The Cowdray Arms

8.6
Excellent
(797 reviews)

London Rd, Balcombe, Haywards Heath RH17 6QD, United Kingdom

+44 1444 811280

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Hotel Description

The Cowdray Arms, located at London Rd, Balcombe, Haywards Heath RH17 6QD, United Kingdom, offers a charming and inviting atmosphere perfect for both short and long stays. Nestled in the picturesque village of Balcombe, this pet-friendly and smoke-free property boasts a rich combination of modern amenities and classic English pub charm. Guests can enjoy the serene surroundings, with easy access to local attractions and beautiful landscapes that enhance the appeal of the hotel. Whether you're here for a peaceful retreat or a business trip, the hotel provides a relaxing and welcoming environment with a warm and friendly staff ready to cater to your needs.
The rooms at The Cowdray Arms are thoughtfully designed with comfort and relaxation in mind. Spacious and well-appointed, each room features modern furnishings, cozy beds, and stylish décor. The rooms are equipped with Wi-Fi to keep you connected and are perfect for both work and relaxation. A delightful breakfast is offered to guests, ensuring a great start to the day.
The hotel offers several standout amenities including a renowned on-site restaurant, praised for its delicious meals, especially the steak dishes, as well as a cozy bar for guests to unwind. The bar and restaurant area are highly recommended by previous guests, creating a vibrant atmosphere for dining and enjoying the nightlife. There are also parking facilities available, and the hotel is family-friendly, making it an ideal choice for those traveling with children.
Guests will also appreciate the hotel's prime location with easy access to major public transportation options. The Cowdray Arms is a short drive away from the major Gatwick Airport (approximately 14 minutes by taxi) and has various convenient transit connections to other airports and popular destinations in the area.
The hotel places a strong emphasis on the health and safety of its guests, ensuring that all necessary measures are in place to provide a secure and comfortable stay. Whether you're exploring the local sights or simply enjoying the comforts of the hotel, The Cowdray Arms offers a wonderful home away from home.
A variety of local attractions are within easy reach of the hotel, such as Wakehurst, a beautiful country estate, and the National Trust – Nymans, a stunning garden filled with plants from around the world. Other nearby sights include the famous Bluebell Railway, Standen House and Garden, and Tulleys Shocktober Fest, perfect for both nature enthusiasts and thrill-seekers.
When it comes to dining options, guests will find a range of restaurants nearby, including the highly rated Turkuaz Restaurant for Mediterranean cuisine, Frogshole Farm, and Smith & Western - Tilgate Park for American favorites. Other options like Wildwood Restaurants Crawley provide a variety of dining experiences to suit all tastes.
For those seeking a friendly, comfortable stay with easy access to local attractions and transport, The Cowdray Arms offers the perfect destination.

The Most Outstanding Trait

1. Guests praised the bathrooms for their cleanliness and comfort

2. 6-minute drive to Tulleys Shocktober Fest

3. Highly praised service from friendly staff

4. Renowned on-site restaurant with excellent steak dishes

5. Breakfast service received positive reviews from guests

6. Vibrant nightlife with bar and restaurant atmosphere

7. Pet-friendly and smoke-free property

8. Convenient parking facilities for guests

9. Family-friendly environment with kid-friendly amenities

10. Wi-Fi available in all areas for guest convenience


6.6 Good

Location rating

Top sights

Wakehurst
11 min
National Trust - Nymans
8 min
Bluebell Railway - (Sheffield Park, Station)
27 min
National Trust - Standen House and Garden
14 min
Tulleys Shocktober Fest
6 min

Nearest locations

Frogshole Farm
5 min
Dem Shish Crawley
5 min
Dukes Head Crawley Downs
10 min
Wakehurst Place Stables Restaurant
12 min
Turkuaz Restaurant Crawley
13 min
Wildwood Restaurants Crawley
13 min
Da Nico Italian Restaurant
13 min
Estrelicia Restaurant
13 min
See more Interesting locations

Good to know

Check-in14:00
Check-out11:00
Location rating6.6
Nearest airportLondon Gatwick Airport
Travel time to airport14 min

Nightly price (Only for reference price for sample day)

Check-in: Fri, Dec 06
Check-out: Sat, Dec 07
    Official Hotel

    $169

    Agoda

    $146

    Vio.com

    $146

    Bluepillow.com

    $146

    goseek.com

    $146

    Booking.com

    $169


Location

London Rd, Balcombe, Haywards Heath RH17 6QD, United Kingdom

Airports:

Heathrow Airport

Taxi: 52 min

Transit: 1 hr 55 min

London City Airport

Taxi: 1 hr 6 min

Transit: 1 hr 36 min

London Luton Airport

Taxi: 1 hr 23 min

Transit: 2 hr 5 min

London Stansted Airport

Taxi: 1 hr 24 min

Transit: 2 hr 36 min

London Gatwick Airport

Taxi: 14 min

Transit: 39 min

London Southend Airport

Taxi: 1 hr 20 min

Transit: 2 hr 19 min

Transit:

Oldhouse Warren

Walking: 11 min

The Cowdray Arms

Walking: 1 min

Three Bridges

Taxi: 7 min

Walking: 1 hr 4 min

Crawley

Taxi: 12 min

Walking: 1 hr 29 min

Balcombe

Taxi: 4 min

Walking: 48 min


Nearby locations

6.6

Good Location

Top Attractions

Top Restaurants


Amenities and Facilities

Pets

Pet-friendly

Parking & transportation

Parking

Policies & payments

Smoke-free property

Food & drink

Restaurant

Bar

Breakfast

Wellness

No fitness center

No spa

Children

Kid-friendly

Internet

Wi-Fi

Pools

No pools

No hot tub


Reviews

100% reviews from partners and customers booking on Dinogo

9.0

10 reviews

Wonderful
8
Excellent
0
Good
1
Below Average
1
Not Good
0
Cover Image for Jonathan Russell

Jonathan Russell

5/5
The family meal here was most memorable. The quality of the food was superb. Jo and Fatima looked after us so well. Whilst the steak was excellent, the other menu items were superb also. Thoroughly recommended. Absolutely top value.

Cover Image for Patrick & Louise Bruen

Patrick & Louise Bruen

5/5
A proper English pub & restaurant, managed by Stan and his friendly staff. A sensible straightforward menu of grass fed steaks and fish. Good portions , well presented and reasonable prices. A lot of locals which is always a good sign.PS .They do need to get in an Italian Illy coffee machine though. Number One coffee. in the world.

Cover Image for Aline Francois

Aline Francois

5/5
We went yesterday for the Sunday roast and the food was absolutely amazing! Best roast I've had in a long time, and their rhubarb crumble was also delicious. The staff is very friendly and I loved the atmosphere. I will come back any time I'm in the area for sure!

Cover Image for YOLAND GLADMAN

YOLAND GLADMAN

5/5
My wife & I had an overnight stay at The Cowdray Arms. The staff were brilliant & made our stay very enjoyable.We had a delicious meal in the restaurant, the service was first class.As we had an early start in the morning & Chef Sherif prepared a selection of fruit & sandwiches that we enjoyed in our room before departing.If we are ever in this area again we will definitely return.I don't usually leave reviews but The Cowdrey Arms are a cut above.

Cover Image for Oliver Russell

Oliver Russell

5/5
Wonderful meal there as a family. Great service with Jo and Fatima and superb food. We really enjoyed the crumble. Will definitely come again.

Service 5

Location5

Cover Image for Erin Street

Erin Street

2/5
Booked a table 2 weeks ago, specified a dog friendly table. We got there today to be told we hadn't booked for our dog. However they did allow us into the restaurant on an alternative table. Service was terrible had to wait 20 minutes before we were asked if we wanted drinks. Another 15 minutes before they took our food order. The food took an hour and half to appear. The food was good but not much choice for vegetarians. We asked for the bill and it was slammed down on our table, we were told pay at the bar. We won't be back anytime soon.

Cover Image for Shaun Ames

Shaun Ames

5/5
We had an absolutely fantastic experience at the Cowdray Arms! Our meal started with perfectly cooked scallops, accompanied by a sauce so delicious we couldn’t resist grabbing spoons to finish every drop. For our mains, we both opted for the slow-cooked pressed lamb breast, served with potato croquettes, heritage carrots, and jus. This dish was a true masterpiece! The lamb, marinated overnight, was tender and bursting with rich flavors, perfectly complemented by the accompaniments. The balance of the dish was flawless, thanks to the skillful touch of Chef Sharif—who truly deserves an award, if not a Michelin star!We also stayed for one night, and from the moment we arrived, the staff were warm and welcoming. Our room was immaculate, newly decorated, and greeted us with the fresh scent of eucalyptus. There was even complimentary bubbly and orange juice waiting for us! The relaxing and inviting atmosphere of the pub made our stay even more enjoyable, and it was clear that other customers felt the same.A special mention to our waitress, Fatima, who was attentive without being overbearing. Her expert knowledge of the menu helped us order with confidence, and she always seemed to appear right when we needed her.I’ve always believed that it’s the people who make a business truly great, and the Cowdray Arms is the perfect example of this. We will absolutely be back!

Cover Image for Wiebo Grobler

Wiebo Grobler

5/5
Stopped for a quick bite to eat before long drive in the rain to Colchester. What a lovely cosy pub! We were greeted warmly and quickly shown to a table. To my surprise it turns out The Cowdray is a steakhouse! I had the 14Oz sirloin and my wive had the grilled lamb chops. Both meals were amazing. I'd highly recommend a visit if you are driving past! Very friendly and attentive staff. Also dog friendly with a big outside area.

Cover Image for Mr ShadyWolfNinja

Mr ShadyWolfNinja

5/5
Great place.I was staying for one night (going to a wedding nearby), and the staff could not have been more helpful or lovely.The room was perfect and priced just right, and the pub was exactly the kind of country pub I love. Great beers, friendly locals, and an absolute joy to stay at.I'm definitely coming back.

Cover Image for Martin H

Martin H

3/5
Lovely welcoming staff, maybe we got unlucky with food offers. The oven was broken and other produce not available. Settled on the fish and chips, not really what we were after, it was ok. An offer of extending the breakfast menu would have helped with hindsight. Nice beer garden to eat in.

Service 4

Location3