The Kings Head, Horsham

This grade II listed building apparently dates from the 13th century, and has a history of close association and some border disputes with the Norman church behind. Most of it however seems to have been built in the 18th century, at which time it is first recorded as having become a pub. The entrance, up several steps, takes you into the bar end of this long, narrow affair, which has a restaurant area at the other end and the bar itself towards the middle. The old doors to the ladies and gents announce them as the ‘parlour maids’ and the ‘drovers’. There is an outside seating area at street level at the front, separated from the road by a fence and which in summer is kept heavily in bloom. It wasn’t busy yesterday afternoon but seemed a friendly place. Its four ale pumps were serving Harvey’s Sussex Best and WJ King’s Horsham Best, with reversed Spitfire and TEA clips on the other two. The King’s was pretty good. On the food side, it now specialises in Italian, with a very appealing looking menu and specials board featuring a lot of seafood dishes in particular. Menu offers include a two course ‘light lunch or dinner’ for £6.50 or a substantial one for £12.50. We’d just dropped in for a drink, and would happily do so again, or might come and try the food as well.