GETAWAYS
Escape to the Country at Halfway Bridge
There is something so alluring about following little winding country roads through the beauty that is the Sussex Downs, particularly when your destination is a welcoming old building that is not only full of character, but is the location of a cosy and inspiring‘ restaurant with rooms’... welcome to the Halfway Bridge. BY SAMANTHA READY
Located in the heart of the South Downs National Park lies Lodsworth, home to the 250-year-old Halfway Bridge- a former coaching inn taking its name from the adjacent bridge that literally lies halfway between the nearest towns, Midhurst and Petworth.
While the horse-drawn carts may be a distant memory, the history of this little gem lives on; the Cowdray Barns in the former stable yard are now converted into six beautiful en-suite rooms and one luxurious suite, and the building itself has been renovated and reconfigured so that the small original bar area is now joined by quaint dining spaces offering both intimacy and atmosphere. Original beams, brickwork, parquet flooring and fireplaces have been maintained, preserving that wonderful authenticity that only old buildings can offer, but the addition of wooden panelling, neutral decor and contemporary place settings brings it right up to date and adds to the allure of the seasonal, local menu.
My guest and I arrived on a slightly dark winter’ s afternoon and were immediately drawn in by our surroundings, heading first to our deluxe room. Our room was everything and more that you’ d expect from a barn conversion- high ceilings, beautiful wood beams, traditional wooden furniture and huge floor-toceiling windows through which guests have been known to spot deer right at their bedside when opening their curtains in the morning! In addition to a sleek modern bathroom, comfortable double bed and a hidden coffee machine, this would do very nicely indeed.
After a quick refresh, it was just a few gravelcrunching steps until we were back at the inn where we were welcomed in and shown to our cosy dinner table for two. The menu itself offered a plethora of locally sourced and
seasonal delights; duck, crab, guinea fowl, the sea trout catch of the day- each carefully prepared and beautifully presented.
After some intense decision making our starters were chosen, my guest plumped for the monkfish whilst I opted for the lamb. The monkfish was served delicately seasoned with curry-infused spices, cauliflower couscous and wafer-thin slices of radish and cucumber, which was all promptly devoured. My lamb dish consisted of a perfectly poached fillet of lamb with a sorrel crust, hay-smoked artichoke and broccoli- the lamb was melt-in-the-mouth tender paired with the soft artichoke; a surprise served in the form of a savoury ice cream rather than a sauce and wonderfully cold against the delicate warmth of the lamb.
My guest’ s main course? That seasonal wonder, venison, which was served as a roasted saddle and accompanied by a potato terrine, crisp charred onions, girolles, greens and a rich but not-too-sweet blackberry sauce. The venison was tender, the sauce was divine, and the plate was cleared. I opted for one of the‘ classic’ menu dishes- the chargrilled burger, which my waitress met with a reassuring‘ good choice’ nod. What appeared was a heaving brioche bun with a huge, grilled steak burger accompanied by just the right amount of onions and seasoning. It was set off wonderfully by smoked cheddar cheese, maple-cured bacon and a sweet and sticky bbq sauce. The hand cut chips went down rather well too.
Not one to turn down pudding, it didn’ t take much persuasion to pick a dessert and we were lured by the apple parfait and the satsuma sponge. The sponge was everything it should be- warm, soft, not too stodgy and filled with the winter taste of satsuma. The finishing touch was
a little orange macaroon with a nice chocolate filling, so the whole thing came together like a refined jaffa cake, but better! The parfait delivered a delicate plate of fresh apple flavours- the cool zing from the parfait itself, a cinnamon crumble, and shards of mint-green coloured meringue with a sharp apple sorbet and a delicate tiny toffee apple- and was the perfect end to a perfect meal.
Lucky us; rather than a journey home, my guest and I were able to grab a drink from the bar and amble the minute-long walk back to our room instead.
Fresh from our countryside slumber, we headed back to the inn for a hearty breakfast. A wooden table was heaving with fresh juice, cereals, yogurts and fruit, all set for guests to help themselves while the cooked options were freshly prepared. My guest finished his stay with a hot, buttered muffin and poached eggs, and my English breakfast more than set me up for the day.
Everything about our stay was wonderful- the beautiful building; the welcoming friendly staff; our comfortable bedroom; and our inspired and really very tasty food choices- aside from the name, there’ s nothing about this restaurant with rooms that’ s halfway. I can’ t wait to return.
Halfway Bridge Lodsworth Petworth West Sussex GU28 9BP
01798 861281 enquiries @ halfwaybridge. co. uk www. halfwaybridge. co. uk
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