The Ultimate West Sussex Pub Road Trip with Jodie Kidd
British supermodel-turned-landlady Jodie Kidd has a deep affinity for the rural charms, fiercely local spirit, and bucolic beauty of West Sussex. The racing driver and self-confessed petrolhead (known for completing one of the fastest celebrity laps on the TV motor show Top Gear) grew up in this part of England and now co-owns a pub, The Half Moon in Kirdford, near Billingshurst. Here, she taps into the region’s burgeoning wine scene, seasonal food, and just-caught fish from the coast through local suppliers. We caught up with Jodie, fresh from a children’s school-meal-delivery mission – ‘that’s what happens in lockdown; you become entrepreneurs’ – for her insider knowledge on how best to combine a West Sussex road trip with its finest pubs and, of course, the driving.
Top Pubs to Include on Your West Sussex Road Trip
‘I’m going to have to be exceedingly biased and say I’d stick mostly to West Sussex, because there’s something so beautiful about the South Downs. They’re also accessible from London and the airports, and there are classic things to do, like going to Goodwood or Sandown, or visiting Brighton or other places on the coast. It’s got so many things happening the whole time. Many people think you have to go into Devon to get those tiny twisty lanes and beautiful rolling hills, yet you can get that here, so close to London.’
The Hand and Flowers, Marlow
‘This is not in West Sussex, but it’s not a million miles away. It’s a good place to start and is one of my favourite pubs. This is Tom Kerridge’s place, and it showcases what a pub can really be when you’ve got a chef like Tom running it or cooking in it. Not only is Marlow exceptionally beautiful, but the food is extraordinarily brilliant. It’s obviously got its two Michelin stars, but it’s also got amazing rooms that you can rent – they’re dotted all around Marlow, and Tom’s done them up beautifully. This is a lovely place to start with an overnighter.
It is so seasonal that every time I go back it changes so much. However, one detail I love is that it all starts with looking at the menu over a glass of prosecco with this smart rendition of a prawn cracker (melt-in-the-mouth stuff), whetting your appetite for an emotional two-hour food extravaganza journey for your taste buds. Moreover, I highly recommend diving into the biodynamic wine list, which is truly sensational.’
