The Cat Inn, East Grinstead

Official site of Cat Inn - www.catinn.co.uk

Official site of Cat Inn - www.catinn.co.uk

A whitewashed brick and tilehung freehouse opposite the village church. Some rustic benches in the suntrap by the door, coupled with a sheltered beer garden out back. Inside, a saloon bar, with a warren of little rooms, laid up for dining, together with a couple of airy, newly built dining rooms to the rear.In the saloon, an open fire with ornate impedimenta, opposite the curved bar. On a sunny March Saturday lunchtime, the pub was busy with diners and drinkers:the welcome was friendly with an efficient eye to detail. Four handpumps, serving the deservedly popular Harvey’s Sussex Best Bitter, alongside their Sussex XXX Old Ale, a lovely dark chocolatey dark ‘un. I also enjoyed Black Cat Original, a very impressive best bitter from a micro brewery based at Groombridge, and Larkins’ Traditional. The food offering seemed very well presented,using locally produced ingredients: not stratospherically expensive, given the apparent affluence of the area.Dogs are allowed in the bar, but as we were eating, we left ‘em in the car. Upstairs, there are three or four letting rooms. To my mind, a very well run pub , catering for a wide cross section: we’d like to go back.

Excellent local pub located next to Hindley Station.

Superb village community pub in a century's old 'living' village of real character Run for the last few years by well known and respected publicans Mark White and dad Nick, this welcoming multi-roommed traditional hostelry excels at everything from the welcome to the excellent Real Ale - CAMRA Good Beer Guide listed - the superb wine list, fine coffee and a menu that is both traditional but with tantalising daily specials of real imagination and quality Add B & B accommodation, a summer patio, a recently exposed ancient well now visible through glazed flooring in one of the bar areas, an historic sports car in the conservatory - reflecting the owners passion for such rare vintages - and this Inn truly fits the role in very sense