The Cat
East Grinstead,
Sussex
Inn
+44 (0)1342 810369
Visit owner's website
£130 - £165
per night
A warm retreat in a charming Sussex backwater, with a changing menu of fabulous food, and well-furbished bedrooms upstairs
4 rooms
Rooms sleep 2
Pets welcome
Your dates are available!
2 Guests 06 Nov 24 - 06 Nov 24
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£130 - £165 per night
The Experience
Let the dog romp on the South Downs; retire to The Cat for a steak and ale pie. People travel some way for this pleasure. The menu is imaginative, the kitchen has won awards, and the drinks list champions Sussex wines.
This 16th-century freehouse with its Victorian extension stands opposite the church in a small village near Ashdown Forest. Comfortably modernised without losing its character, it is much loved by walkers, opera lovers (Glyndebourne 20 miles) and retired country locals.
Hever Castle, a 30-minute drive, is fascinating. Anne Boleyn lived there in the 1500s and the Astors in 1903; it’s open all year and the gardens are glorious. Return to dogs lounging by the wood-burner, a pint of Harveys and a happy buzz. Four immaculate bedrooms await upstairs.
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We think you'll love
- Trying out different things on the brilliant menu
- Walking all day on the South Downs and returning to such comfort
- Exploring all the historic houses and gardens nearby
You should know
- Not suitable for children under 7
Essentials
- EV charger
- Swimming pool
- Hot tub
- Garden
- Open fire / woodburner
- Breakfast included
- Breakfast available
- Meals available
- Vegetarian meals
- Parking on premises
- Free parking nearby
- Accessible by public transport
- WiFi
- Spa
- Central heating
- Limited mobility
- Wheelchair access
- Mobile reception
- Hob
- Bar
- Barbecue
- Licensed premises
- Paid parking nearby
- Air conditioning
- Relaxation areas
- Tennis court
- No smoking
- Credit cards
- Working farm
- Owner has pets
- Pets welcome
Family friendly
- Baby monitor
- Books and toys
- Children welcome
- Babies welcome
- Stair gates
- High chair
- Fire guard
- Cot available
Nearby
- Pub/bar within 3 miles
- Restaurant within 3 miles
- Shop within 3 miles
Activities
- Bikes available
- Food courses
- Kayaking
- Other courses
- Sailing
- Surfing
- Wild swimming
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Accommodation
Pricing
- Nightly price
- from £130
- Surcharges
- Singles £12500.
- 4 Doubles
- From £130
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Information
Booking information
- Check in
- 2pm
- Check out
- 11am
- Closed
- Rarely.
- No smoking
- Smoking not permitted anywhere in the property.
- Owner has pets
- Animals living on the property
- Dogs
Poop bags, dog biscuits and towels for drying.
Dogs £10 per stay. Max. 2.
Lots of walks in the area.
- Meals
- Lunch & dinner from £12. Bar meals from £6. Sunday lunch, 3 courses, £26. Open Weds-Sun.
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Reviews
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Andrew, his team and the log fires provide a very warm welcome on a chilly January day. This is a very popular pub and eatery for locals and visitors - with good reason. The menu offers a beguiling choice of meals and there are plenty of local wines, beers and juices. The four bedrooms looked immaculate and the beds temptingly comfortable. Andrew’s passion for art is reflected in the eclectic art on the walls throughout and he promotes local artists by showing their work and encouraging others to buy. The care and attention to detail is evident. Every guest is certainly made to feel special.
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Andrew, his team and the log fires provide a very warm welcome on a chilly January day. This is a very popular pub and eatery for locals and visitors - with good reason. The menu offers a beguiling choice of meals and there are plenty of local wines, beers and juices. The four bedrooms looked immaculate and the beds temptingly comfortable. Andrew’s passion for art is reflected in the range of art on the walls throughout and he promotes local artists by showing their work and encouraging others to buy. The care and attention to detail is evident. Every guest is certainly made to feel special.
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Location
The neighbourhood
The village is a pretty base for walkers, near the South Downs and on the edge of Ashton Forest - home of Pooh Bear’s bridge. Good for garden lovers too: Wakehurst Place, the Sussex offshoot of Kew Gardens, is three miles, and Nymans Gardens (NT) are ten. Closer still is the Priest House up the lane, a fascinating 15th-century hall house with furnished rooms. Bluebell, the romantic steam railway, is ten miles.
Local points of interest from Andrew Russell
- Sitting high on a spur of the Sussex Weald, the village is a haven for walkers, ideally placed on the Western edge of the Ashdown Forest.We have local OS maps and boots for you to borrow.
- The local area is blessed with a plethora of attractions and places to visit, including Wakehurst Place, Borde Hill Gardens, Nymans, The Bluebell Railway, Sheffield Park, Lingfield Race Course, Standen, Pooh Bridge and the Priest House in the village
- South of England Showground is only ten minutes drive away - Summer and Autumn shows and numerous antique shows during the course of the year.
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Introducing
Andrew Russell
In 2009, owner Andrew swapped the grandeur of nearby Gravetye Manor for the charms of The Cat. It's been popular ever since. No surprise: he and his team are professional, attentive, and warmly welcoming.
We loved our dog-friendly stay at The Cat Inn (we didn’t tell the dog it was called that!). Comfy bed and little lounge area to relax in with a large bathroom and luxury cosmetics and robes made it a cosy winter retreat. Hearty breakfasts, walks from the door, and another great pub just down the road (The Fox) for food if you want a change.