The Boars Head ... Horsham
Map | Reviews
OS Map : Landranger 187 · Map reference TQ 164 296
Description
The Boars Head is a friendly pub with an elevated position overlooking the south of Horsham. It has an outside patio terrace and a conservatory with views to the Surrey Hills. The flag-stoned bar has a separate restaurant area that leads on to the terrace. There has been a pub here since 1830 [it was originally called the Fox and Hounds] although the building, which used to be a farm, dates back to 1761.
Beers are from Hall and Woodhouse including Fursty Ferret and Tanglefoot. The restaurant can be hired out for weddings and other functions. The pub has live music several nights every week.
How to get there
By car
The pub is in Worthing Road about a mile from Horsham town centre.
Cycling
The shortest route from Horsham is to cycle south on
Worthing Road and the pub is on the right before the A24 Hop Oast roundabout.
Worthing Road can be busy - so use caution when turning
right into the pub.
Suggested cycling routes from here
From the back of the pub, cycle past the pub car park. Follow the road up-hill and then round to the left, under the A24 and past Christ's Hospital entrance on the right. Continue on this road and the Bax Castle is on the left, 2 miles [3.25 km] from the Boars Head.
The Hen and Chicken in Southwater is also near the Boars Head.
Your reviews
Disclaimer: Recent comments have generated a wide range of views on the pub. All reviews and ratings in this website are personal opinions by pub-goers. Horsham Pub Guide publishes comments at our editorial discretion but we are not responsible for comments made.
Mitch says: 
| 26-April-08
When you can walk into a pub as a stranger and leave feeling like a local, the people behind the bar have achieved something unique and wonderful. Could there be a better night out than drinking excellent beer in such welcoming surroundings with superbly professional music backing the enthusiastic giggling of your mates? All of whom can't quite believe such a place exists in dear old Horsham. You can't train atmosphere but this pub has it in bucket loads. Drink there, you'll feel better.
Tony Reid says: | 26-April-08
A shining diamond of a pub. Friendly staff, friendly punters, good beer and some brilliant live music. Add in the fact that there is proper provision for smoking outside and a roaring fire indoors on cold days, and what more can I say? The jazz on a Thursday night is a revelation, especially when old Fred puts in an appearance. Best pub in the district by a distance.
Dean says: | 22 March-08
I just want to say how great the Boars Head pub is. I've been drinking there for a few years now and it's the greatest pub. The food is great and the service is the best I've ever had. I definitely recommend the Boars Head for a works do or just a good night out. The music is also great.
Nicola Gregg says: 
| 12-March-08
I visited the pub with work colleagues last week and couldn't believe that a night-out could be so disappointing. Firstly we ordered Malibu, but there was no Malibu. Then we asked for a St Clements, but no bitter lemon. We ordered four pork only to be told there were only two left, so we ordered two venison instead. The meals arrived an hour later and the venison was so tough it was inedible. The choice of puddings was very limited. The coffee was so weak it needed resuscitating! What an awful meal, awful service, and staff that did not seem to care.
Susie says: | 17-February-08
Have now had two lunches at the Boars Head in as many weeks. What a lovely pub it is. The landlord and staff are so pleasant and welcoming and excellent food too. Gorgeous log fire and a very decent outside smoking area. I can't find fault at all. Looking forward to my next visit.
Maddy Polak says: | 13-February-08
I celebrated my 40th at the Boars Head and the food was fantastic and the staff were wonderful. Everyone from my 80-year old Dad to my 1-year old great nephew had a great time. Thoroughly recommended. A big thank you to David, Laura and Oscar.
Trish Loveland says: | 13-February-08
Two friends, my partner and myself visited this pub which is conveniently placed for meeting up just off the A24. Being a vegetarian, I had very little choice and opted for the veggie roast which consisted of two roasted potatoes with roasted veg, orange mash, and a yorkshire pudding. And not many vegetable at that! Not only was it bland and tasteless, it was also swimming in fat. And they charged £7.50 for it. Our friends had the roast with the meat which was equally fatty but masked by the gravy. Very disappointed and won't be going back.
Guy Stanley says: 
| 20-January-08
Reluctant to add more comments, but I can see why a wide range of views. Certainly a pub of two halves. We arrived as a party of six for dinner, were well received, attentive service, and sat in quiet dining room on a Tuesday evening. The waitress, manager and all staff were very helpful, food choice good and reasonably priced. Lengthy wait [45 minutes] for main courses proved worthwhile, and the steaks particularly were excellent! 28 days-hung and local, they proudly proclaim.
However, a local band struck up later, as the local youth enjoyed some heavy rock. At least the staff were aware and put up a thick curtain! Good guitarist! Worth a return.
Matt says: | 23-October-07
I love this pub! I am originally from Horsham but have groaned about the state of Horsham pubs for years. Finally, we have an alternative to the Black Jug. The Boars Head is laid back with a great vibe. Freshly prepared food and a great atmosphere. It has now become my regular.
Mark Doughton says: | 27-September-07
Only recently started frequenting this establishment but I can safely say that from the word go that I have been made to feel welcome. The beer is superb which is testament to a well-kept cellar. The staff and fellow drinkers have been friendly and the only reason why I have not scored this pub with a 5 is due to the fact that I have yet to sample any fare from the menu.
G Johnson says: | 4-September-07
I recently visited the Boars Head and was hugely disappointed. The meals that we ordered were of poor quality and vegetables were dry and tasteless. On arrival, the bar was reasonably quiet, but several of the bar staff walked past without acknowledging our presence. When we did get served, the guy behind the bar seemed completely disinterested and this followed a similar pattern with our food service.
It is a shame that such a lovely location is let down by this pub. We had stopped on recommendations from friends who had eaten here before. Interesting to read previous comments. We must have come on a bad day by the look of things. Not to worry, we will not be going back.
Michael Erridge says: | 18-August-07
As a concept, I think the Boars Head works very well, combining a classy restaurant with a vibrant pub to great effect. I think that some of the negative comments, where people are choosing to complain about the lack of a uniform for example, are missing the point completely, and have a strange set of priorities when it comes to enjoying a drink out. This speaks volumes for the pub!
Mr D and N Jeffery says: | 9-August-07
We were once regulars but now the pub is full of youngsters, bar staff drinking and not wearing uniforms. There are never any specials and the menu has only a limited choice.
Ed Mayhew says: | 24-July-07
The Boar's Head has benefited greatly from recent changes with a frankly excellent wine list, and a menu, though perhaps not as extensive, that is full of local produce and fresh ingredients. Theme nights are wild and fun, but young and old alike can enjoy without fear of rowdy chavs out for a fight. It is a safe place to have a pint or eight, and you can bet your cotton socks that you will be welcomed with open arms!
Stephen Tavener says: | 16-July-07
Having spent a weekend in Dorset and enjoyed good food, good beer and good service, on our way back to Horsham we called in to the Boars Head for Sunday lunch. Poor food and very bad service to the point of being rude. Unfortunately not for the first time, therefore time to vote with our feet and we will drive straight past in future. Such a shame, so close to the golf course as well.
Steve Dickens says: | 5-July-07
Having visited the Boars Head on various occasions, during the day and in the evening, I found the negative reviews to be far off the mark. The menu, although not as extensive as before, still offers quality and choice and what is on offer is first class. Service is top notch. All staff found to be warm and friendly. Theme nights have gone down a storm [long may they continue]. My wife and I have found the Boars Head to be safe and fun! A great place to take family and friends.
Steve Underwood says: | 4-July-07
I agree with Carol, the Boars Head is now open all day and until 11pm on Sunday. Unfortunately, accord ends here. I don’t know about pampered sports teams, but I do know that the pub used to be full of friendly people, including females, enjoying excellent food and drink served by excellent staff that cared about customers. This is now not the case. It is not busy, in my opinion the atmosphere is tense at best, the food has deteriorated, the staff are unfriendly. Declining pubs have one thing in common; a landlord that has failed to grasp the rather important point that customers are their only source of income! Let's have the pub back where we used to spend our hard-earned cash!
Andrew Blair says: | 4-July-07
Time brings change....and in this case a change for the better. No longer sterile but with a good atmosphere and friendly staff the Boars Head is a vast improvement under the new managers. I heard myself a couple complain to the new manager that he had ruined the pub...as it was now so busy they couldn't have it to themselves. Someone is obviously doing something right. Personally I love the live music and party nights and I am in my 60's! No trouble, no bad language and lots of people having fun. Keep the changes coming!
Carol Leaver says: | 2-July-07
Very interesting reviews below. I would just like to make a few comments. The pub used to close in the afternoon, it's now open all day. The pub used to close at 8pm on Sunday [seriously], now open until 11pm. In my opinion, the pub used to serve microwaved and deep fried food, now all freshly cooked locally sourced food.
Previously, a local sports team were pampered by the landlord to the detriment of other customers. Take my word for it...this pub is now far more female friendly and busier than I have known it for years. More importantly, busy with a friendly, polite crowd who do not treat the Boars Head like a private unofficial 'clubhouse' for their team and the landlord.
Simon Williams says: 
| 30-June-07
I'm afraid I agree with recent negative comments. It used to be our regular haunt after golf, but the new management seem to have turned it into their 'private' little club. They and their chums are far too loud and don't seem bothered about the regulars who are voting with their feet!
D Bryant says: | 30-June-07
I visited the Boars Head the other Friday and was bitterly disappointed. Where has the great menu gone? Where have the friendly staff gone?. We had heard the pub had changed but visited with friends, we saw the menu and asked the staff for the bigger menu, only to be greeted with grunts and groans. Needless to say, we did not stay for food and even left our drinks. The pub has gone downhill really badly and, sadly, we will not be returning.
Andrew Fordyce says: | 28-June-07
I used to really enjoy the friendly atmosphere that was created through a lot of hard work by the previous landlord Dave. All this hard work now seems to be undone and the tumbleweed is blowing across the floor. Still, plenty of space to sit down now! The new landlord has almost ruined this pub. He has ostracised many regulars who have withdrawn their support. In my opinion, tetchy staff, poor service and lack of atmosphere are killing this once great Sussex hostelry. Give it a miss or risk being disappointed.
A Hallowes says: | 26-June-07
What a great place this was to meet, drink and eat but the new landlord has ruined it. He has ostracised regulars of many years to drink elsewhere. The new guvnor seems hell bent on trying to to turn the place into an 'outside of London' trendy music venue which is simply not working for long-standing clients!
Daytime is empty, when there was previously a lively trade, evening eating is mixed because what was a fantastic menu has now been reduced to 'bar grub'. Top bar staff in tune with Sussex humour have been 'let go' to be replaced by 'sensitive and very PC staff' without a sense of the local flavour. It's a great pub without the new incumbents. Bring back Dave!
Jacky Hamilton says: | 11-June-07
I completely agree with Jon Curtis's comments. We were also out on a work's do, but a week earlier, the same food was served and we were told they were out of rice! In fairness to the Boars Head, a free dessert was offered as a goodwill gesture. The minimalistic food does not represent value for money.
Jon Curtis says: | 6-June-07
After an excellent meal in January, my wife visited again with work colleagues last week and found the pub has really gone downhill. They even served risotto with no rice! The Thai salmon and prawns is a piece of salmon, three prawns and a mushroom cut in half - all in a bowl of runny soup. No other vegetables or rice.
Older reviews
Andrew Leaver says: | 13-April-07
Under new management.......and looking good....big plans ahead and lots of events advertised. Young and friendly couple have taken over.
Roger Wiles says: | 8-December-06
There were 23 in our pre-booked birthday party. The food was excellent. The service fast and very friendly. Great pub
Dave M says: | 26-September-06
A fantastic pub, good mix of locals and pop-ins, and some terrific food. Great quiz once a month. Other reviewers have mentioned the landlord, but he has been serving or chatting whenever we have been in. Well worth a visit.
Carol D says: | 15-August-06
The Boars Head is a friendly non-smoking pub [with a covered and heated smoking area outside]. There are two food menus, both of which supply a plentiful plate, and a Specials board. Mongolian evenings are great...as are the large platefuls of Sunday roast. Highly recommended.
Richard B says: | 24-July-06
Used to be a very good pub with a nice crowd of locals. Now it just seems to be a food orientated pub with no atmosphere. No smoking is pleasant but beers are not always great and the landlord is never about. Standard pub microwave food and rather pricey. Watch out for house wine by the glass and a pint of coke out of a pump (syrup) costing over £6! Much better food available elsewhere for the price.
Lynn H says: | 19-July-06
Have eaten here several times and without exception the food and wine have been most excellent. I highly recommend the Boars Head.
Lester C says: | 26-May-06
My wife and I paid a lunchtime visit here recently and were pleasantly surprised! As well as being non-smoking which is great news, the pub has a young friendly couple running it. On our visit, I opted for a brown baguette with prawn and avocado. I thought £5.75 was a bit steep for a roll but it was packed with prawns, was very fresh, and it came with a side dish of potato wedges and a salad. Superb! and it went down very well with a pint of Fursty Ferret. If you are in town shopping, the pub is well worth the 10 minute walk just up the hill to enjoy a treat.
Harry P says: | 27-February-06
Nice pint of beer but food was unimaginative and a lot of items on the menu were not available.
Alex H says: |
14-January-06
I recently visited on a Friday evening with some friends. The service from the restaurant side of the pub was exceptional. The food was excellent and the plates and cutlery were spotless. Always a good sign of a good restaurant.
Ruby and Ian say: | 16-July-05
We had a meal here this evening and the steaks were brilliantly cooked. It was my 60th birthday and all of us had a fabulous time. The staff and owners looked after us really well and we will be going back soon.
Chris R says: |
5-June-05
We stopped here for some lunch on Saturday. The beer was OK, perhaps mine was the first pint of the day. The food was poor. My Cheddar Ploughman's was enormous but most of it was tasteless salad and the bread roll had an earthy taste. The roll was replaced but the replacement tasted not much better.
Pub score - No Good · - Excellent
