Pub of the Week: The Red Lion, Haywards Heath

Posted: 19th January 2016

The Red Lion at Chelwood Gate, near Haywards Heath is an attractive 19th Century pub situated close to the beautiful Ashdown Forest. The pub is popular with dog walkers, ramblers and families enjoying a day in the countryside, and is the ideal destination for a pub lunch after a bracing winter walk.

To the exterior, the pub has a pretty country pub frontage, with ample parking. Inside, the pub is bright and spacious, with plenty of seating and dining space, and an open fire to warm up by. To the rear, there is an extensive garden to enjoy on warmer days, complete with play equipment for the children.

The Red Lion Chelwood Gate Interior

The Red Lion Chelwood Gate Beer Garden

The Red Lion Chelwood Gate Exterior

The Red Lion is increasingly becoming known for its excellent food. Served daily until mid-evening, the menu offers a mouth-watering selection of traditional pub food and other imaginative choices, all freshly prepared with local and seasonal ingredients wherever possible. With ‘while you wait’ nibbles such as Crispy Salted Ox Tongue, followed by Whiskey Oak Home-Smoked Salmon or a Peppered Goat’s Cheese to start, and with main dishes including Pie & Mash, Fishcakes and Steak Burgers, and specials of Partridge with Duck Hash, there is something to tempt everyone. Save room for dessert if you can – you will definitely want one. Serving times and menus can be found here.

On a Sunday, you can enjoy a delicious, home-cooked Sunday Lunch along with some relaxed live music from 2.30pm. Booking is recommended. There is also a fortnightly quiz on a Wednesday – register your team by 7.30pm for an 8pm start, and more live music on Friday evenings from 7.30pm. Coming up next month, why not treat your loved one to a delicious Valentine’s meal, with their fixed price three course dinner?

The Red Lion sits on the edge of Ashdown Forest and is close to the Bluebell Railway, Ashdown Forest Llama Park and National Trust owned Sheffield Park and Garden – any of which could combine with a visit to The Red Lion to form a great winter day out.

If you are looking for a venue, the pub has various areas and extensive menus available for all types of parties, dinners, buffets and meetings. For the summer months, a marquee is available to cater for weddings and large occasions.

To find out more, visit the pub’s website, find them on Facebook, or give the team a call on 01825 740 836.