer on the River Meon, handy for the South Downs Way, and with a “very nice little garden down by the brook”. To make sure of enjoying its “great” pubby staples “you need to book – even midweek – as it’s very popular”.

This “beautifully renovated” 17th-century free house “in a wonderful position on the South Downs” has been “transformed from a run-down pub to a welcoming local with fantastic food” under the ownership of Clive & Tanith Cummings (whose previous project, an abbey in France that they ran for 17 years, was the subject of Channel 4 property show ‘Escape to the Chateau DIY’). “The historic building is now thriving again, with a roaring fire to welcome customers on winter days, and a restaurant of design and character” that serves “proper, seriously lovely food, not gastropub fare”, from a “tapas-style menu”. It’s a family business, with son Lewis managing the bar and daughter Georgia the wine list.

This August 2025 newcomer (opened too late for any feedback in our annual diners’ poll) occupies a converted 16th-century pub and is run by Kelly Shaw, a first-time publican, joined by chef Tristan Lee, previously chef-owner of the well-regarded Restaurant Tristan in Horsham (who has returned to the stoves after a two-year sabbatical). The aim is ‘not about chasing trends’ but an all-day kind of pub with food that’s ‘simple, seasonal and soulful’ from a short evolving menu (sample dishes include Spiced Monkfish with pakora; Pork Schnitzel with samphire and fennel remoulade; and Lemon Meringue Pie). There are also carefully curated beers, wines and cocktails.