Chef Tom Sellers has re-opened The Lickfold Inn, a much-loved local pub near Petworth, in West Sussex. Tom is the chef/patron of Michelin-starred Restaurant Story in London, which opened in 2013.
The Lickfold Inn has been a public house for more than a century, and the plot on which it sits is mentioned in historical literature dating from 1314. It was previously owned by celebrity broadcaster Chris Evans, but had been closed since August 2010.
Over the last four years, there has been a huge campaign to ‘Save the Lickfold’, which has been supported by the local community. The building has Grade II listed status, and has been sensitively restored by Tom Sellers and a private investor who lives locally and who acquired the freehold of the property.
Design
The pub has been renovated for comfort and style, but retains exposed wooden beams throughout, and the ground floor pub area features a large, original working open fireplace and a mix of table and stool seating at the bar.
An adjacent lounge area has sofa and armchair seating for up to 20. The upstairs dining room has seating for 36 in two spaces.
Menu
The Head Chef at The Lickfold Inn is Graham Squire, who previously worked in London at both Trinity and Bistro Union with chef Adam Byatt (for five years), and prior to that was at Claridge’s for seven years.
The ground floor is a proper pub open throughout the day serving craft and local beer, a range of modern and traditional cocktails, and snacks, including Scotch eggs, pork pies and charcuterie. The upstairs dining room offers a
modern British menu, incorporating ingredients from the bounty of local specialist suppliers.
Dishes range include: chicken, Earl Grey and hay terrine; spiced pig, blood pudding and piccalilli; mussels, cider and lovage; partridge, barley and stems; ox cheek, mushrooms and oyster; halibut, yeast, cauliflower and sloes; with desserts such as bitter chocolate, clementine and lavender, and fig leaf and damson custard tart.
The Lickfold Inn, Highstead Lane, Lickfold, Nr Petworth, West Sussex GU28 9EY
