The Swan Inn reopens following refurb

The historic 14th Century coaching inn, The Swan Inn Fittleworth, has officially reopened following a transformation of the bedrooms, pub and dining.

The local pub, originally established in 1536, has undergone a transformation under Angus Davies, previously of Chez Bruce, Lorne, Sorrel, and his solo venture, the Bib Gourmand-awarded The Hollist Arms. 

The Swan Inn is now home to a pub bar, a 46-cover dining room, a barn that’s been restored for breakfast and private dining, and 12 ensuite bedrooms. Ten rooms are in the main building and two in the converted pre-Victorian stable block, home to the family and dog friendly bedrooms, each with enclosed private gardens.

The building has a cultured history, having previously served as a favoured temporary residence for royal courtiers on their way to London and some of Britain’s best artists and writers such as J.M.W Turner, John Constable and Rudyard Kipling, all taking inspiration from the village’s rural beauty. 

The menu will showcase country cooking at its best with seasonal dishes and classics executed with a focus on flavour and substance. 

Menu items include lighter bites of Spenwood gougères, devilled kidneys on toast, artichokes with aioli and sage as well as a cheeseburger. Larger dishes include Suet crust South Downs venison and bacon pie, and wild mushroom, celeriac and ricotta cannelloni. There will also be sharing plates such as a whole shoulder of South Downs lamb, Huntsman 

Pond pudding with Jersey cream for two to share, choux bun with honeycombe parfait, Bramley apple sorbet and profiteroles. A feasting menu for parties of 12-24 will also be available in The Barn.

Local beers from Burning Sky Brewery and Harvey’s will be on tap, tipples of artisan cider from Two Orchards and the house pour will be English Sparkling Wine and Kinsbrook. The wine cellar has been filled with over 150 bottles of wine and there will be a selection of eaux de vie, including Capreolus Distillery. The pub will also be well stocked with no/low drinks, with Lucky Saint on draught and a selection of non-alc spirits.

Davies said of the opening: “We’re so excited the doors to The Swan Inn are open once again. The restoration has been an incredible project for us, and it’s been the most wonderful first week, seeing the pub full once more with locals. We wanted to bring back the feeling of this pub being a proper hub for the village; reliable, familiar and unfussy. 

“We are not a gastropub by any means; our intentions are to offer consistently good food, great drinks and well-appointed rooms, in hopefully, a very well-loved setting.”