September might feel early to be thinking about tinsel and turkey, but if you’re the one organising this year’s work Christmas party, now is exactly when you should be booking. The good tables and the good dates at proper countryside pubs get snapped up fast, and few venues in West Sussex do festive quite like The Three Horseshoes Inn.
Tucked away in Lickfold, just outside Petworth and Midhurst, our 16th-century country pub swaps its summer garden for open fires, low beams and candlelight the moment the clocks go back. It’s the kind of place that makes even a Tuesday night work-do feel like an occasion – without the faff of a function room that could belong to any hotel in the country.
Why Book a Christmas Party at a Traditional Country Pub in West Sussex?
Anyone can hire a conference suite. What you can’t buy off the shelf is 500 years of history: timber framing, herringbone brickwork and open fireplaces that have been warming guests since long before “office party” was a phrase. It’s a setting that does a lot of the hard work for you – no need to over-decorate a room that already looks the part.
We’re also a proper working kitchen, not a carvery on autopilot. Our festive menu is built the same way our everyday menu is: seasonal, local and cooked to order, so your team gets a genuinely good meal rather than something reheated in bulk.
Our Festive Menu
Running throughout December, our seasonal Christmas menu features all the trimmings your team will expect – think roast turkey with all the sides, pigs in blankets, a chestnut wellington for vegetarians and a fish option for anyone who fancies something lighter, finished off with indulgent, home-made puddings. Menus are available at two or three courses, so you can pick what suits your budget.
For larger groups, a discretionary service charge applies, which we’ll always confirm with you at the time of booking – no surprises on the night.
Private Dining & Group Spaces
The Three Horseshoes Inn, in Lickfold spans two floors of dining space, from cosy corners for a smaller team lunch to larger areas that comfortably seat bigger groups for a full sit-down party.
Whether you’re six colleagues escaping the office for an afternoon or a whole department taking over a private space for the evening, we can talk through the right setup for your numbers.
If you’d like the whole venue, or a fully private area, to yourselves, our private hire options are worth asking about early – December weekends are the first dates to go.
Prefer to Host Your Own Party? We’ll Come to You
Not every office Christmas do needs to happen in a pub. If you’d rather celebrate somewhere more familiar – your own office, a home, or another local venue – our chefs also offer private dining away from The Three Horseshoes Inn, in Lickfold itself.
It’s a popular choice for corporate away days, family gatherings, or anyone who wants a properly cooked Christmas meal without anyone having to leave their own building.
You get the same standard of seasonal, home-cooked food, just brought to wherever suits your team best.
To ask about availability and pricing for a private chef this Christmas, contact us using our dedicated private hire contact form or on call us 07493 204049.
The Perfect ‘Christmas Do’ Venue for Businesses Near Petworth, Midhurst & Beyond
We’re easily reached from Petworth, Midhurst and the wider Goodwood and Cowdray Estate area, making us a natural choice whether your office is based locally or your team is happy to make a short countryside drive for the occasion.
There’s parking on site, so no one needs to worry about the logistics of getting a group into a busy town centre in December.
How to Book Your Christmas Party
Christmas dates fill up quickly, and once they’re gone, they’re gone – so the earlier you enquire, the better your choice of dates and space.
To check availability or ask about private dining for a larger group, get in touch with our team on 01798 422070 or email bookings@three-horseshoes-inn.co.uk.
You can also book a table directly through our website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the minimum group size for a Christmas party booking? We welcome parties of all sizes, though larger groups (roughly six or more) should book in advance to guarantee space and may be asked to pre-order from the festive menu.
Can you cater for dietary requirements? Yes – our kitchen regularly caters for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and other dietary needs. Just let us know when you book so we can make sure everyone’s looked after.
Is there parking on site? Yes, there’s parking available at the pub, which makes us an easy choice for teams travelling from Petworth, Midhurst or further afield.
Can we hire a private space for our party? Absolutely – we offer private dining for larger groups. Get in touch with our team to talk through space, menu and timings for your event.
