The Onslow Arms ... Loxwood
Telephone 01403 752452 · Map | Reviews
OS Map : Landranger 187 · Map reference TQ 041 312
Description
The Onslow Arms is a nice pub with wooden floors and exposed brickwork in a canalside setting. The pub serves home-cooked food and beers from Hall and Woodhouse including Badger Best, Sussex and Fursty Ferret. Large garden at the front of the pub overlooking the river. Seats at the rear of the pub overlooking the canal.
The pub is located on a restored section of the Wey and Arun canal which is popular with walkers. There are plans to re-open the canal completely.
How to get there
By car, Loxwood is a small village between Rudgwick and Ifold. The village is about 3 miles [4.8 km] from the A281 Horsham to Guildford road. Loxwood is signposted from the A281 at Bucks Green. The pub itself is on the B2133.
Cycling - the best mixed on/off-road route is to take the Downs Link bridleway from Christs Hospital or from Slinfold. For example, join the Downs Link at Slinfold and cycle north towards Rudgwick until you get to the A281. Turn left for a short distance [less than 0.5 miles] along the road and turn left just before [or just after] the Fox Inn.
Cycle along this normally quiet country road for about 3 miles [4.8 km] past the Mucky Duck pub on the right until you get to Loxwood. Turn left heading south and the pub is a short distance [less than 0.5 miles] on the left.
If you want a quiet on-road route, cycle towards the A264/A29 Five Oaks intersection from Slinfold. At the A29, turn left and, after 0.5 miles [0.8 km], turn right [signposted for 'The Haven' and 'Lower Lodge shooting grounds']. Continue along this road for about 3 miles [4.8 km] to the A281. Turn left and cycle a short distance until the Fox Inn, then continue as above.
Suggested cycling routes from here
Come out of the pub and face the canal. Turn right and cycle along the canal bridleway path towards Drungewick and there is another bridlepath which connects up with the Blue Ship at the Haven.
or continue south along the B2133 towards the Cricketers Arms at Wisborough Green or the Limeburners Arms near Billingshurst.
Your reviews
Disclaimer: All reviews and ratings on 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.
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Must revise my review of the 11th Dec 2008. Have now been here a couple more times for a light lunch with friends and feel bad about what I wrote before - that was one, less-than-perfect experience. The food is fine, the pub has a nice feel about it, and the landlord is easy and pleasant.
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Visited the pub for a pre-Christmas Christmas meal with my extended family on Saturday before a special Christmas cruise on the canal behind. The three children all enjoyed their kids’ dinners, there was a good choice of kid-friendly food, and the fish and chips and sausages were fresh and well presented. Adult food was equally as good, the Christmas turkey was a bit thinly sliced, but the veg and the fresh cranberry sauce more than made up for it. The desserts went down very well, the bread and butter pudding with marmalade and whisky was definitely worth the trip. A good mixture of staples and modern food.
Can’t comment on the beer, as I was driving, but the Sussex ale seemed to go down without any complaints. Plus, they were more than happy to provide as many glasses of tap water as the kids could drink. The pub also seemed to be the most dog-friendly pub I've ever come across, the landlord even came by and handed out dog biscuits! We will definitely go back.
Older reviews
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I first visited the Onslow Arms about two months ago. It had just been taken over by Tom and Sian and we were welcomed with warm smiles and served straight away. The wooden floors and open fire greet you with the feeling of a proper village pub ... a place that has become my local. The pub quiz on a Sunday night always attracts a crowd and it is a pleasure to take part in. Friendly banter between all teams of all ages.
Dogs are welcome which we found a nice change as we enjoy taking our German shepherd along the beautiful canal walks at the rear of the pub. The food is good and is proper pub grub. It is an environment that is quite homely. My partner has visited the pub for drinks with the girls and felt at ease as there was no uncomfortable feeling of guys hassling them. All in all, the new team are doing their best to change the somewhat murky image that the pub used to have. Long may it continue.
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We met friends for lunch here. We're in no hurry to revisit as it seems symptomatic of the typical small-minded English shopkeeper mentality. First, you’re greeted in the pub car park by a notice saying you will be asked to leave if you're found eating other than the pub’s grub in the garden. Is it really that important? Wouldn’t they rather sell a few drinks than nothing at all?
Inside, the next thing you see is a notice on the bar saying you will be charged extra for using a credit card for less than £10. Maybe so, but straight away I’m starting to feel bad vibes. A nice fire with comfortable looking settees around it and it’s a cold day; what better than a seat there? “I must ask you not to use the settees if you’re eating”, says the landlord, anticipating our next move. It's even more frustrating when we find that’s the only fire alight and, despite the heating, the pub is cold enough that we wished we’d brought warmer clothing.
We opt for the Snacks Menu and the food is fine and the landlord’s manner OK until we talk about a dessert. “Desserts are part of the Three Course Menu”, we’re told. “I could do desserts at a price” he offers. Well not if it’s like that we think, and settle for coffees which, now that we’re not eating, we can take to the settees! Reminded me a bit of school days.
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Just had my 70th birthday at the pub; catered for 18 people. Excellent food, service and atmosphere.
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The pub has a new landlord who is getting to grips with all the previous problems. New Specials menus with new and interesting vegetarian options.
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- No Good · - Excellent
