The Welldiggers Arms

The staff were all friendly and accommodating, and the food we tried was excellent. Still, we didn’t feel the stay was good value for the price. This was our second Butcombe group pub stay this year, and it left us a little disappointed. We had a Signature Room with a lovely view, but both the bedroom and bathroom were small. The bed was comfortable, though the lighting was poor and the layout awkward, with very few places to put things in either room. For what we paid, we expected more space. Dinner service was slow, and the menu had few gluten-free choices. We skipped lunch because that menu felt more like a dinner menu and also had limited GF options. We went into Petworth instead and found a lovely café called Saddlers.

We were seated promptly and the staff served us politely and efficiently. The food was very good, although a little pricey, so it feels like a treat for now and then. With the beautiful South Downs views through the restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling windows, it’s a lovely place. I’ve booked a table for the whole family in April.

It was nice to bring my own family back to a place my parents used to love in the 1980s. On our late January visit, we booked Sunday lunch for three and were warmly welcomed. Our table looked over fields and the countryside towards the South Downs. The menu suited the setting, with seasonal food, traditional Sunday roasts and good local produce. We had a very nice lunch and were well looked after. It felt like a treat at this traditional country inn on the edge of Petworth, which serves seasonal, locally sourced food. Visited January 2018.

The courtyard opening onto the view was lovely, and the bed was very comfortable. Our Room with a view lived up to its name. The room and bathroom were a credit to the housekeeping staff, and having USB and USB-C charging points on all the plugs was a useful touch. We arrived on Sunday and were surprised by how busy it was. After eating in the restaurant, though, we could see why. We look forward to coming back.