please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
A great little country pub; it might give over a bit more space to the diner than to the drinker, but it definitely does cater for both as there's always decent ale/cider to be found here. And for the record, the food is excellent. The car park's a bit small though, they should do something about that high kerb at the narrow entrance as my car's bumper is still complaining.
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The interior is plain and rustic, and certainly none the worse for that; it is entirely in keeping with what one expects from its cottagey exterior and a classic country pub.
Clearly food was popular, with some pretty high tallies being racked up on the till, but as I'd already eaten heartily I had to pass. Ale-wise, not much in terms of variety; only 2 cask ales were being sold on my visit last Saturday afternoon. However, the one sampled - a Hammerpot brew - was very nicely kept, and was served alongside what I'm sure is the ever-reliable Harvey's Best. The beer was pulled by a jolly chap who I assume was the landlord, and observation suggested he was being ably assisted by a young barmaid.
This really is the traditional 2-bar arrangement, with a 'public' bar on the right which is smaller and home to some comfortable sofas, and the 'saloon' on the left which is where you'll find the fonrt of the bar, and seating area for dining. The pub dog - a rather docile Golden retriever - was wandering around both inside and out quite happily. I like a pub like this to have its own dog - just seems to fit nicely with the overall vibe.
The whole place was enormously convivial and appealing, and on a late November afternoon held all the charm one wants to find in a rural boozer. It was well-heeled, but without being at all pretentious.
Certainly this is worth chivvying out if you're in the area - don't think you've come too far off the A275 by the way - keep pressingon up School Lane and you'll eventually find the C & H, set back from the road.
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Felt at home in this pub as soon as I walked through the door. Sat at a plain table by the welcoming fire, had a decent pint of King's Sussex, and some nice food. The pub interior is plain and rustic, which is how I like it, although the restaurant is a bit more furnished. Bar staff and locals were very friendly. The only problem with this pub is, it's not close enough to where I live !!
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How sad! We now have a beer drinking site now posting moans from people who do not even drink beer but are more concerned about the style of plate they are eating off. As a local drinker of beer and someone who knows of several pubs in the area I have an interest in keeping the pubs that are worth it going and the Coach & Horses certainly is.It sells my favourite tipple, Harveys, always in top condition and they change the guest ale on a regular basis which is always from the local sussex brewers like Hammerpot or WJ Kings.
If you're after a good pint in a real pub and not uptight about a missing fork with your pudding then I recommend this one!
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Our party of 4 visited the Coach & Horses on a Sunday lunchtime. The pub is in a lovely location and is full of charm and atmosphere. It was also very well frequented, particularly with diners.
We all had a 2-course lunch with coffee/ tea and some drinks (soft). The food was very good, in terms of the fresh produce, delivery and presentation. The choice was not exceptional, but okay. Service was both good and friendly.
Our collective gripe was in the quantity (or lack of) for the prices being charged. Why oh why is it necessary to be so tight on the cheapest things on the plate (e.g. potatoes/ vegetables). The deserts (served on a roof slate...without a fork!?) were little short of laughable. Perhaps this is all perceived to be acceptable if you advertise as a "Gastropub".
The Bill was �108 (excl. service) for the 4 of us, but this is not a place to go if you are hungary!
Would we eat here again...probably not... Sorry!
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This is a great pub, whether your drinking or eating. Lovely food and drink, friendly atmosphere, and helpful staff. I wish I lived in this beautiful setting
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I agree with a previous post on this site as we too had a bad ploughmans experience! we have used this pub on many occasions and always enjoyed the food and ambience but to pay �9 for a small piece of bread and miniscule amount of salad is just not acceptable. When mentioned to our server the response was' oh would you like the dessert menu?' very dissapointing and unlikely to return.
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Came for Sunday lunch with some friends and although no the cheapest it was certainly one the most generous and tasty sunday pub lunches I've had, a real gem secreted away in the sussex countryside. Nice pint of harvey's too..
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I'm new to this pub rating game but had to put a plug in for The Coach. I live up the road and count my lucky stars that this gem of a pub in on my doorstep. As a local its great for beer and chat and when friends come to stay i'm never embarrased to take them there. in five years I've never once been dissapointed by their food. Its not the cheapest but by god its not the dearest either, and you're not get the usual pub grub their food is something special.
Now I'm not too keen for the pub to get overun by townies but credit where credit is due. Working in London means I get to eat out quite a bit and the Coach can hold its own against the best of them.
I had to laugh a some of the clueless comments from Mr Ploughmans if I go out for Sunday lunch have roast (my waistline does berate me) theirs are the best you'll ever have. And they do class them as LIGHT lunches, and even though they offer them who in their right mind has a ploughmans in December, I ask you.
Rant over, i am enjoying this site. I've got a whole lot of venom to express.
Anyway regardless of foolish naysayers the Coach is proper pub that serves food that wins awards and pubs like this derserve our support. It may be out of the way but well worth the visit. And don't be put off by the locals we may be opinionated but we are very witty!
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Well, I must say I had such a delighful experience. Exceptional food and fantastic service. Particularly loved the roasted haunch of venison with smoky bacon bubble and squeak. A great selection of game and fish, all of which appealed my taste. In addition, the atmosphere was superb. An all round fantastic night, highly recommended.
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Very disappointed. Went for lunch on a Sunday and opted for the cheddar ploughman's. The portions were small ie four small pieces of cheese, only just enough to go with the ciabatta, but most disappointing was to find there was no salad, just numerous roasted garlic cloves and mini gherkins. The white of the plate was very visible under the little food received and at just under �9 I felt rather badly done to! When I asked where the salad was I received a blank look and then was offered a side salad, but with the presumption I'd be paying extra for it.
I can't comment on the other items on the menu but if you do go out wanting a robust Ploughman's lunch I'd advise going elsewhere. This is minimalist and would make any ploughman shake his head in disbelief.
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A lovely pub in a peaceful location let down on my visit by the disinterested staff. I had organised a meetup with some old friends and believing the positive reports and the sample menu decided that this would be ideal. What a letdown. Sunday lunch with mainly taciturn teenagers serving..apparently with nobody managing the show....we felt as though we were disrupting their lunches and paying for the privilege! The menu...well conceived but poorly executed....roast beef badly overcooked with a muddle of flavoured vegetables. Stick to the starters as they had some care attendant on them althought the local lamb carpaccio was begging for some sea salt to lift what little flavour it had. Ales..Harvey's always and Dark Star bitter, a rather uninteresting selection. This pub has the feeling that it is resting on some rather old, tired and, for the quality, expensive, laurels. As my old school record said "Could do better". BQ 6
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This pub is very close to being my best pub ever. Sitting outside in the large garden watching the sheep graze as the hours whizz by is one of lifes great joys. Entertainment for children, superb food. i used to visit harvey's brewery regularly for a polypin and this was always my first port of call returning home. My son when he was small just could not wait to get here.
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Went for lunch recently, excellent food and very good beer, beautiful terrace out back, slightly let down by the snooty service but still would recommend it for a good lunch
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My first visit on Sunday proved to be a most enjoyable experience. Very friendly staff, excellent food (being Sunday we both had roasts, my wife had the Beef and I had slow roasted Pork Belly).Superb, accompanied by perfectly cooked vegatables. Beers are kept well too. Prices are typical gastro pub - not cheap, but you get the quality and quantity. The pub has nice country views and a decent sized car park too. I'll be back for more :-)
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I popped in today for a quick pint and to read the papers. My first visit here. A warm welcome and a very good pint of Harveys. Guest ales were from Hammerpot and Archers breweries (not sampled).
It was very pleasant sitting out the front listening to the lambs bleating in the field across the road.I didn't have anything to eat so can't comment on the catering.
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Gentle hostility, followed by good beer, followed by THE most outrageously overpriced food i have ever experienced. I love finding new places to eat and am not anti-gastro pub but when i am presented with 1 slice of bread topped with 1 slice off a leg o lamb and a few leaves from a supermarket mixed salad for �5.50 its almost funny. How the landlord kept a straight face i'll never know. My wife was treated to 1 slice of bread spread with mustard and 'topped' with one slice of ham which had been 'draped' on it in such a way as to try and disguise the fact that it was totally unacceptable.
Ultimately i was glad i got away with only spending �11.00 as i had planned to go for dinner in the future. A lucky escape i feel. Still the wadworths was passable.
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Superb old pub, two bars plus restaurant area, reputation for food. Very nice Harveys and Bill King's. Worth a trip out.
Nick - 31 Aug 2004 12:40 |
Good food - indeed sometimes great!
Favourite "special treat" for my wife and I.
Good selection of beers and, particularly, wines.
Friendly, good service
David - 4 Aug 2004 16:40 |
Great Country Pub
Good beer
Good food
bill baxter - 30 May 2004 13:24 |
