Gravetye Manor

Although it’s situated close to Gatwick Airport, this grand and enchanting Elizabethan manor feels a world away from the London rat race, surrounded by 1,000 acres of green fields, forests and its own gorgeous gardens (designed by Victorian horticulturist William Robinson).

Inside, it’s a picture of cosseting luxury, with a stunning glass-panelled dining room that overlooks the luscious gardens at the heart of things. A pea green and crisp white colour scheme lends itself to the ‘bringing the outside in’ vibe, while the garden also plays a key role in the kitchen team’s year-round efforts. Throughout the year, produce from the garden is harvested and used to drive and inspire The Dining Room’s seasonally-changing menus.   

When it comes to the food, you can expect stunningly creative and “utterly delicious” Michelin-starred seasonal assemblages ranging from the likes of roasted creedy carver duck with baby beetroots, buckwheat, honey and hen of the woods, to loin of south coast haddock served alongside lettuce, broad beans, peas, pickled elderflower and gin.

Following that, what could be more tempting than a blackcurrant soufflé or strawberries topped with garden herbs and ruby chocolate. If you’d rather a liquid dessert, Gravetye’s wine list is a real aristocrat, with fine pedigree on every page, and the place also earns bonus points for its “impeccable service, warm ambience and very clever cocktails”.

If you’re not stopping by for dinner, there are plenty of other opportunities to visit The Dining Room. Guests can also enjoy a three-course lunch menu, a hearty Sunday roast or even pop by for a resolutely traditional take on that oh-so-British pastime of afternoon tea. Gravetye’s wine list meanwhile is a real aristocrat, with fine pedigree on every page, and the place also earns bonus points for its “impeccable service, warm ambience and very clever cocktails”.

The Dining Room is the Michelin-starred flagship restaurant at Gravetye Manor, a historic country house nestled in the heart of West Sussex. Set within a 17th-century manor surrounded by 1,000 acres of gardens and woodland, it offers an elegant environment to enjoy its exceptional fine dining menus.

Under the guidance of executive chef Martin Carabott, who joined in March 2025, The Dining Room continues to champion seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. The kitchen team works closely with trusted local suppliers and draws inspiration from the estate’s walled kitchen garden, originally designed by William Robinson in the 19th century. This commitment to fresh, high-quality produce ensures menus that evolve with the seasons and constantly offer diners something new.

The menu is a set three-course affair, complemented by complimentary seasonal intermediate dishes that highlight the finest ingredients from the kitchen garden. Starters have included dishes such as Cornish blue fin tuna with bonito, perilla and garden radishes, while main courses feature options like Southwest PGI lamb with confit garlic, ewe's milk cheese and olives. Desserts are inventive and indulgent, including triple cream cheesecake with kitchen garden berries and Tahitian vanilla, before ending with coffee and petit fours.

The Dining Room’s design features floor-to-ceiling windows that provide uninterrupted views of the surrounding gardens, creating a tranquil and immersive atmosphere. A curated wine list and a dedicated sommelier team further enhance the dining experience, ensuring each dish is perfectly complemented.

With its combination of meticulous seasonal menus, exceptional produce, and polished service, The Dining Room at Gravetye Manor delivers a quintessential fine dining experience. It is an ideal destination for special occasions, celebrations, or anyone seeking an elegant and memorable culinary journey in the Sussex countryside.