The Countryman is set in open countryside close to the small village of Shipley, surrounded by 3,500 acres of farmland owned by the Knepp Castle Estate. The area is in the process of being turned back into a more natural state, with the introduction of fallow deer, free roaming Tamworth pigs, Exmoor ponies and longhorn cattle. Many wild birds have also been encouraged to return to the area, as the new growth of wild grasses and plant life provide a welcoming habitat. You can even do a bit of bird spotting from the inn’s garden in fine weather.
Inside you’ll find warming log fires in the winter, and cask conditioned Harvey’s and Organic Horsham ales in the cosy bar, together with over 30 wines from around the world. Free-range meat and vegetables from local farms make their appearance on the menu alongside fresh fish from Shoreham and Newhaven and local game in season.
Shipley takes its name from a Saxon word meaning ‘the place of pasture’. It is the second largest parish in Sussex with an area just under 8000 acres and is mentioned in the Domesday book of 1087. William de Braose, a powerful supporter of William the Conqueror, was given the manor of Shipley and 40 other manors, including Knepp where he built the original castle, soon after the Battle of Hastings. He and his son participated in the Crusades and were great benefactors of the church. The son passed the estates at Shipley to his nephew, whose brother, Dean of Lincoln, gave them to the Knights Templar.
Shipley church is one of the oldest Norman churches in Sussex. It dates from the 12th century, contemporary with Chichester Cathedral, and was built by the Knights Templar on the site of the much earlier church. The church was restored in 1830, when the pyramidal shingled spire had to be removed due to its poor state of repair. At the same time two galleries were removed and a north porch of timber and stone, also dating from the 14th century, was removed and remains detached in the churchyard today.
Shipley’s historic eight-sided smock mill is worth a visit, and is just a mile’s walk along a woodland bridle path from The Countryman. The mill is so called because of its likeness to the farm labourer’s traditional cotton smock.
Shipley mill has been made famous as the fictional home of the hero of the BBC television series, Jonathan Creek.
New for the Summer in the Countryman Garden there is an open air Kitchen serving a range of ploughman’s lunches with home baked bread, various BBQ Grills, Freshly made Sandwiches, Prepared Shellfish and snacks.
