Amberley Black Horse in Horsham

After an extensive search for a suitable place to celebrate my partner's 70th birthday celebrations I settled on The Black Horse in Amberley. I wasn't disappointed this stunning pub with rooms above has been elegantly restored to beyond it's former glory by Emma and her Husband. We received a warm welcome and nothing was too much trouble, the breakfast and drinks were really good. It's situated in the heart of one of West Sussex's most beautiful villages and popular with walkers. We'll definitely be returning.

Outstanding Sunday lunch, you surpassed yourselves today. As always, great service, beautiful food.

Booked dinner for a special occasion. Table we booked was lovely, by the fire (as politely requested in booking). Got moved after 10 minutes as a ‘dog friendly’ booking has superseded our booking, apparently. Very disappointing from that moment onwards - staff defensive and rude about the fact they moved us; we did not expect a freebie/ money off, just a genuine acknowledgment that they had messed up. Food was good but staff/management attitude was really disappointing and kind of ruined the night. Three different staff members came to tell us “you’ll get nothing of the bill, there was nothing wrong with the food”. We were not disputing that, just would have been nice to have met a a manger who accepted a genuine mistake and made a goodwill gesture. Left in tears.

Luxury dining at the end of a great circular hike around Amberley

I had an amazing stay at the Black Horse recently. Great people, tasty food and cosy rooms.

Really enjoyed our visit great food great staff ,seriously feel that two of your reviewers had obviously visited a different pub!

Stopped off on a busy Sunday lunchtime and although two large parties were due to arrive , the manager found us a table in the restaurant. The staff were friendly and courteous, and the food excellent. Have to say the steak and mushroom pie was delicious. I would say prices are slightly higher than average, but comparable to other ‘gastro ‘pubs in the area. Gorgeous pub inside , dog friendly and situated in a beautiful village. Really enjoyed the experience.

Love it. Beautiful village. Great pub, most dog friendly place and people we've ever been to. Nice room. If you're tall it's an adventure. Very friendly staff.

We really loved this place after traveling through many places in Sussex and Kent and London. It's recently updated and looks beautiful inside and out. The room was up to date and comfortable, and the food in the pub was fantastic. We had the risotto and the meat pie with the house salad and crumble and chocolate cake for dessert and all was delicious. Staff and management were helpful and kind and I just wish we could have stayed longer.

Food fine but dining room difficult to access by those with limited mobility and 12.5% 'staff gratuity' added to final bill without prior notice when paying by card

Fantastic Pub in one of the most picturesque villages in Sussex. Fantastic service and a menu overflowing with exceptional specials, making any choice agonising. Settled on a rib of beef Sunday roast and wasn’t disappointed. Great wine list to boot.

Great place to go for a meal👍..only down was asked for English mustard but was forgotten???? Asked again and got only a tea spoon sizes portion in a ramekin????lots of steak but no mustard ??? ¹... .place has a lovely atmosphere too it and look great inside....busy! Book your table 👍🙂

We came in for dinner Monday night without a reservation and were told to take a seat in the bar area as they prepared a table for us. The barman was very friendly and welcoming. When we were eventually sat the food was amazing and service quick even with a busy restaurant. I had the chicken which was to die for and everyone was very happy with there own meals we had no room for dessert but if it’s like the rest of the meals we will definitely be coming back for some.

We have been to this pub about 6 times. The first time was quite lovely, since then the service has been appalling. Every time you walk in there you feel as if you are inconveniencing the staff, they are incredibly unwelcoming. The manager is so pompous. We kept going back as it was conveniently located and the food is quite nice. We kept hoping for a better experience but today was the last straw for us, they are rude, smug, and just generally not nice in there. So we left and went to the Sportsman’s Inn up the road instead and it was simply wonderful, the staff are amazing, the food delicious, we loved it and left a big tip. We will not be back to The Black Horse again and we will be telling all our friends and family to avoid it too!!!

This was honestly the best Sunday lunch we have ever had (that we didn't cook ourselves!) The staff were extremely attentive, and the food: Stunning rib of beef, cooked to a perfect medium rare. So much choice of veg, all done perfectly. And everything washed down with lovely Amberley Ale. True 5* experience. We will be back.

Just home after our second stay. The staff are lovely, food is yum and surrounding countryside is gorgeous. Am sure we’ll return next year.

Everything you’d want for a traditional English Sunday roast. Fantastic food, venue and staff. Location amazing too

Thursday lunchtime, the place was empty and remained so for the 2.5 hours we were there. But the staff wanted us to sit on the smallest, worst located table insisting they needed to keep the 50 better tables free incase people turned up! With a lot of resistance she agreed to a decent table. When will the service industry realise its the customers present that are important, not ones that might turn up? The food was good and it's an attractive pub so 2 stars, but the attitude of staff means we won't be returning.

We actually ate here twice yesterday - snacky lunch in the bar and then a bit more in the evening! Every time we’ve eaten here over the past few years we’ve had a great experience and it’s become a firm favourite. Food is very good - heartily recommend the ‘nibbles’ which are quite substantial and they usually have a good main course fish option too - and delicious puds. Many ingredients are locally sourced which is a bonus. Atmosphere is relaxed but with good attention to detail and service is great (always with a smile). We’ll be back again soon!

Lovely food and country atmosphere

The staff is not very nice and welcoming, the atmosphere seemed very tense. We decided to go somewhere else

We had lunch here on our holiday. Such a lovely place. Breathtaking views of the Cotswolds. Nice atmosphere and the food is top notch (especially the chips).

Lovely setting and lovely building. Food was pretty good but pricey (had roast beef - cut of beef wasn’t as good as would be expected for price) Service was however appalling. Slightly overly smug owner/manager initially and then all the service staff were similar (girls possibly all under 20) and lots of them but not really doing their jobs well, too many standing around sipping on drinks and just generally quite slow to bring things (drinks, take orders, even to find the card machine at the end). Tip was already included in the bill, remove that and then assess if as many tips are given then train the staff…. Great venue but experience ruined by poor service. (see also other recent one star reviews at the same venue by others)

Stayed here with my family for my wedding weekend. Really lovely rooms, servers were lovely, but there was a bit of miscommunication about checking in and out when we initially booked, so maybe check this if you need an unusual check in time (I would also recommend checking this information closer to the booking or getting it in writing). This was resolved but a bit of a wedding stress the week of the wedding for me. Staff really went out of their way to accommodate us which I was grateful for. Breakfast was good according to my family.

Give this place a wide berth. I notice on here they make no attempt to placate people who've had bad experiences. Four us arrived around 1.30pm on bank holiday Monday to see if we could have a late lunch. We were shown to a crowded dining room that was noisy and hot. Elsewhere there were empty tables in the bar area and a second dining room that was empty. Our request to sit elsewhere was begrudgingly accepted. The table we pointed to was 'for people with dogs' so we were shown to the empty dining room. It took at least half an hour and an attempt to buy drinks from the bar (refused) before our drinks order was taken. Another 10-15 mins before the drinks arrived. For an August Bank Holiday Monday the place was not overly busy. When the drinks arrived we asked if we could order our food. No, that was someone else's job who'd be along soon. Soon turned out to be another half an hour. Waiting for our food order for another half an hour we were on the verge of leaving when it eventually arrived. I don't eat big meals at lunchtime so I had ordered the roast tomato and pepper soup with bread. The soup was ordinary and the piece of bread so small I could have eaten it whole without it touching the sides of my throat. Overall all of the food was at best ordinary, at worst poor. Someone wrote on here that the culinary ambition is way ahead of the culinary competence. That nails it for me, and then add in the appalling customer service. As though we were non people just because we asked to sit somewhere different to where they wanted us. Food overpriced too. Pretentious. Stay away.

First time visit. After paying 15.55 for a beer and medium wine we sat opposite the bar. The bar man continuously picked a spot on his arm and at one point used the knife on it, which was used to cut fruit after. He also picked at his nose when not serving. I must say I have never seen anything like this and it totally put us off our drinks. We left after one and will not return. If someone from health and safety was there they would have a field day. We love to visit village pubs and this one has been let down by one person!

We stopped for an impromptu dinner on Sunday. We had a delicious rib of beef roast meal with a lovely selection of various vegetables. We decided to have a pudding as they looked nice and we weren't disappointed. We were looked after very well by the staff. We look forward to visiting again.

Exceptional venue with pleasant and highly trained staff (a rarety). Beautiful surroundings in a truly idyllic setting. Can't wait.to repeat the experience.

Lovely place to stay, eat and drink in a picture postcard perfect village setting.

I cannot say how GREAT THIS PUB IS. The food by Tom leading the chef’s is outstanding. And Hayley running front of house is superb so organised nothing is ever a problem. Thank you so much for making our evening so special.❤️

Myself and my partner had lunch today. I chose the special starter of the day..poached egg truffle hollandaise grilled asparagus….it was amazing. Then followed by special of the day pork. Unbelievable lunch. We live in the village and go there as a treat. Well worth every hard earned penny. I voted for you and I’m so glad you won. Well done to all the team at the Black Horse. Especially Tom the Head Chef .x

Just came to Amberley out of the blue and what a little find, only had the one drink but plan on coming back for some food

In my opinion the best food pub in the West Sussex area currently. Excellent service, food very well done and the garden and interior decor are exceptional

Having heard about this gastro pub and staying in Arundel for a few days, we were quite keen to get some lunch here. We got the Sunday roast - beef was rare and cut in big chunks, couldn't even cut it. Had to send it back. The Yorkshire pudding was burnt. Prices are extortionate and added a 12.5 ''discretionary'' service charge, which made you feel bad if you were to choose to opt out. The service was poor, owner seemed to have hired mostly young girls, who didn't know much about anything. Waiting times are terrible. Outside table cramped into each other, can't have a conversation. Deserts are common, nothing special. Paid over £110 for some Sunday lunch with some desert, wine and beer. Will never go there again. Seemed pretentious and misleading.

Had Sunday roast which was basically rare. Waited forever to be served, service very slow and unprofessional. Overpriced and pretentious! Will never come back!

We have recently returned from an overnight stay at the Black Horse and already want to book a return trip. The whole experience felt like such a special treat and we cannot thank the staff enough for making our stay so enjoyable! Our room was perfect - it had a cosy, country feel yet felt clean and modern. The real star of the show is the restaurant; we shared some delicious dishes and both agreed that the steak was the some of the best we have ever had. The service was attentive yet friendly and relaxed, and we did not feel rushed or under pressure at any point (and we certainly took our time!). We also asked to move our dinner reservation back by an hour so that we could enjoy some drinks in the beer garden and the staff were more than happy to accommodate our request. Breakfast service was also faultless and, especially given that we came at a busy time when all rooms were booked, cooked to perfection. We only wish that we could have stayed a little bit longer, but we will be back!

Barely any signal on my phone in that location, but staff was absolutely fantastic. Friendly, accommodating, and helpful. Beautiful place to rest and relax in!

All I am going to say is Johnnies Special Pies, if you are going to the pub and you are going to eat, have a pie, they are what a pie should be, lovely chunks of meat, properly filled, served with veg, mash and gravy. Hong Kong Johnny is a great host. Great location, great outside space and great staff, relax and let people eat outside. 08/07/2024 - went for lunch today, The Pies are still great, but I chose to have Fish and Chips today, the fish was lovely, the mushy peas spent a little too long on the pass and had a crust, and most disappointing were the chips, they were not chips , they were wedges of potato with skin on, I did tell the waitress and she insisted on bring me a new batch, which were exactly the same. If I wanted fish and wedges I would have asked for that, but I wanted chips, crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, just normal chips. Come on Hong Kong Johnnie, the team can do better, after paying the bill , nobody asked how my meal was, did I enjoy it? Was I coming back soon.? Please don't lose it, the Black Horse was one of the last good pubs in the area.

We stumbled on this place last week as it’s the only pub open on a Monday. A less than gracious welcome followed by a chap with a clipboard staring vacantly at an empty restaurant deigning to find us a table. After about 10 minutes we were seated , and then ignored for a further 10 minutes. At this point some random German lady was seated at our table as well??!!!! Our drinks eventually arrived and our food order taken. During this period of time the German lady had ordered, been fed, and started chatting to us whilst we were eating. Our croquettes were nice, our mains were average at best, im assuming my gravy had evaporated in the period of time it took my food to arrive. How 3 grown adults can make serving 9 tables seem so stressful amazes me, especially when they happily tell you about it. If you do go , take a measure with you as I’m fairly sure my glasses of wine were way undersized. The highlight being that for 1 starter, 2 average mains, 2 small glasses of wine and a beer, we were charged £85.00! The 12.5% service charge is also added on without consent. Overall, bloody awful, either cook for yourself , eat at the cafe in Amberley , or wait until Tuesday and go to the George. On leaving an hour later, there were still only 9 tables and the service was still awful.

I have visited before just for a drink and always found the pub warm and friendly. We decided to take the plunge and book for dinner - was better than expected - it was Fathers Day and we could only get a table for late afternoon / was 100% worth it We had a couple of drinks in the bar area whilst waiting for our table - we were concerned as heard another customer saying they had been waiting nearly 2 hrs for their main course - to hear the same bar man who had been not very friendly or helpful to us - what do you want me to do about it ! This got us worried as it was very busy and seen the wait staff were really rushed off their feet. But glad we waited - the Sunday lunch was fabulous/ everything cooked exactly to our liking - then the crumble desert - well this was the best crumble I have had So from our initial unease whilst waiting at the bar mainly due to one of the bar staffs un-friendliness - it turned out fantastic It was very very busy and the wait staff serving the food where run off their feet but still service with a smile - 10/10 for the wait staff, chef and kitchen staff Would highly recommend and will definitely return for dinner

Scot the barman was very patronising and as it was our first visit to the pub it will be our last. They need to change their bar staff as he is the first image you get so not right for front of house.

Lovely lunch, beautiful pub in splendid setting. Staff fantastic - bright, responsive helpful, knowledgeable and welcoming. Will aim to return.

Good pub in a beautiful village. Had Sunday lunch there. Good well cooked and presented food. They don't stint the portions. Good service.

The Sunday roast at Amberley Black Horse Pub is always exceptional! From the moment you walk in, the cosy ambiance and inviting aroma set the stage for an exceptional meal. The roast itself was perfection – tender beef, fluffy Yorkshire pudding, and flavorful vegetables. The attention to detail and quality ingredients were evident throughout. I highly recommend a visit!

Amazing food and friendly staff !

Great service and amazing food. Can’t wait to go back.

Delightful venue, lovely staff, delicious food, what more is there to say!

Our second visit to the Black Horse, this time with friends visiting from the continent and making a party of eight. Excellent service and superb food, our selections ranging from scallops, risotto, steak, fish, pie and duck, through to a variety of lovely desserts. Casual dining in a relaxed atmosphere, superb food, friendly and efficient service - add some good friends and it's absolutely a "best of times" experience.

Its hard to park but a beautiful pub with open fires

our favourite pub to go to, always a friendly reception with a large wine list and two open fires, perfect for winter

There is no car park and the small narrow local road was crammed with cars. When my wife parked opposite the pub there were no yellow lines or restrictions, the owner who has decided that he decides and not the law where you are allowed to park on an unrestricted public road, very off. He made her move her car. This alone would put me off coming here , however in addition.. Our room was really hot at 23.5° the shower water was not hot which really is a basic requirement. There were no drawers or space to put clothes, and just a few hangers on the wall. Our room was right on road so people walking by could look in. I was told there was no breakfast available before 9am which as I was walking the south downs way was very inconvenient especially as this was included in the room rate and by the time I was notified it was too late to cancel as the cancellation policy was the worst of all the other hotels I had booked along the route. The owners told me they have difficulty getting staff and were worried that their staff woukd walk out if they were asked to come in to prepare breakfast from 8.00am. The worst aspect of this pub with rooms is not the restaurant or rooms which could with a few tweaks be improved but the owners attitude to customers. They clearly have not heard of "the customer is always right" or " give the customer what they want" In my view this was the worst place I have stayed in the last 25 years, and I will definitely avoid it in future...

Food and service exceptional - it's really a gastro pub. Restaurant well set up. 3 stars for location is only due to very restricted parking but the food is worth the parking hassle.

Had lunch before visiting Amberley Museum. Great value and good quality.

Absolutely outstanding lunch!! We booked a table for 6 (4 adults and 2 children, plus 2 dogs) for last Saturday and had the most amazing experience from start to finish. We were sat in the snug as we had the dogs but the fire was roaring and it felt lovely and cosy. We struggled to pick from the menu as everything sounded delicious. The food arrived in good time and was all fantastic. The children's food was a good sized portion and all cooked fresh. The service was great, the waitress was attentive and chatty. The building is beautiful inside and out and we will certainly be coming back again soon.

Pleasant country pub, comfortable but in my opinion expensive and disappointing. I had the “pie of the moment” which was very basic. My other half had a superfood salad with smoked trout and was happy with it, but for the price I would have expected something much more sophisticated in both cases.

Cozy! Lovely staff! 1st class roast and the fish special was skate!

Nice food, really lovely and homely inside. Great for a cold autumn/winter day

Food was outstanding, really outstanding. Staff very helpful and friendly. Enjoyable stay.

I was trying to book a table for lunch for a group of 10-12 after a walk. I went in at about 2.15 to book and see the menu. I was told rather bruskly that they had finished serving but I asked for the menu anyway and was left in the bar. I waited for someone to come back and then left. So instead I rang them to see if they could accommodate us at 1.00 and was told yes of course but couldn’t book it until I had exact numbers and there was no possibility of a provisional booking. I rang back 2 days later when I had ascertained exact number and was told I had to pay £10 per head ‘deposit’ for my group of 12, they could only accommodate us at 1.30, and they wanted menu choices. I baulked at this as I had not been told this when I rang the first time and asked - what if someone only had soup and it didn’t come to as much as £10. I then went back to the group and asked them to transfer £10 to my account and menu choices. Unfortunately- or fortunately my photo of the menu wasn’t clear so I went on the website to find the menu and found that they required a minimum of 2 courses for lunch! Why hadn’t any of them told me this before? I rang them back yet again and said surely this wasn’t a requirement for a Tuesday lunchtime? Yes it was - so I canned it and went somewhere else. Thank goodness - no ‘deposit’ ,no menu choices, and I could book the table for exactly the time I wanted. I think they will have lost a lot from this fiasco as we are all local, and won’t entertain going there again and word will get round.

Was a beautiful spot to stay, the staff are all super friendly and accommodating. The dinner and breakfast we had were both delicious. The room had a fantastic charm to it whilst still having all the modern luxuries the only downside was the shower had no base/partition in it so the water just leaked across the entire bathroom floor and into the edge of the carpet of the room but we notified the staff and the said they would look into it and apologized for any inconvenience. The only downside on the service was on the morning of our departure we arrived at breakfast 10min early of our booking time which seem to annoy the staff member handling breakfast alot more than one would expect. We politely apologised and returned 10 minutes later to find 4 other couples seated with drinks and one table even had food which led us to believe these tables would have had to have also arrived earlier than the booking time so abit strange than they where allowed to sit and we where not. This then meant we where the last to receive our meals and we waited a fair while for the rest of the tables to receive their meals. Other than the "odd" experience at breakfast the Amberly black horse was a wonderful place to stay and the village was picturesque and a fun place to go for a walk and do some exploring highly recommend!

This one time jewel in the south downs crown has allowed its crown to slip. 2 out of the 4 dishes we had were sub standard and the waiting staff we so inattentive that for the first time in years we didn’t leave a tip. Very sad to see this pub go so down hill.

Had a lovely nights stay here after completing a leg of the south downs way. Staff very welcoming, room beautiful and the restaurant food is delicious. Some lovely savory tarts for sale at the bar and a Special shout out to who ever makes the scotch eggs ....divine and a runny yolk!!! I'll be back for more!

I'm glad we booked before reading the somewhat mixed reviews. We were warmly welcomed and shown to our table. The restaurant was very clean and has a traditional decor. We were well looked after and were not rushed into ordering (we did take our time ordering!). The menu was good, but could have a little more choice. The food was tasty and good sized portions. The specials board was not extensive. We did not have to wait too long for our food. The price was OK (£40 a head (3 people) - main, pudding, 2 soft drinks and a large glass of white wine (the wine list was ok). I would book again and would recommend this to others. If you want a walk before or after, Amberley is just the place. Beautiful village right on the South Downs.

I think the very mixed views are a fair reflection as our experience was very mixed. We walked in for lunch and despite lots of staff around and lots of empty tables it took them a long time to get us a table, in part due to them not using all areas. The wait for a table was longer than suggested with limited comfortable waiting space with our drinks as they have gone for a trendy look with form over function. They very clearly prioritised those with pre-bookings, as we were only seated and served after some late bookings arrived for their tables and had their orders taken first. Our food was very good though, once we were eventually able to order it was then served with further delay. A shame really as overall it just all felt a bit careless as the village itself is so popular and pretty they can get away with it.

Lovely menu options and a perfect setting for lunch. We had a two-course lunch and it was delicious, beautiful mushroom and truffle soup and the roasted half chicken was yummy !! Highly recommended.

Overpriced and poor quality food. Inattentive, uninterested staff. The Bridge Inn just a short walk away is much better.

Cajun burger was amazing, lovely setting. Was pricey though

An excellent lunch. Good service, food and beer 🍺 at a good price. Nice old building, well-maintained and a good atmosphere. So good in fact we are going again tomorrow.

Poor service , inflated prices Had to call waitress over to order and to get drinks . Lots staff milling about the computer table but not noticing what was going on in dining room,. Long wait to get nibbles. We were told the specials but not the prices , nothing on a blackboard or menu. Food nice . But shocking to found my dover some was £45 without being told the price in advance. £10 for a glass of white wine was a bit steep. Won’t come again.

I read the reviews on this place prior to visiting, I thought I'd make my own mind up as they seemed a bit mixed. This place is small and beautiful. I think some reviewers think this is a city based 5* hotel where you click your fingers and you get what you want. It's not, so if you want that, don't go. What it is, is a very honest place. The staff, the food, the rooms....and what is better than honesty?! The room was impeccably well presented. Tidy, clean, comfortable, comfy bed....couldn't fault it. The food was amazing. All of it (I did give feedback to the chef, who whilst obviously disagreed with my critique, took it well) I thoroughly enjoyed it all. The staff were local characters whom I got on with well. They ranged from the no nonsense to the obviously wanted to please. Just genuine folk who were obviously hard working and proud of where they worked (including the cleaning staff who were lovely). The property itself is absolutely amazing. Classy without being pretentious. It's apparent that a lot of thought and expense has gone into the place and I loved it. The place is BUSY. That speaks for itself. They were turning people away every night. It could be construed that this place is a bit regimented, but I firmly believe that a small business like this just wants to offer the best they can with the resources they have. The staff all work hard and can't simply bend to some people's demands. They run it how they want to and its apparent that it works! I loved it and will definitely be back (if they have any room!). thanks all at The Black Horse. Paul & Blue (The Border Terrier)

We were very disappointed to turn up on a sunny day and not be allowed to eat outside. The website states that the terrace and garden are always open for eating and drinking 'come rain or shine' but this was just not the case. It also says it is a dog friendly pub and to make the pub aware so a table could be allocated in the garden room as dogs are not allowed in the restaurant. Therefore, when making the reservation, I stated that we wished to eat outside, and were bringing a dog. None of the staff seemed to have read this. We turned up on time, and were told we could not eat outside. Both the restaurant and the garden were empty. We explained several times that we had specifically booked to eat outside and as it was a very sunny day and still wanted to do this but this were refused as the decision had been made to dine inside that day as it was 'chilly.' It wasn't, and this is contrary to the claim that you can eat outside come rain or shine. Also, given that I had specifically asked for this, and they had my contact details, why was I not contacted and advised of this? We decided to leave due to this misinformation and the unhelpful attitude of the staff. We had not been to Amberley before and were struggling to find options but fortunately found a local pub called the Bridge Inn which was packed and buzzing. Staff could not have been more helpful, opened the beer garden for us and made sure we did not have a wasted journey to Amberley. If we had been able to do as the website said and eaten outside on one of the few sunny days of the year, no doubt it would have been a good experience, as the garden is beautiful, and we would have returned. As it is, we won't be returning. ​

This is a love pub and restaurant. Good service is great value for money , food was superb . Dog friendly, would recommend booking

Gastropub with rooms, we stayed overnight after a hard walk on the South Downs Way. Having an injury I couldn't walk any further so arrived early by taxi, I was not allowed a slightly early check in, they blamed housekeeping but there was no evidence that housekeeping were still working at 2:15pm when I arrived. We had dinner which was nice enough but no better than anywhere else we had stayed during our trip. Breakfast is not included in the room price and is served from 9am - for walkers and workers this is too late, we asked if we could have it a bit earlier but were told a very abrupt "No" and being told that the Chef works late in the evening and needs a break, we asked if something could be left out for us - again No was the reply. I queried what do working people do - the response was "well they don't have breakfast" So we didn't have breakfast as it was too late. I very much got the impression that the establishment was run for the benefit of the Chef and management rather than their guests, very much felt like they thought they were better than they actually were. This said the room was comfortable, there was a very good fan as it was really hot weather. The bathroom was clean and worked well but was really really small. All in all a middling experience.

This has been my unofficial spot for my birthday 2 years in a row. It’s always the best day - I can’t fault the staff, food or atmosphere. You’re made to feel so welcome the second you walk through the door, and the garden just makes you wish you lived closer. Gorgeous views of the downs, with perfect quietness. The food is beyond what you could hope for, I love how there’s chefs in whites on the pass, who’re having a laugh & a joke, but clearly so passionate about the food they deliver. This is truly a diamond in the South Downs! The local aspect is what makes this so great - I love Sussex food, but this is truly a love story with every menu I’ve experienced. I will always the recommend and come back.

The Black Horse in Amberley has unfortunately made a series of terrible managerial decisions that should serve as a warning to anyone considering bringing a group to their establishment. In our experience, this venue has proven to be unreliable and inconsiderate, especially when it comes to accommodating group bookings. Our hiking group, which focuses on providing outdoor experiences for LGBTQ+ individuals to enhance their mental and physical well-being, visited the Black Horse Amberley a few months ago. We were left with no choice but to choose this venue, as there are disappointingly few options for dining and drinking in Amberley on a Sunday after 5pm. Initially, we were required to pre-book all our meals, which is a reasonable request, and were asked for a deposit of £10 per person. Given that our group relies heavily on the dedication of volunteers and operates on a tight budget, I explained that none of our volunteers could afford to put down such a deposit on their personal cards. However, we were more than willing to commit to paying for any meals that weren't consumed if a member failed to show up. Thankfully, at that time, the manager was understanding and agreed to our terms. Although we had a satisfactory meal during that visit, we were instructed to remain outside throughout our stay, which was not ideal but acceptable. Fast forward to this week when we attempted to book again. We agreed on a booking for 25 of our members for both food and drinks on a Thursday. Preordering was once again a requirement, and this time, they demanded a whopping £250 as a deposit. I explained the same financial constraints as before, and a kind and apologetic staff member, seemingly powerless, accepted our booking under the condition that every member must order at least two meals, and anyone who didn't show up would have to pay for their pre-booked meal. We were also informed that we could only order from a reduced menu (which was fine), and the menu would only be sent to us the following day (the same day the preorders also needed to be collected and sent to Black Horse), necessitating an extraordinarily difficult timeframe. We reluctantly agreed to all of these conditions, and our members were looking forward to returning. However, the very next day, we received a call stating that the Amberley Black Horse now insisted on the deposit due to company policy, despite their agreement just the day before. This sudden change in stance was extremely frustrating, as we lack the means to use a company credit card or collect deposits from our members within such a short timeframe. I attempted to explain how these restrictions would be prohibitive and how much effort our community-based group had put into patronising this venue. Unfortunately, it seemed that the venue's management had shifted its position overnight, leaving the poor staff member caught in the middle. Regrettably, our LGBTQ+ Hiking Group has decided never to return to this venue. Their greed, audacity, and lack of trustworthiness have left a lasting negative impression on us. Their ever-changing policies, poor communication, and "money first" attitude should serve as a cautionary tale for anyone seeking a reliable venue for a large group. The only silver lining we can find in these regrettable managerial decisions is that the Black Horse Amberley can apparently afford to lose over £1000 worth of food sales on a Sunday evening, along with whatever drinks we would have purchased. This unfortunate experience has taught us a valuable lesson in choosing venues that prioritise their customers' needs and maintain consistent policies and communication.

I was treated to a special weekend stay at the Black Horse Pub by one of my dear friends for a milestone birthday celebration. What a lovely village pub. It's just stunning. Amberley is a chocolate box village with a castle and church, and the pub is situated in the centre. I checked in at 4pm on arrival Friday. Welcomed instantly by staff and shown around. I stayed in George Filby room, downstairs at the front. Spotlessly clean, quiet, stylish, very comfortable bed, tea/coffee/bottled water, fan, smart ensuite. Perfect for a weekend stay. Breakfast was very nice! Proper decent breakfast! I had scrambled eggs on toast, plus the homemade granola and fruit yoghurt. Can't fault the food at all. Price range up to £20. Very reasonable. The pub is wooden beams, with candles, flowers and fire. Stylish yet quaint. In keeping with Amberley. There is a great terrace with seating in the sunshine. Saturday was party night. Chef Tom and his team did an absolutely amazing job of delivering such a fabulous dinner of three courses of just exquisite food to 60 guests. Brilliant! The room was dressed so well, too. It was an amazing evening, and the staff remained so attentive to all guests until the early hours. I highly recommend The Black Horse if you are visiting Amberley. Thankyou for a great stay.

Great food from a classic gastropun menu Good selection of snack available if you want something lighter. Try the local ales !

We have been coming to the Black Horse, on and off, for many years and, in fact signed the petition years ago to make sure the pub was saved. So pleased that we did ! It really is the most perfect country pub and the...

A great disappointment. Sunday roast Beef and 4 of us felt that we had been misled over the quality. There was more fat than lean, the parnsip was black on one side and as hard as wood, the yorkshire pudding was also inedible; it defeated...

We treated ourselves to dinner, bed & breakfast here while walking the South Downs Way and we absolutely loved the whole experience. Rooms were very comfortable and clean, and the food in both the evening and at breakfast was absolutely excellent. A really memorable evening...

Lovely hotel, room's clean, very comfortable and lovely decor. Staff friendly and helpful. Would have given it a five star BUT MANAGEMENT need to go on a Customer service skills, training course. Aggressive attitude, inflexibility almost to stubbornness. Very disappointing but everything else was lovely....

Problem I think was we were early sunday evening and things were winding down and we had what was left over from the sunday roast. Meat was not the best cut, too rare, tough and only warm. Vegetables were ok but some over cooked from...

Not very welcoming. Walked in was ignored by several waitresses.everyone too busy to worry about customers. Sat up on the terrace Ignored again. Went and asked for a menu at the bar. Went to order at the bar was told that they don’t serve food...

Super lunch out on the terrace. The menu was extensive and we chose the Sea bream with tapenade, roasated tomatoes, chips and salad and my mother had the goats cheese, brocool and i caramelised shallots tarte tatin. Both were delicious. Service was friendly and prompt....

Where do I start? I'm not sure of her name. She was behind the bar yesterday, and we had a complaint (they dont take complaints well) about the food, but she alone will keep me from ever going back. Never have I come across someone...

If you like waiting an kour for really fatty, tough meat and luke warm food.with a stroppy manageress who calls you a thief because you refuse to pay for really poor food then this is the place for you.

Superb meal. Great specials as well as a really lovely selection on the menu. Cannot fault the food or friendly service. We will be back.

I was treated to late Sunday lunch by family for my birthday. What a lovely experience, the food was excellent as was the service. I eat out a lot and this pub restaurant will be one of my favourite venues. There were a number of...

As a solo traveller, I stayed at the Black Horse for a calming get away break to unwind and de-stress. Both the pub itself and my room were beautiful but also impeccably clean with great attention to detail everywhere I looked. The whole ambience from...

From the reviews you can see that this pub is lovely most of the time and I was very pleased that my son booked for me to stay there over Easter. However when I rang to ask if it would be possible to check in...

I’ve been on a mission for a long time to discover the perfect pub Sunday roast. And finally, here in this warm, inviting pub in a beautiful quintessential South Downs village, I just found it!  Genuine compliments to the team for serving up roast beef...

This is a beautiful pub set in a beautiful picture-postcard village. We met two other couples there with our dogs who were welcome in one particular zone of the pub. The menu was extensive and the food was great....their specials on the day were imaginatively...

A warning to fish lovers; don’t order the Dover Sole ‘special’ (at£38) unless you like sushi! It wasn’t enough that it arrived essentially uncooked, but even after sending it back it was returned still uncooked. Bad enough , but the off-hand, arrogant and cavalier attitude...

Another super dinner and desert enjoyed at the Black Horse! This visit was a pre mother's day treat from my son as he knows how much I enjoy visiting this beautiful inn. The decor and ambience warms my heart every time I visit. The food...

A birthday lunch for my wife, this was the first time in the black horse and was very impressed, a very warm welcome on arrival, this is not pub food it’s a whole lot more , the menu is local food and is delicious, I...

Came here recently with my sister for a catch up lunch on a Monday. The pub had a really relaxed and inviting atmosphere. We both had nibbles to share as a stater, followed by the Pork Belly which was divine. Wine list had a great...

This was a return visit after several years our first experience had issues, but they had just re-opened after extensive refurbishment. This time it was excellent. breakfast was well cooked and full of flavour. In the evening we ate in the restaurant the Staff looked...

First time in the black horse and what a surprise, a very warm welcome. This was a birthday lunch for my wife and we were very impressed with the menu , I had mixed meats to start followed by a ribeye steak that was delicious...

Decided to give this pub a go and it did not disappoint. Food choice was great and actual food was absolutely delicious, quality felt like in a Michelin star restaurant. My partner had a Sunday roast and he said it was the best roast he...

We were staying at the Amberley Castle hotel nearby, and decided to eat at the Black Horse one evening. And we enjoyed our meal so much that we went back again two days later. Really interesting menu, food delicious, staff lovely. If we are in...