The Thatched Inn

By Charlie Burbidge-King and James Fitzgerald

Just over a year ago James and I bought The Thatched Inn and a lot has changed behind our doors over the past year, so we thought it was time to reintroduce ourselves and share a little of what you’ll find if you make the trip over to Hassocks.

There’s a phrase that’s always stuck with us: you never really own a pub. If you’re lucky, you simply become its custodian for a while. James and I have been friends for over twenty years and after both settling in Hassocks with our families, we couldn’t quite believe our luck when our local pub came up for a new set of owners – a new set of custodians. Just over a year ago, we set out on an ambitious four-week transformation, working with talented local tradespeople to create a pub built around three simple ideas: Gather, Share & Nourish.

We wanted every space to have its own personality. Book The Den for a celebration, enjoy fish and chips with a pint in the pub, settle into the restaurant for a long lunch or head out to our family-friendly garden, where children can enjoy the playground while you find a spot on the decking overlooking the South Downs.

Finding our Head Chef, Paul, was a turning point. Having worked everywhere from The Grand to South Lodge and some fantastic pubs, he brings huge passion, brilliant ideas and a determination to make our pub classics the very best, alongside seasonal dishes, changing specials and set lunches Monday to Saturday. Not long after opening, we picked up our first award for our Sunday Roast. That was the moment we realised we were perhaps on the cusp of something special. Since then, we’ve continued learning, tweaking and growing and earlier this year were incredibly proud to be recognised as 3rd Best Pub in Sussex and Best Sunday Roast in Sussex (outside Brighton city centre). As a small independent business, it meant a great deal to be recognised alongside – and ahead of – some much larger pub groups.

More recently, we’ve welcomed Gareth as General Manager, bringing experience from Burnt Orange and Coal Shed in Brighton. He’s already left his mark, with his Taco & Margarita nights proving so popular they’ve earned a permanent place on the menu.

Alongside our seasonal menus, we’ve built a week that’s full of reasons to visit. Burger & Beer on Mondays; Coz’s legendary Tuesday Quiz Night; Wine & Waffle Wednesdays; ever-changing chef’s specials on Thursdays; Fish & Fizz on Fridays and Saturdays; and our award-winning Sunday Roasts.

Saturday mornings have become something special too, with Sussex Peasant bringing some of the county’s best local produce to our car park. Grab a coffee and breakfast bap, enjoy the garden and browse the market. And this August Bank Holiday weekend, we’ll be rounding off the season with another Summer Social, bringing good food, drinks, face painting, music and plenty of reasons to gather in the garden.

A year in, it still feels like we’re just getting started. We’ve got plenty of ideas and plans ahead, but most importantly, we want The Thatched Inn to be somewhere worth making the trip for – for lunch with friends, a family Sunday roast, a celebration or simply a pint overlooking the Downs.

If you haven’t visited us yet, or haven’t been through our doors for a while, we’d love to welcome you. From Charlie, James & The Thatched Inn Team.