There’s a particular kind of hunger that only turns up once the cold weather does – the sort that wants a plate of something warm, familiar and unapologetically indulgent, eaten somewhere with a fire going. That’s exactly what our menu is built for.
At The Three Horseshoes Inn, in Lickfold, we’ve always believed a pub should do the simple things brilliantly. Once autumn sets in and our west-facing garden gives way to open fires and low beams inside, our pub classics come into their own – proper pub food, made with the same local, seasonal ingredients we use across the rest of the menu, served in a 16th-century inn that was built for exactly this kind of evening.
What Makes a Proper Pub Classic
Anyone can put “fish and chips” on a menu. Doing it well is another matter. Our approach to pub classics is simple: take the dishes people genuinely crave in winter and refuse to cut corners on any of them – good batter, proper hand-cut chips, meat from suppliers we know, and puddings made in-house rather than pulled from a freezer.
It’s comfort food, but comfort food that still earns its place on a menu built around seasonal, locally sourced cooking.
The Kind of Food You’ll Find on Our Classics Menu
A few of the dishes doing the heavy lifting once the weather turns:
Top of the list is our posh cottage pie – all the comfort of a proper roast dinner, distilled into one dish, with rich, slow-cooked mince under a golden mash top and a proper gravy underneath. It’s the kind of thing that tastes like a Sunday even on a Tuesday.
Alongside it, our battered South Coast cod arrives with pea purée, hand-cut chips, and your choice of curry or tartare sauce – a proper chip-shop classic done the way it should be and our flat iron steak brings the same hearty, roast-dinner instinct in a different form, for anyone after something more substantial.
There’s a signature double cheeseburger for those after something simpler, with a plant-based burger alongside it for anyone going meat-free.
Each one is designed to be eaten slowly, ideally with a pint or a glass of red, while the weather does its worst outside.
Best Enjoyed by the Fire
Part of what makes a classic dish feel like a classic is the setting it’s eaten in, and this is where a 500-year-old coaching inn has the edge over most modern pubs. Our bar keeps its period beams and open fireplace lit through the winter months, so there’s always a warm corner to settle into — whether you’re in for a quick lunch out of the cold or a long, unhurried dinner with friends.
And yes, dogs are welcome by the fire too — a bowl of water and a treat is never far away.
Finish with Something Sweet
No proper pub classics menu is complete without pudding, and ours leans just as hard into comfort as the mains do. Expect the likes of sticky toffee pudding drenched in toffee sauce, and other home-made puddings that change with the season – exactly the kind of finish a cold evening calls for.
Handy for Anyone Near Petworth, Midhurst & the South Downs
We’re a short drive from Petworth and Midhurst, and a popular stop for walkers coming off the South Downs looking for something hearty to end the day on. Whether you’re local, visiting the area, or just after a proper pub lunch that doesn’t take itself too seriously, our Classics menu is there whenever the weather turns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a Classics dish with dietary requirements in mind? Yes – we cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and other dietary needs across the menu, including our Classics section. Just let your server know when you order.
Do I need to book a table? Booking is recommended, especially at weekends, though walk-ins are always welcome if we have space. You can book a table directly through our website or by phone.
Are dogs allowed inside? Yes – we’re a dog-friendly pub year-round, including in the bar area by the fire.
What days are you open? We’re open Thursday to Sunday. Check our website for current opening times before you visit.
