If “live to eat” is your mantra, exploring the South Downs National Park’s gastronomic offerings should move to the top of your bucket list, pronto. The towns of Petworth and Midhurst have well deserved reputations for quality produce and culinary experiences, and offer everything from cafes serving locally roasted coffee and homemade cakes to restaurants where menus showcase freshly sourced ingredients and local flavours.
With much of the stunning South Downs devoted to farming, it follows that locally reared meats and dairy are to be found on the menu and available to buy in the farm shops which are dotted around – and are well worth tracking down. The Farm Shop at Cowdray Estate in Midhurst is a veritable feast for the senses as you select from artisan breads, cheeses and charcuterie, as well as a traditional butchery and freshly baked sweet treats. You can even order a fabulous picnic basket for your day out in amid the rolling hills.
Opened in 2021, Sky Park Farm is a family run farm devoted to farming deer, reviving an ancient tradition of deer farming in the area from medieval times right through to the 1800s. The herds of red, white and sika deer make a fabulous farm experience for visitors, and the carefully reader venison is available to buy at the farm shop, as well as featuring on the menu at the farm’s ‘Grazing Rooms’ which opens for breakfasts and lunches, as well as regular dinner events.
No West Sussex stay is complete without experiencing a traditional pub, and there’s a plenty to choose from. Think roaring fires under historic beamed ceilings, or perhaps sunny pub gardens with views for days – whatever the season, the welcome will be warm. Enjoy locally brewed ales and taste our award-winning Sussex wines as you relax over a lazy lunch or delicious dinner.
