About
The Horse & Groom is a traditional free house in the village of East Ashling, set within the South Downs. There has been hospitality on this site for more than two centuries - from its early days as a forge to the public house it is today - and it remains a place where people come together.
Owned by John Ayton, a long-standing East Ashling resident, the pub has been carefully restored and guided forward with a clear principle: a good pub should serve its community as well as its guests. Rooted in tradition and focused on quality, The Horse & Groom is built on straightforward hospitality and good food.
Our menus reflect the seasons, using British produce and simple, considered cooking. Whether joining us for supper, Sunday lunch or a celebration, the aim is always the same - generous food and relaxed service.
Our individually styled garden rooms sit alongside the main pub, offering stylish and beautiful rooms for those wishing to stay.
The Horse & Groom is a village pub with a long history, proud of its past and firmly part of the present community.
History
About our past
The Horse & Groom in the picturesque village of East Ashling has stood at the heart of this South Downs community for more than two centuries. Yet its story begins even earlier: on this very site there was a dwelling recorded as far back as the early 1600s. In December 1624, the property was bought by local landowner John Page and shortly afterwards became a smithy, serving the needs of village life with the clang of hammer on anvil.
A devastating fire in 1758 brought the smithy to the ground, but it was rebuilt by John Wells, whose initials and date of reconstruction still grace the plate above the old entrance.
By May 1812, William and Edward Humphry - brewers from nearby Chichester - recognised the need for a welcoming public house in this thriving corner of Sussex. They converted the premises into the Horse & Groom, a traditional English country pub that would soon become a cherished meeting place for locals and visitors alike.
Over the generations the pub has remained rooted in East Ashling life, welcoming walkers from the Downs, families from Sussex towns, and travellers seeking comfort, conviviality and good fare. Today, under its current custodians, The Horse & Groom honours that legacy with warm hospitality, lovingly restored interiors and rooms that offer a cosy overnight stay - all while celebrating the traditions that have shaped this special place.
Our Team
At the heart of The Horse & Groom is a team who care deeply about hospitality - about warmth, consistency, and the quiet satisfaction of looking after people well.
Owned by John Ayton, a long-standing East Ashling resident with a deep affection for the pub and its place in village life, The Horse & Groom has been gently restored and guided forward with a clear belief: that a pub should serve its community as much as its guests. John’s vision - a place rooted in tradition, generous in spirit, and serious about good food - shapes everything we do.
At the helm of the kitchen is Head Chef Luke, whose cooking is grounded in seasonality, simplicity and flavour. With a deep respect for classic British dishes, he brings a thoughtful, modern touch to the menu, championing quality ingredients. Working closely with localsuppliers, Luke creates food that reflects the rhythms of the changing seasons - generous, comforting and quietly refined.
Day to day, our front-of-house team welcomes guests with unfussy attentiveness, creating the relaxed atmosphere the pub is known for. From the bar to the garden rooms, from breakfast service to Sunday lunch, every member of the team plays a part in making The Horse & Groom a place people return to - not only for the food, but for the feeling of being well looked after.
