Sussex


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/1-1000x667.jpg" alt="best pubs near haywards heath" class="wp-image-73150" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lowdown">THE LOWDOWN</h2>



<p>It’s one thing to be loved by locals, and another entirely to be a destination pub worth travelling for. But, <a href="https://www.thesloopinn.com/">The Sloop Inn</a> appears to cater to both demands, which is handy, as it’s just five minutes drive from Haywards Heath. Renovations were finalised earlier this year and the glow up complete, but most importantly the large garden remains untouched and as inviting as always. Just like sister pub <a href="https://www.thejollysportsman.com/">The Jolly Sportsman</a>, The Sloop Inn hosts live events and entertainment from open mic nights (if you dare) to quizzes (a little less intimidating), they have all the hallmarks of a proper pub with a Sunday roast and beer on tap.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/7-1000x667.jpg" alt="best pubs near haywards heath" class="wp-image-73151" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/7-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/7-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/7-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/7.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE</h2>



<p>Quick warning, the signal will go as you approach the pub. Understandably, me and Google maps weren’t friends for portions of the drive. But most people, in fact, all people, have a better sense of direction than Muddy. Pulling up into the car park, after stalling, classy, it’s almost full &#8211; a good sign that this place is popular.&nbsp; You enter via a little gate and straight into the garden. There are lots of tables outside and plenty of shade &#8211; great for families! I can imagine in the winter it’s very cosy as the pub has low ceilings and little nooks to hid in with a glass of red and the paper (remember those hard copy things?). </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/3-1000x667.jpg" alt="best pubs near haywards heath" class="wp-image-73153" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/3-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/3-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/3-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/3.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The brand spanking new interiors feature lots of teal, wood, rich leather and browns with pops of blue. In effect, it feels quite homely without any sign of florals, phew. There are images of steam trains and even a miniature model inside but it took Muddy a little convo with ChatGPT to establish the locomotive connection. Are you ready? Here’s a little local history lesson. At Scayne’s Hill sloops would move bricks along the River Ouse to be loaded onto trains for the London to Brighton line. The sloops would also move quarry stones from Haywards Hearth station around Sussex including to build the rather beautiful Lancing College. Right, enough of that it’s time for a drink. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/2-1000x667.jpg" alt="best pubs near haywards heath" class="wp-image-73152" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/2-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/2.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-and-quaff">SCOFF AND QUAFF</h2>



<p>For a Friday lunch it’s pretty buzzing inside and out, that’s got to be a good sign, right? Well actually it’s a great sign. We settle down at our inside table and I order an alcohol free beer which comes ice cold, ideal for the hot day, while Muddy’s plus one opts for a cider. We feel like proper pub people, even though our usual haunts are more about small plates and English sparkling, but we are very much at ease here.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/4-1000x667.jpg" alt="best pubs near haywards heath" class="wp-image-73155" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/4-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/4-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/4-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/4.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The menu is locally sourced and freshly prepared, and on Fish Fridays, as the pub calls it, you can enjoy fresh catch from New Haven. Before ordering I am wishing I was here for Sunday lunch, and I eye up the oysters but decide on beef rillette, crispy bread, pickled vegetables and horseradish cream. This was perfectly balanced with crunch and creaminess and the right hit of sharp and sweet flavours.</p>



<p>My plus one is gluten free and it was no bother for the chef to offer GF bread to go with her order of heritage tomatoes, feta, tapenade and basil. She was very quiet during the starter, so I took that as a sign she was enjoying things. That or Muddy’s conversation was somewhat lacking.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/6-1000x667.jpg" alt="best pubs near haywards heath" class="wp-image-73156" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/6-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/6-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/6-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/6.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Next up, she opted for the Sloop chicken caesar salad &#8211; a deconstructed version with bacon and lashing of sauce. Muddy went for another classic &#8211; the cheese and charcuterie ploughman’s. This came with a healthy serving of fresh sourdough bread, Italian meats and Sussex cheeses. We took our time to enjoy things before heading into the sunshine for a drink.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/8-1000x667.jpg" alt="best pubs near haywards heath" class="wp-image-73157" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/8-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/8-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/8-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/8.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>We were too full for dessert but we eyed up the strawberry tart another table had and wished we’d had more room and time. But there’s nothing stopping us returning!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-out-and-about">OUT AND ABOUT</h2>



<p>If you’re in a walking kind of mood sister pub <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/pubs-inns/country-pub-with-rooms-near-lewes/">The Jolly Sportsman</a> will take just under three hours &#8211; enough time to work up an appetite then. If you’re with the kids, head to the Muddy award winning <a href="https://themacsfarm.co.uk/">The Macs Farm</a> near Ditchling who host special meet and feed the animal sessions &#8211; one for the school holidays then. The National Trust’s <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/sussex/sheffield-park-and-garden">Sheffield Park and Gardens</a> in Uckfield is under 15 minutes in the car and offers plenty of space to run around in or admire the gorgeous colour. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



<p><strong>Good for:</strong> Families, the garden offers space to run around, as well as groups, as everyone here will be catered for if you want fish and chips or a burger or oysters and wine &#8211; the menu has you covered. </p>



<p><strong>Not for:&nbsp;</strong>Anyone after fine dining, this is a pub after all!</p>



<p><em><a href="https://www.thesloopinn.com/">The Sloop Inn</a>, 99 Sloop Ln, Haywards Heath RH17 7NP</em><br><br>READ MORE: <br><a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/pubs-inns/country-pub-with-rooms-near-lewes/">Country pub with rooms! Muddy reviews The Jolly Sportsman, near Lewes</a><br><a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/pubs-inns/pump-it-up-is-this-really-the-best-pub-in-sussex/">Pump it up! Is this really the best pub in Sussex?</a><br><a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/pubs-inns/local-pubs-where-celebrities-drink/">Wet your whistle! The local pubs where celebrities drink</a></p>


Best country pubs near Haywards Heath: Muddy reviews The Sloop Inn, Scaynes Hill

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