Sussex

<p>The Cat has been one of my top restaurants for many years now. Friends from the gastronomic paradise of Belgium always insist on going to The Cat when they come over. The village is lovely and the Church&#8217;s &#8216;multi-storey&#8217; graveyard must be unique!</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://www.catinn.co.uk/storage/gallery/dscf5128.jpg" alt="" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE LOWDOWN</h2>



<p>Although we&#8217;re spoilt for choice in Sussex with chocolate box villages with   gastro pubs, The Cat Inn is one that should definitely be on your radar.  Hidden away in the small but pretty village of West Hoathly near East Grinstead, it&#8217;s neither showy nor highly styled, but comfortingly old-fashioned, with cosy corners and a welcoming host in the shape of Andrew, former general manager at nearby Gravetye Manor.</p>



<p>The real star here is the food, which is why the pub proudly displays their 2021 Michelin Bib Gourmand award. Clearly word has got around, as at midday on a dreary Tuesday lunchtime the pub was full with diners keen to sample the delicious locally sourced menu. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="600" src="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/03/Untitled-design-2022-03-16T153713.601.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-56977" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/03/Untitled-design-2022-03-16T153713.601.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/03/Untitled-design-2022-03-16T153713.601-300x180.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/03/Untitled-design-2022-03-16T153713.601-720x432.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/03/Untitled-design-2022-03-16T153713.601-768x461.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/03/Untitled-design-2022-03-16T153713.601-875x525.jpg 875w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>The pub overlooks the pretty churchyard</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE VIBE </h2>



<p>Muddy award-winner The Cat has been a watering hole of some form or other since its inception in the 16th century and sits opposite a picturesque 900-year-old church which is the centre of the sleepy village. The pub itself is all nooks and crannies with dark timber beams and inglenook fireplaces. There is a bright sunny dining room and a small enclosed courtyard with an awning.  It&#8217;s unpretentious and welcoming and the sort of pub you could easily spend all day (and evening!) in.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://www.catinn.co.uk/storage/gallery/img_9829.jpg" alt="" /><figcaption>Cosy areas for groups</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SCOFF AND QUAFF</h2>



<p>Head chef Alex Jacquemin, and his team offer exceptional freshly prepared pub food using local seasonal ingredients. We kicked off with the calamiri  which was crispy and light and the accompanying beer bread and South Downs butter was so divine I had to stop myself ordering a second portion.</p>



<p>To wash it down we plumped for a cider and small red, (well it was only noon), but the wine list features an impressive selection of Sussex still and sparkling action from local vineyards <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/albourne-estate-albourne/">Albourne,</a> NYEtimber and Bolney. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="600" src="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/03/Untitled-design-2022-03-16T153449.103.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-56975" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/03/Untitled-design-2022-03-16T153449.103.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/03/Untitled-design-2022-03-16T153449.103-300x180.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/03/Untitled-design-2022-03-16T153449.103-720x432.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/03/Untitled-design-2022-03-16T153449.103-768x461.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/03/Untitled-design-2022-03-16T153449.103-875x525.jpg 875w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>Divine nibbles</figcaption></figure>



<p>Onto the main event &#8211; and wow they did not disappoint. My husband went all out with the 12 hour belly of pork, which came with savoy cabbage and a mustard &amp; chive cream sauce. It was quite simply the best he&#8217;d ever had (and believe me he&#8217;s had a few). </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="800" src="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/03/Untitled-design-2022-03-16T153802.784.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-56978" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/03/Untitled-design-2022-03-16T153802.784.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/03/Untitled-design-2022-03-16T153802.784-300x240.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/03/Untitled-design-2022-03-16T153802.784-625x500.jpg 625w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/03/Untitled-design-2022-03-16T153802.784-768x614.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/03/Untitled-design-2022-03-16T153802.784-656x525.jpg 656w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>Mains look as good as they taste</figcaption></figure>



<p>My line caught cod was also <em>insanely </em>good &#8211; cooked to perfection with grapes, forest mushrooms and an usual wild garlic spatzle (a German pasta), which was the perfect partner.  </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="600" src="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/04/Untitled-design-2022-04-03T203014.792.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-57427" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/04/Untitled-design-2022-04-03T203014.792.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/04/Untitled-design-2022-04-03T203014.792-800x480.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/04/Untitled-design-2022-04-03T203014.792-768x461.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/04/Untitled-design-2022-04-03T203014.792-875x525.jpg 875w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>We can attest to the cosiness of the fire</figcaption></figure>



<p>Don&#8217;t worry we did leave room for dessert, (tough job but someone&#8217;s got to do it) and were pleased we had. I plumped for the rhubarb rice pudding which was deep fried but was light and refreshing, while my other half went for the &#8216;full diet option&#8217; again (ahem), with the spiced ginger sponge with butterscotch sauce and my god it was good &#8211; I almost licked the plate like a badly behaved dog. </p>



<p>We rounded it all off with a seriously good espresso which helped wake us up after the inevitable food slump.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="600" src="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/03/Untitled-design-2022-03-16T153400.956.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-56979" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/03/Untitled-design-2022-03-16T153400.956.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/03/Untitled-design-2022-03-16T153400.956-300x180.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/03/Untitled-design-2022-03-16T153400.956-720x432.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/03/Untitled-design-2022-03-16T153400.956-768x461.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/03/Untitled-design-2022-03-16T153400.956-875x525.jpg 875w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>The prettiest puddings</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">WANT TO STAY?</h2>



<p>Who wouldn&#8217;t? There&#8217;s four rooms at The Cat, in a Victorian extension above the pub, and they&#8217;re all smart and welcoming with hotel crisp linen, coffee machines, waffle robes &amp; delightful toiletries.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://www.catinn.co.uk/storage/gallery/room-2.jpg" alt="" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">AROUND AND ABOUT</h2>



<p>West Hoathly is well positioned&nbsp;on the edge of Ashdown Forest and close to the Bluebell Railway and Kew Gardens’ sister site Wakehurst, and also not far from Borde Hill and Sheffield Park. The 15th century Priest House, which once belonged to Henry VIII and Elizabeth I,&nbsp;is also in the same village.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="600" src="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/03/Untitled-design-2022-03-16T153652.375.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-56980" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/03/Untitled-design-2022-03-16T153652.375.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/03/Untitled-design-2022-03-16T153652.375-300x180.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/03/Untitled-design-2022-03-16T153652.375-720x432.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/03/Untitled-design-2022-03-16T153652.375-768x461.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/03/Untitled-design-2022-03-16T153652.375-875x525.jpg 875w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



<p>The Cat is the sort of pub everyone would love as their local, and those lucky enough to count it as such probably wish people like me would keep quiet about it. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="600" src="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/03/Untitled-design-2022-03-16T153543.698.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-56982" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/03/Untitled-design-2022-03-16T153543.698.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/03/Untitled-design-2022-03-16T153543.698-300x180.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/03/Untitled-design-2022-03-16T153543.698-720x432.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/03/Untitled-design-2022-03-16T153543.698-768x461.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/03/Untitled-design-2022-03-16T153543.698-875x525.jpg 875w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><strong>Good for</strong>: Long, lunches and cosy dinners. It&#8217;s a pub for foodies but not pompous ones (plus it&#8217;s also dog friendly despite the name.) </p>



<p><strong>Not for</strong>: There&#8217;s a little outside space but no garden or play area, so it&#8217;s one for a break from, rather than with, the littles. Children also need to be 7+ to stay over. Parking can be tight so be prepared to park elsewhere in the village and walk a short way to the pub.</p>



<p><strong>The Cat Inn, North Lane, West Hoathly, West Sussex, RH19 4PP, 01342 810369,&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.catinn.co.uk/" target="_blank">catinn.co.uk</a>. </strong></p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="600" src="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/04/Untitled-design-2022-04-03T202927.180.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-57426" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/04/Untitled-design-2022-04-03T202927.180.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/04/Untitled-design-2022-04-03T202927.180-800x480.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/04/Untitled-design-2022-04-03T202927.180-768x461.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/04/Untitled-design-2022-04-03T202927.180-875x525.jpg 875w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><strong>Lunch</strong><br>Wednesday to Saturday,&nbsp; 12noon to 2pm<br>Sunday 12noon to 5pm, pub closes 8.30pm</p>



<p><strong>Dinner</strong><br>Wednesday to Saturday 6pm to 8.30pm</p>



<p><strong>Closed Monday and Tuesday</strong>, reservations essential. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://www.catinn.co.uk/storage/about-us.jpg" alt="" /><figcaption>The team</figcaption></figure>


The Cat Inn, West Hoathly

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