insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 22 - December 2016 | Page 106

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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