White Horse at Sutton

At first glance, the White Horse might look solidly traditional, tucked away in a South Downs backwater village. But inside, it surprises with its fashionable good looks: the light, opened-up space delivers a contemporary take on the country inn, with a pleasing mix of neutral tones & warm polished woods, bags of dining space & hand-pulled ales, plus the bonus of five stylish bedrooms. The kitchen also mixes classic & up-to-the-minute themes: old faithfuls such as pork & sage sausages (with mash, savoy cabbage & shallot gravy) are served in tandem with more fashionable ideas (perhaps a Med-influenced smoked chicken & chorizo salad with avocado & sun-blushed tomatoes), while desserts promise sticky toffee pudding alongside more modish homemade liquorice ice cream with sambuca syrup. A separate menu of lighter meals satisfies all appetites & wallets.