Eat & drink
Eat at the Dorset Arms
Our philosophy
Exceptional food using the best local and seasonal produce
Our menu selection offers you the option to enjoy drinks and a light bite in our cosy bar or move into to the restaurant to choose from our popular Specials, favourite British classics and delicious Game dishes, all reflecting the best of what Sussex has to offer.
Bar
An 18th century alehouse in the beautiful Sussex Weald
The De La Warr family records reveal that the Dorset Arms was built in 1595 and became a public house in 1735. It was called The Ale House until 1820 when it became The Dorset Arms. It has therefore been in the same family ownership since the 16th century, except for the period 1986-2013, during which it was the property of Harvey’s of Lewes. It is now back under family ownership.
Being a free house we have a selection of cask beers on tap and change our guest beers every 2-3 weeks, often showcasing local beers from independent brewers in and around Sussex.
Our specialist suppliers keep our bar well stocked with a large range of spirits, vodkas & gins which include the old favourites as well as locally distilled small batch gins, which we like to feature as our Gin of the Month. Berry Brothers and Rudd provide us with our extensive wine selection, many of which can be enjoyed by the glass.
So whether you prefer sitting at the bar with a paper, by the fire with friends or in the garden when the British weather allows, we look forward to seeing you.
Restaurant
Fresh seasonal dishes
served every day
Committed to freshness and using local ingredients whenever possible, the menu offers a wide selection with our ever changing specials allowing us to use seasonal produce to highlight the best of what we do.
Locally we are well-known for our fantastic Game dishes which feature on our menu throughout The Season.
Enjoy the summer
in our Garden Room
Our unique Garden Room, decorated and designed by Lady De La Warr is available for everyday dining as well as private hire. It seats up to 25 guests and is a popular space for dinners, receptions, parties and private events.
With its retractable roof, it is the perfect place for summer lunches in the sunshine, while in the winter months it is a warm and cosy addition to our dining space.
For private event enquiries please contact us on 01892 770278 or email enquiries@dorset-arms.co.uk
Private dining
The perfect space for private dinner parties
For any occasion where you need a more intimate setting, why not opt for The Gun Room or our unique Garden Room with its retractable roof.
The Garden Room seats up to 25 and The Gun Room up to 12, so whether you are looking to host a party, a special occasion or you would just like a bit of privacy give us a call and one of our team will be delighted to help you plan your special event.
If you are looking for any overnight accommodation for your event, we have a selection of rooms in The Old School Cottage and above the pub that can be booked individually or as a whole.
For any enquiries or further information, please call us on 01892 770278 or email us at enquiries@dorset-arms.co.uk
Dining & Drink Lodges
Enjoy our Garden Lodges
We have a stunning private drinks/dining lodge in our garden that is available for hire. It is the perfect venue for any celebration you are planning.
Taking advantage of our beautiful Sussex setting it has been designed around the ‘Country Lodge’ theme. Our lodge can accommodate 15 guest seated and 20/25 standing guests.
You can use the lodge so that it open out into the garden or have it them closed for privacy – it is the perfect venue for any occasion you are planning from birthdays and dinners to baby showers and intimate weddings.
Prices start from £50 for private hire of the lodge and for parties of under 10 we have our A la Carte menu and for events of 10 or more we have set menus for you chose from.
What our customers say
"Some of the best pub food we have sampled "
"Absolutely wonderful lunch following a 5 mile hike around Buckhurst Park and 100 acre Wood on a pleasant November day.
Some of the best pub food we have sampled in many years of dining out.
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""Would definitely recommend it here""
"Group of 12 work colleagues for a late lunch. Service was excellent and the food was really delicious. I had duck salad and it was very good indeed, followed by 3 tiny puddings, delicious. Would definitely recommend it here."
"The food was delicious! Portions were generous and we all thoroughly enjoyed our meal"
"Came here on a Saturday evening with family, having booked a few days prior. The pub is a very traditional English looking pub (which I love) and it was busy, which was also lovely to see. The food was delicious! Portions were generous and we all thoroughly enjoyed our meal. I can highly recommend the Venison Ragu - it was delicious.
The staff were lovely, very friendly and attentive. How we haven’t come across this gem before I don’t know!! We shall definitely be returning."
""If anyone is looking for the ‘best Sunday Roast’ I can’t reccomend the Dorset Arms in Withyham enough""
"If anyone is looking for the ‘best Sunday Roast’ I can’t reccomend the Dorset Arms in Withyham enough!! Idyllic country village 20 mins outside of Tunbridge Wells, warm atmosphere, friendly and attentive staff. The Sunday roast was exquisite, well portioned and cooked to absolute perfection eveyone should try this The Dorset Arms, Withyham
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""The service was exceptional, food was delicious and the atmosphere was great - you are a great team" "
""We have just moved to the area and had some friends over so decided to book The Dorset Arms for their sunday roast. We were not disappointed at all. The service was exceptional. The food was delicious and the atmosphere was great. We had such a great time here that we will be sure to bring others here too. Amelie was great at taking my booking and looking after us. Thank you guys. You are a great team and we look forward to seeing you again soon.""
"We would have no hestitation in recommending it to others .."
"We have been to the Dorset Arms many times over the past few years and the standard has been consistently good. Lovely warm friendly atmosphere, nice staff and good food. Always a pleasurable experience. We would have no hesitation recommending it to others. Thank you for a great Sunday lunch!"
""A warm inviting country pub with rooms ..""
"What a brilliant find. A warm.and inviting country pub with rooms. We had a fabulous dinner and breakfast the following morning. The Manager was so friendly and together with her staff... nothing was too much trouble..would highly recommend!"
""Really good, honest pub grub""
"Food was timely and well cooked, fresh and as described on the menu. Cosy atmosphere.
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"Lovely pub with welcoming open fire..."
"Good food and very friendly staff. Will definitely be back. A great find "
"Lovely pub, quite traditional but the food is awesome."
"Lovely pub, quite traditional but the food is awesome. Only had Harvey’s on hand pump but IPAs, Guinness and lagers available. The smoked haddock on mustard mash was delicious. There’s a 7 mile walk that loops from this pub, so what’s not to like 😁"
"Super dog friendly .."
"Great service and fantastic value set menu. Interesting food and beautifully presented.super dog friendly Tooze will definitely be back soon"
""Hidden Gem" "
" stumbled across the Dorset Arms while in the area and what caught my eye straight away was the sight of oysters on the menu, not something you expect from a traditional pub tucked away in the middle of Sussex. Naturally, curiosity (and a love of good seafood) led me in.
I was genuinely impressed. The Mersey oysters were outstanding, fresh, briny, and as good as any I’ve had. In fact, I usually swear by the oysters at Smiths in Wapping, which are hard to top, but these were right up there.
The staff were polite, the atmosphere relaxed, and the food far exceeded expectations. If you are anywhere near the area, the Dorset Arms is absolutely worth a visit, especially if you’re an oyster lover."
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Certificate of
Excellence2015-2017 Winner, TripAdvisor
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Diners' Choice
Award 2018OpenTable
The Dorset Arms Instagram
Opening Hours
| Mon & Tue: | 12.00 - 16.00 |
| Wed - Sat: | 12:00 - 23:00 |
| Sun: | 12:00 - 18:00 |
Kitchen Hours
| Mon & Tue | 12:00 - 14:30 |
| Wed - Fri: | 12:00 - 14:30 18:00 - 20:30 |
| Sat: | 12:00 - 14:30 18:00 - 20:30 |
| Sun: | 12:00 - 16:00 |