20/04/2014 – Scene Magazine – From the heart of LGBTQ+ Life

With Sunday lunch in Brighton becoming a little predictable and at times hard to secure a reservation at the time you want to eat, we decided to check out what Worthing has to offer. What a treat we had.

Owners Paul and Rose Willey affectionately describe their lovely venue as a pub with rooms!

Beechwood Hall Hotel was designed and built in 1829, by the Brighton architect Amon Henry Wildes and was known locally as Swiss Cottage. Originally a semi-detached property, North and South Swiss Cottage were converted into a hotel with 23 bedrooms in 1931. Over the generations, the building was altered and improved, until after a long and distinguished period it fell into disrepair. In April 2010, Paul and Rose purchased the freehold and commissioned an extensive refurbishment and modernisation for the business, which is now fully completed, fully functional and very impressive with a modern, comfortable traditional dining and bar area.

Even though we were having a Sunday Lunch costing just £9.95 we were offered the extensive a la carte menu to choose our starter. I chose a baked camembert with red currant jelly and my partner chose garlic mushrooms in a creamy sauce with crusty bread and salad. Both dishes were great value and well worth the £6.50 price tag. The camembert was baked to perfection and the creamy sauce on the garlic mushroom was just right, not too creamy.

We chose lamb and beef for the main course which came with the best Yorkshire pudding I have tasted for quite some time. The meat was tender, not overcooked with lovely roast potatoes and a choice of five vegetables all al dente, which I personally prefer. If you want your vegetables cooked longer just mention it when giving your order to the lovely girls who provide the service.

The main course was huge so my partner passed on desert. I finished with the cheese and crackers, a perfect choice after such a satisfying meal. We washed everything down with a big fruity Sauvignon Blanc and a fine Merlot.

The restaurant is open daily from noon to 2.30pm and 6pm to 8.30pm serving what is best described as traditional English fayre. Our experience was great and I would recommended the venue to all my friends, so give it a try.

To check out the a la carte lunch and dinner menus, CLICK HERE:

Beechwood Hall Hotel is surrounded by lovely gardens to enjoy. If you don’t want to eat you can just sit outside, drink and take in the sun. The bar is open from 11am -11pm and is well worth a visit at any time during the afternoon or evening after work.

You will find Beechwood Hall Hotel at Wykeham Road, Worthing BN11 4JD: Tel: 01903 232375

For more information, CLICK HERE:

Despite torrential rain a large group of people entered into the spirit of the day and dressed up for the Drag Queen races at todays Easter Bonnet Parade.

Cllr Denise Cobb the Major of Brighton and Hove was in attendance at the event which was staged to raise money for the Sussex Beacon by the landlords of the Bedford Tavern and Grosvenor Bar in Western Street on the borders of Brighton and Hove.

The annual event is very popular with local residents who took cover inside both bars while the races were conducted outside in the rain. Many people who have moved away return loyally to the street every year to maintain the tradition of the Easter Bonnet Parade.

The Sussex Beacon charity offers specialist care and support for men, women and families affected by HIV. Open 365 days a year, they help people manage the everyday realities of living with this life-long condition that has no cure. Their inpatient and outpatient services help people living with HIV related illnesses, initiating new drug therapies or struggling with extreme side effects of HIV medication. The Sussex Beacon supports the whole person by addressing the physical, mental and social impact of HIV.