Based alongside picture-perfect coast in the village of West Wittering, The Wittering free house is a relaxed, modern pub in an area of outstanding natural beauty. There’s a proper emphasis on food (music to Muddy’s ears), and a particular drive to use seasonal, local ingredients.

What’s fun about the menu is the way it mixes classics with creativity — smoked cod’s roe taramasalata on a Yorkshire pudding, anyone? — without moving into that danger zone of unnecessary faff. A lot of the dishes are simple in theory, excellent in execution: roast chicken with tarragon and mushrooms, for example, a comforting delight of a dish, or even just the really good Wittering burger. Ingredients are sourced from local foragers, growers, fishermen, and like-valued suppliers and producers. That’s a big box-ticker for Muddy!

And the setting for this lovely, locally-driven food? The inside is shot through with a bright, seaside blue and pared-back wooden tables. It feels relaxed but fresh, friendly and airy. The outside space is what long summer evenings were made for: a collection of open-fronted pastel beach huts for a spot of private shade, plus lots of classic picnic tables out on the sun-trap grass. Prime real estate for knocking back Aperol spritzes! The beach huts in particular are a hot commodity, so thankfully in the summer months you can book them specifically by email. Well-behaved dogs are also allowed to visit the bar on a lead (but not in the accommodation spaces).

As of this summer, The Wittering has added a three luxe bedroom suites and a self-contained two-bedroom apartment so the venue seaside staycay written all over it!