Eat & drink
Eat at the Dorset Arms
Our philosophy
Exceptional food using the best local and seasonal produce
Our menu selection offers you the option to enjoy drinks and a light bite in our cosy bar or move into to the restaurant to choose from our popular Specials, favourite British classics and delicious Game dishes, all reflecting the best of what Sussex has to offer.
Bar
An 18th century alehouse in the beautiful Sussex Weald
The De La Warr family records reveal that the Dorset Arms was built in 1595 and became a public house in 1735. It was called The Ale House until 1820 when it became The Dorset Arms. It has therefore been in the same family ownership since the 16th century, except for the period 1986-2013, during which it was the property of Harvey’s of Lewes. It is now back under family ownership.
Being a free house we have a selection of cask beers on tap and change our guest beers every 2-3 weeks, often showcasing local beers from independent brewers in and around Sussex.
Our specialist suppliers keep our bar well stocked with a large range of spirits, vodkas & gins which include the old favourites as well as locally distilled small batch gins, which we like to feature as our Gin of the Month. Berry Brothers and Rudd provide us with our extensive wine selection, many of which can be enjoyed by the glass.
So whether you prefer sitting at the bar with a paper, by the fire with friends or in the garden when the British weather allows, we look forward to seeing you.
Restaurant
Fresh seasonal dishes
served every day
Committed to freshness and using local ingredients whenever possible, the menu offers a wide selection with our ever changing specials allowing us to use seasonal produce to highlight the best of what we do.
Locally we are well-known for our fantastic Game dishes which feature on our menu throughout The Season.
Enjoy the summer
in our Garden Room
Our unique Garden Room, decorated and designed by Lady De La Warr is available for everyday dining as well as private hire. It seats up to 25 guests and is a popular space for dinners, receptions, parties and private events.
With its retractable roof, it is the perfect place for summer lunches in the sunshine, while in the winter months it is a warm and cosy addition to our dining space.
For private event enquiries please contact us on 01892 770278 or email enquiries@dorset-arms.co.uk
Private dining
The perfect space for private dinner parties
For any occasion where you need a more intimate setting, why not opt for The Gun Room or our unique Garden Room with its retractable roof.
The Garden Room seats up to 25 and The Gun Room up to 12, so whether you are looking to host a party, a special occasion or you would just like a bit of privacy give us a call and one of our team will be delighted to help you plan your special event.
If you are looking for any overnight accommodation for your event, we have a selection of rooms in The Old School Cottage and above the pub that can be booked individually or as a whole.
For any enquiries or further information, please call us on 01892 770278 or email us at enquiries@dorset-arms.co.uk
Dining & Drink Lodges
Enjoy our Garden Lodges
We have a stunning private drinks/dining lodge in our garden that is available for hire. It is the perfect venue for any celebration you are planning.
Taking advantage of our beautiful Sussex setting it has been designed around the ‘Country Lodge’ theme. Our lodge can accommodate 15 guest seated and 20/25 standing guests.
You can use the lodge so that it open out into the garden or have it them closed for privacy – it is the perfect venue for any occasion you are planning from birthdays and dinners to baby showers and intimate weddings.
Prices start from £50 for private hire of the lodge and for parties of under 10 we have our A la Carte menu and for events of 10 or more we have set menus for you chose from.
What our customers say
""Excellent food, service & a lovely varied menu too""
"Excellent food, service and a lovely, varied menu too. We had a great evening, thanks guys. Highly recommended for dinner."
""They were always attentive and the food was excellent. We could not have asked for more...""
"We hired a pod for our 40th wedding anniversary. The staff managed to balance being always available but not a constant interruption. They were always attentive and the food was excellent. We could not have asked for more..."
"Excellent meal, excellent service "
"Excellent meal, excellent service. Very happy friendly staff. Lovely atmosphere.
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""Food was excellent, service was fantastic""
"It was the first time I've been to the Dorset Arms. Food was excellent, service was fantastic and I would recommend eating here. I will be back again for the Sunday roast!
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"We will definitely go back"
"The service was efficient and courteous and the food was great. Overall, a very pleasant experience and reasonably priced. We will definitely go back."
"Better and better"
"Since the Restaurant was taken back by the estate, it has gone from strength to strength.Good locally sourced food, good ambience & service.We shall return!"
"Fabulous food in authentic surroundings"
"Really lovely inn. Very welcoming with real old worlde charm. Great service. Had wonderful perfectly cooked sole in delicious sauce. Wish it was my local!"
"One of the best..."
"Food is excellent, service is great. The flat ironed chicken is to die for. Great value, brilliant atmosphere."
"Wonderful dining experience"
"Will highly recommend the dorset to all my family & friends and will be visiting there again! All the staff were a pleasure to be around."
"Great food and lovely pub"
"We went on a Sunday evening and enjoyed a great roast. Service was excellent. Pub was classy without even trying."
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Certificate of
Excellence2015-2017 Winner, TripAdvisor
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Diners' Choice
Award 2018OpenTable
The Dorset Arms Instagram
Rye Bay Whole Roast Lemon Sole, New Potatoes, Samphire, Mussels, Lemon Butter ..a delicious dish from our Autumn menu.
Rye Bay Whole Roast Lemon Sole, New Potatoes, Samphire, Mussels, Lemon Butter ..a delicious dish from our Autumn menu.
It’s almost that time of year again and we are busy taking Christmas bookings for December so if you are thinking of a glass of festive cheer, a get together with family and friends or a work celebration join us for a tree-mendous run up to Christmas.
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Whether you are looking to book a table for 2 or 22 we have a superb Christmas Party menu offering a delicious selection of your festive favourites as well as some Dorset Arms specials
🎄 2 Courses £32.50
🎄 3 Courses £40.00
(Pre-order required with £10 deposit pp)
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To book your table call us 01892 770278 or via link in bio
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#christmasspirit #englishpub #publife #hospitality #sussex #sussexlife #christmasparty #pubsofinstagram #tunbridgewells #cosypub #muddystilettos #staycation #pubswithrooms #pubstagram #tunbridgewells #tunbridgewellsmums #ashdownforest #bedandbreakfast #localpub #christmaspartyfood #partytime #eastgrinstead
It’s almost that time of year again and we are busy taking Christmas bookings for December so if you are thinking of a glass of festive cheer, a get together with family and friends or a work celebration join us for a tree-mendous run up to Christmas.
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Whether you are looking to book a table for 2 or 22 we have a superb Christmas Party menu offering a delicious selection of your festive favourites as well as some Dorset Arms specials
🎄 2 Courses £32.50
🎄 3 Courses £40.00
(Pre-order required with £10 deposit pp)
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To book your table call us 01892 770278 or via link in bio
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#christmasspirit #englishpub #publife #hospitality #sussex #sussexlife #christmasparty #pubsofinstagram #tunbridgewells #cosypub #muddystilettos #staycation #pubswithrooms #pubstagram #tunbridgewells #tunbridgewellsmums #ashdownforest #bedandbreakfast #localpub #christmaspartyfood #partytime #eastgrinstead
🎄Christmas is 6 weeks today🎄so to help with your party planning and your festive fun here are our Christmas and New Year opening hours - if you have any queries or would like to make a booking please call 01892 770278
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#christmastime #christmasparty #sussexlife #sussex #pubswithrooms #sussexpubs #dogfriendlypub #christmashours #partyplanning
🎄Christmas is 6 weeks today🎄so to help with your party planning and your festive fun here are our Christmas and New Year opening hours - if you have any queries or would like to make a booking please call 01892 770278
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#christmastime #christmasparty #sussexlife #sussex #pubswithrooms #sussexpubs #dogfriendlypub #christmashours #partyplanning
Fire up your week and pop in for cosy pint or why not join us for something to eat from our bar snack or a la carte menu..
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#cosypub #englishpub #fireside #sussex #sussexlife #muddysussex #dogfriendlypub #pubswithrooms #publife #Publunch #pintofbeer #tunbridgewells #tunbridgewellsmums #christmaspartyideas #christmaspartyseason #eastgrinstead #ashdownforest
Fire up your week and pop in for cosy pint or why not join us for something to eat from our bar snack or a la carte menu..
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#cosypub #englishpub #fireside #sussex #sussexlife #muddysussex #dogfriendlypub #pubswithrooms #publife #Publunch #pintofbeer #tunbridgewells #tunbridgewellsmums #christmaspartyideas #christmaspartyseason #eastgrinstead #ashdownforest
“They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.”
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“For the fallen” by Robert Laurence Binyon 1869-1914
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#lestweforget #armisticeday #poppies #wewillrememberthem
“They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.”
•
“For the fallen” by Robert Laurence Binyon 1869-1914
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#lestweforget #armisticeday #poppies #wewillrememberthem
Today is International Stout Day..What better way to celebrate than to join us at The Dorset Arms for a perfectly poured pint of Guinness and a Buckhurst Scotch Egg by the fire.
#pubfood #Guinness #fire #stout #beeroftheday #pub
Today is International Stout Day..What better way to celebrate than to join us at The Dorset Arms for a perfectly poured pint of Guinness and a Buckhurst Scotch Egg by the fire.
#pubfood #Guinness #fire #stout #beeroftheday #pub
We are delighted to introduce our very first ‘Curry Night’ on Thursday 21st November at The Dorset Arms. Come and join us for a delicious three course set menu at £30.00 per person featuring:
•A selection of sharing starters including homemade Pakoras, Samosas and Bhaji
• A choice of a Prawn, Chicken or Vegetable Curry with a selection of sides and accompaniments
• A pudding of Pistachio Kulfi
Call us on 01892 770 278 to book
We are delighted to introduce our very first ‘Curry Night’ on Thursday 21st November at The Dorset Arms. Come and join us for a delicious three course set menu at £30.00 per person featuring:
•A selection of sharing starters including homemade Pakoras, Samosas and Bhaji
• A choice of a Prawn, Chicken or Vegetable Curry with a selection of sides and accompaniments
• A pudding of Pistachio Kulfi
Call us on 01892 770 278 to book
A cosy autumn scene at the Dorset Arms today! Hope you can join us this half term for a bite to eat from our delicious seasonal menu.
A cosy autumn scene at the Dorset Arms today! Hope you can join us this half term for a bite to eat from our delicious seasonal menu.
No tricks .. just treats here! Our famous Venison Cottage Pie is back on the menu.
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Made with venison delivered to us straight from The Buckhurst Estate, created to our secret recipe then topped with buttery mash and a cheddar cheese crumb ..if you haven’t tried it yet, it’s a must!
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#pieoftheday #cottagepie #venison #venisonrecipes #localproduce #lovelocal #publunch #sussexpub #englishpubs #tunbridgewellsmums #tunbridgewellslife #tunbridgewellsfood #ashdownforest #eastgrinstead #dogfriendlypub #pubwithrooms
No tricks .. just treats here! Our famous Venison Cottage Pie is back on the menu.
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Made with venison delivered to us straight from The Buckhurst Estate, created to our secret recipe then topped with buttery mash and a cheddar cheese crumb ..if you haven’t tried it yet, it’s a must!
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#pieoftheday #cottagepie #venison #venisonrecipes #localproduce #lovelocal #publunch #sussexpub #englishpubs #tunbridgewellsmums #tunbridgewellslife #tunbridgewellsfood #ashdownforest #eastgrinstead #dogfriendlypub #pubwithrooms
Another wonderful new addition to our menu…Balsamic Roasted Fig Salad with Poached Pears, Candied Walnuts and Brighton Blue
Another wonderful new addition to our menu…Balsamic Roasted Fig Salad with Poached Pears, Candied Walnuts and Brighton Blue
Our House Smoked Duck Breast, Toasted Hazelnuts, Chicory & Raspberry Vinaigrette - a delicious new starter from our autumn menu..
Our House Smoked Duck Breast, Toasted Hazelnuts, Chicory & Raspberry Vinaigrette - a delicious new starter from our autumn menu..
Next time you are in having a drink with us we highly recommend trying one of Chef’s selection of Roasted Nuts - currently on offer we have:
- Honey Roasted
- Salt and Pepper
- Miso and Chilli
£1.50 per serving
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#barsnacks #roastednuts #pubsnacks #englishpubs #sussex #sussexpubs
Next time you are in having a drink with us we highly recommend trying one of Chef’s selection of Roasted Nuts - currently on offer we have:
- Honey Roasted
- Salt and Pepper
- Miso and Chilli
£1.50 per serving
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#barsnacks #roastednuts #pubsnacks #englishpubs #sussex #sussexpubs
Opening Hours
| Mon & Tue: | 12:00 - 20:00 |
| Wed - Sat: | 12:00 - 23:00 |
| Sun: | 12:00 - 18:00 |
Kitchen Hours
| Mon & Tue | 12:00 - 14:30 |
| Wed - Fri: | 12:00 - 14:30 18:00 - 20:30 |
| Sat: | 12:00 - 20:30 |
| Sun: | 12:00 - 16:00 |