The Alfold Barn was built around 1590 and has many connections
with the area and Canadian Air Force during the second World War. It
was a tea rooms in the 1940's and was a regular haunt of many airmen.
It used to be known as 'Gibbs Hatch', and became the Barn in the
1970's. The Beams are all Spanish Oak, and are thought to date back to the
Armada.
Ernest Hemmingway visited the barn during the War, and spent many an afternoon enjoying the 'cream teas' at 'Gibbs Hatch' as it was called then.
Things have moved on and the Barn has been under the
watchful eyes of the Maguire family since 2000. Fran, our chef takes
great pride in all our food and will only use the freshest ingredients.
Where possible we aim to use local producers.
Our
butcher, S K Hutchings is in Partridge Green, and he sources all our meats from
the county, which means the meat you eat doesn't get more local. His
sausages are the best around....guaranteed!! Visit his shop, you won't be disappointed.
All our real ales are from Sussex or Surrey, and we try to use as many microbreweries as we can.
We are Camra acredited, 'LOCALE'. (we aim to use breweries within a 25 mile radius)
Fish is a major part of our daily changing menu, Lobsters and
Crab being especially popular with the finer weather. We take regular
visits to Billingsgate Fish Market, and use Network Seafood, from Hove.
So within reason most types of fish
are not a problem to obtain given the right notice.
Meat also accounts for a large chunk of our menu, be it our famous slow
roasted Lamb, our succulent Fillet Steak or Steak and Kidney Pies (not
for the faint hearted).
Don't worry if you are vegetarian, give us an idea of what you like when you book and Fran will do her best to make it for you.
You will be spoilt for choice when it comes to dessert, they are all
home made by Carolyn (a chocoholic in her own right) and Dave.
From rich Chocolate Torte to Bread and Butter Pudding to Eton Mess, you
will be glad you left a 'little' room.
As we are a family run restaurant, we close Sunday evenings and all day Mondays.
When we are open we are always here. No pub chains or managers at the Barn!!
