The White Hart - A Heartwood Inn

Spooky and not clean. Needs a bit of a makeover

Firstly, the positive: Great location, well executed refurb of a 500 year old building. Picturesque dining room with impressive alfresco dining balcony and a nice looking wood-panelled bar. Aesthetically, extremely pleasing. And now, for the grisly remainder: The rate: just about 25 to 40% too high considering there is no central air, no elevator, no gym, pool, sauna or any amenity other than rooms, bar and dining. Put simply, just not worth £200 per night - at any time of the year. The room: I was shoved in room 20 in the eaves if the building with a loose toilet roll holder and some pigeons nesting directly behind the ceiling / on the roof. Cute to hear the coo-ing of baby birds waiting to be fed, but not that cute at £200 a night. The room itself was adequate, minus the bathroom which was tiny and lacked any form of shelf for toiletries etc. Odd oversight. Staff: Mainly absent from the check in desk. All very, very young. A general "deer in headlights" air pervaded once a staff member could be tracked down. Fitting, given the name of the inn. Bar and dinning: Bar is cosy with a nice fire place. Shame it closes at 10pm on a Sunday. Too early. Rear dining area is impressive; however, the traditional English breakfast was weak. Fatty bacon, 4x tiny cherry tomatoes and two pieces of dry bread where the low lights. No jam, marmalade, honey or other topping offered. Odd. Oversight? Or just poor training/service? Other amenities: none. Location: Central for the upper high street, castle etc. Would I rebook? Not on your Nelly. Good luck to the White Hart team going forward. Drop the rate and improve the service and breakfast offering. Hopefully it works out.

This is a really lovely hotel. Our room was beautiful and the welcoming treats and notes were very thoughtful. The bed was a dream to sleep in. We had a delicious meal at the newly decorated restaurant. We will definitely be coming back again.

We ate at the resturant and I am blown away with how great it was. Great service, delicious food and despite being late to our booking, very friendly staff. The vegan options were really good and the menu really did cater to all appetites. I have been recommending this to all my friends.

We have visited several times and yet again it didn't disappoint! Food and service excellent. By far the best place in Lewes to eat for good food good surroundings and good service. Value for money in every respect. The menu is extensive serving good Imaginative seasonal dishes.

Our first visit to the restored White Heart Hotel in Lewes and what an experience we had! Heartwood have very sympathetically breathed new life into this lovely old hotel, but the showstopper must be the restaurant and South facing verandah at the rear of the hotel. We have enjoyed many excellent meals at the Red Deer in the centre of Horsham, the menu is the same here and some of our favourite staff have also transferred to Lewes. Service, food and ambience all faultless and, for less than £50 a head, I can think of nowhere that I would prefer to eat.