The Best Beer Gardens Near Chichester: Where to Soak up the Sun this Summer
From harbour-side terraces to South Downs village pubs, here are the finest outdoor beer gardens across the Chichester area and beyond.
When (if?) the sun comes out in West Sussex, there are few better ways to spend an afternoon than with a pint of something refreshing in a great pub garden. Fortunately, the Chichester district and its surrounding villages are exceptionally well served. Whether you're after sweeping South Downs views, a waterside terrace, or a tucked-away garden in a flint-walled village pub, our part of the country delivers. Here are eleven of the very best.
1. The Crown & Anchor, Dell Quay
Best one for: fresh seafood and stunning sunsets
Few beer gardens can match the setting of the Crown & Anchor. Tucked away in Dell Quay on the edge of Chichester Harbour, the terrace here looks directly out over the marina and the water beyond. In summer, the Salt Shack opens for al fresco dining, and on a warm evening with the tide in and the boats catching the light, it's genuinely hard to leave. The pub is dog-friendly, award-winning for its fish and seafood menu, and has the feel of a proper local that just happens to have one of the best sunsets in West Sussex. Book ahead in summer and be prepared for a bit of a walk from your parking spot.
Dell Quay Road, Apuldram, Chichester, PO20 7EE
2. The Fox Goes Free, Charlton
Best one for: South Downs views and proper countryside charm
Tucked into the village of Charlton near Goodwood, The Fox Goes Free is one of the most characterful pubs in the area. Housed in a 400-year-old flint building, it has oak beams, open fireplaces and a spacious garden that overlooks Levin Down, a National Trust site. The views across the South Downs are genuinely spectacular, and the garden comes with a heated seating area and lighting for cooler evenings. The pub has a strong menu, its Sunday roasts are firm favourites, alongside real ales and fine wines. What's more, its said that the pub hosted the first Women's Institute meeting in England. A proper destination all year round but worth going in summer for the views.
Charlton, Nr Goodwood, West Sussex, PO18 0HU
3. The Royal Oak, East Lavant
Best one for: a refined countryside destination, close to the city
Just a short drive north of Chichester in the pretty village of East Lavant, The Royal Oak is a to the South Downs. Known for its honest food made from local ingredients, it's the perfect destination for a relaxed outside lunch with a view within easy reach of Chichester city centre. Bonus - the kitchen is open from early morning through to evening daily.
East Lavant, Chichester, PO18 0AX
4. The Earl of March, Lavant
Best one for: smart dining with a garden to match
Another Lavant gem, The Earl of March sits at the foot of the South Downs and has earned a strong reputation for its cooking and its setting. The garden here suits a long, lazy lunch just as well as an evening drink, and the combination of well-kept surroundings and quality food makes it a step up from your average beer garden experience. With Goodwood close by, it's a natural choice during the summer racing and festival season, though worth booking well ahead during those busy weeks.
Lavant Road, Lavant, Chichester, PO18 0BQ
5. The White Horse, Chilgrove
Best one for: all-day sunshine and South Downs scenery
Set in the village of Chilgrove, roughly ten minutes from Chichester city centre, The White Horse is a pub that makes the most of its outstanding natural setting. The terrace faces the South Downs and catches the sun for most of the day. There are tables to the front of the pub as well for anyone who wants to drink in the stunning views even more directly. The seasonal menu draws on local suppliers, and the drinks list covers cask ales, craft beers, cider, wines and cocktails. A reliable favourite for walkers, cyclists and anyone who simply wants to sit outside somewhere beautiful.
Chilgrove, Chichester, PO18 9HX
6. The George, Eartham
The one for: a traditional Sussex free house in a South Downs village
The George at Eartham is a family-run free house that wears its Sussex identity proudly. Nestled between Goodwood and Fontwell on the edge of the Slindon Estate, this is a proper traditional pub with a beer garden to match. The kind of establishment where locally sourced produce, craft ales and warm service are standard. The pub is proud of its South Downs setting and uses it well if you're planning a walk in the surrounding area, its an ideal start or finish point.
Eartham, Chichester, PO18 0LT
7. The Barley Mow, Walderton
Best one for: a river-facing garden in a beautiful South Downs village
Re-opened in November 2025 under new landlords Angel and Katy and cocker spaniel Ruby, The Barley Mow in Walderton has quickly re-established itself as a pub worth seeking out. The garden faces the river and is one of the most naturally peaceful spots on this list. This lovely redbrick village pub is doing things properly, with locally sourced fresh food, beautifully kept cask ales and, for those in the know, a skittle alley. It's the kind of place that rewards the short detour it takes to find it.
Walderton, Chichester, PO18 9ED
8. The Horse & Groom, East Ashling
Best one for: a beautifully refurbished village local
Ideally located just four miles west of Chichester and on the edge of the gorgeous South Downs, The Horse & Groom at East Ashling has undergone an extensive refurbishment and emerged as one of the most appealing pubs in the area. The outdoor space suits a relaxed drink before or after a walk in the surrounding countryside, and the pub offers overnight rooms for those who want to make a longer break of it. With food from a kitchen that has attracted serious attention, including a Michel Roux guest chef residency, this pub is one for every serious foodies list.
East Ashling, Chichester, PO18 9AS
9. The Walnut Tree, Runcton
Best one for: a family-friendly garden south of Chichester
Tucked away in the village of Runcton, just south of Chichester, The Walnut Tree is a solid all-round pub and restaurant with a well-kept beer garden that has separate patio and garden seating areas, useful if you want to keep an eye on younger members of the party. The pub has a comprehensive food offering, a good wine and beer list, and the garden is a pleasant spot for a relaxed summer afternoon without the need to drive too far from the city.
Runcton, Chichester, PO20 1PY
10. The Crate & Apple, Chichester
The one for: a city-centre garden without leaving town
If you want outdoor drinking without jumping in the car, The Crate & Apple on Westgate in the heart of Chichester is the answer. Under relatively new management and with a refreshed menu, this pub and kitchen has built a following for its food as much as its drinks. For those who want to enjoy a summer pint in the city itself rather than the surrounding villages, it's a solid city-centre option.
14 Westgate, Chichester, PO19 3EU
11. The Black Rabbit, Arundel
Best one for: a riverbank setting with wetland and castle views
A short drive from Chichester and close to the local train station, The Black Rabbit sits on the bank of the River Arun at Offham, near Arundel Castle. Its setting is among the most dramatic of any pub in the region. The outdoor space looks directly across the river to the water meadows and castle beyond, a view that is hard to beat on a clear summer's day. The pub serves real ales and is dog friendly. Its a natural stop on any walk around the Arun Valley or the gorgeous Arundel park. It's worth timing a visit to coincide with the tide.
Mill Road, Offham, Arundel, BN18 9PB
Know a great beer garden we've missed? Let us know in the comments below.
All information correct at time of publication (June 2026). Always check individual pub websites for current opening hours before visiting.
