The Countryman Inn ... Shipley
Map | Reviews
OS Map : Landranger 187 · Map reference TQ 136 213
Description
Weather-boarded freehouse pub in a quiet, rural location selling Horsham Best bitter from King and Company, Fullers London Pride and Bass ales. Two large bar areas, one with a large fireplace and the other with a dining area with many beer and water jugs hanging from the ceiling. Brass name plates on the bar - perhaps the locals?
Wide food selection from sandwiches to venison pie and a sunny garden that overlooks a large expanse of field. The pub was regional winner of the Les Routiers Dining Pub of the Year 2005. The pub has its own website.
How to get there
By car
Shipley is south of Horsham near the A24/A272 junction.
Cycling
Cycle to Southwater from Horsham crossing the A24 at the Hop Oast roundabout
- take care if you use the Worthing Road, it is busy.
Cycle through Southwater, past the Hen
and Chicken on the left and then over the old railway bridge past
the Cock pub on the right.
Turn right into Shipley Road [before the A24 bypass] and cycle for 1.7 miles [2.7 km] until the A272. Turn right ["Billingshurst, Coolham" - busy road] and after 0.5 miles [0.8 km] take the second left [there is a sign for the pub]. Cycle down this quiet country lane for 1 mile [1.6 km] over a small narrow bridge and the pub is on a T-junction at the end of the road.
Suggested cycling routes from here
Visit Shipley windmill which used to be the home of the poet Hillaire Belloc. It was also the location for the TV series 'Jonathan Creek'.
There are some quiet roads west of the pub towards Thakeham and West Chiltington. Return home via the roads between the A272 - Dragons Green - Christ's Hospital - Southwater / Horsham.
Visit the George and Dragon which is nearby, north of the A272.
Your reviews
Danny says:
| 5-December-07
I find the food to be average although the beer is always in good order. There was no-one drinking in the local bar which tells a sad story as this used to be a great pub and the hub of the community. The landlord can make the best Bloody Mary known to mankind but his his courtesy has lessened somewhat recently, which is disappointing and probably the reason why the locals give it a miss.
R Thorn says: 
| 7-August-07
Poor service combined with a separate menu for inside and outside made the visit extremely disappointing. We were unable to have anything from the inside menu sitting outside. The outside menu consisted of fried food and sandwiches.
Laura Jayne says:
| 28 June-07
I stayed here with my partner for the night and the rooms were lovely and comfortable although quite expensive at £78. I had a glorious night's sleep and the staff were welcoming and warm. The food was fairly expensive for what it was but overall it was nice. Would probably go here again soon.
Peter Williams says: | 18-May-07
I found this website by accident when searching for a pub address and was quite amazed to read the previous comments. We had dined at the Countryman before and found it to be very good. We tried it again this weekend and found it to be better than we had remembered. We thought it was good value for money [we have eaten cheaper but not at this quality].
The tables were laid perfectly with linen cloths and napkins and the staff were well presented in smart black uniforms. We had a thoroughly enjoyable time. I know things can go wrong in the best of places, after all Gordon Ramsay has got it wrong on several occasions! For us, the Countryman is definitely on our list of favourites.
Chris says: | 16-April-07
Have visited this pub before, always excellent - until now! Staff scruffy and we were charged £1.75 for a bread roll. Food average and drinks expensive. No wonder there were several empty tables on a Saturday night. What a shame.
Older reviews
Richard Allen says: 
| 25-October-06
Visited this place several times in the summer and always had a first class meal although it was always very, very busy. Thought we would try now that the winter is almost here. Still very busy, but still first class food and service. Visited on Saturday night with four friends, and again on Sunday for lunch with my parents. Both absolutely loved it. The roast sirloin of beef was the best I have ever had!
James M says: | 17-October-06
Very disappointed with our meal. We waited one hour 25 mins for our main course. Food was bland and tasteless, this was the view of each of the seven people at the table. Lovely setting and obvious potential when they don't try to squeeze so many people in on a Sunday. Not a good way to celebrate my mother's 67th birthday.
James A says: | 4-August-06
Excellent, excellent, excellent. Have visited on three separate occasions now and each time has been extremely busy, this is obviously a popular place. We chatted to the landlord who was extremely helpful and seemed to know everyone by name. The quality of the food was great, the friendly staff are eager to please, and the location is superb.
Graham M says:
| 12-July-06
Agree with other comments. The pub has a wonderful location and the food and beer is excellent. However, the landlord is unhelpful, inflexible, and generally not very friendly. This ruined a recent visit. A shame because otherwise very good.
Keith G says: | 10-July-06
Excellent location and good menu. Staff excellent too, although the whole experience is undermined by a grumpy landlord with no apparent idea about customer care.
Siri B says: | 23-August-05
One of our favourites. Have visited here on many occasions. Staff and landlord are very friendly and helpful. Food is excellent and all freshly cooked to order. No quickserve microwave dishes here! Excellent all rounder.
Tina S says: | 2-March-05
Friendly village pub with great atmosphere and a varied menu.
Rod T says: | 7-November-04
We have visited this pub about four times this year. On each occasion the landlord seemed unhappy, unhelpful and inconsiderate. The food is excellent, really fresh and plentiful. Good choices but expensive. We were the only customers in the pub, yet it took 30 mins to cook a meal - very poor! The drinks are very expensive. A very nice pub spoilt by the attitude of the landlord and slow service.
Pub score - No Good · - Excellent
