West Sussex restaurant hailed 'best in the south east'

Chalk Restaurant on the Wiston Estate at Washington has scooped ‘gold’ and been named Restaurant of the Year at the Beautiful South Tourism Awards for Excellence 2025.

The restaurant prides itself on celebrating Sussex’s seasonal produce in the heart of the South Downs. It states: “We aim to create dishes that express the nature, heritage, and purpose of the land we share.

“Our dinners are a set estate menu – a set six course dinner showcasing produce grown, farmed and foraged on Wiston Estate and the Sussex Coast.”

The restaurant’s gold award was revealed at a ceremony at Brighton’s Grand Hotel during which a total of 72 awards were presented. Runner up with a silver award in the Restaurant of the Year category was Terra Restaurant at Tottington Manor in Henfield.

The venue was also commended in the awards’ ‘small hotel’ category and commended in ‘The Wedding Venue of the Year.’

Meanwhile, Tottington Manor employee Amelia Killick won ‘silver’ in the awards’ ‘Unsung Hero’ category.

In a separate category, Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens near Horsham was commended in the class of ‘Large Visitor Attraction of the Year.’

Fran Downton, chief executive of Tourism South East, said: “The south east continues to set a high bar, and everyone recognised should feel incredibly proud.”

Awards’ director Nell Barrington added: “It was a brilliant celebration with such a positive atmosphere. The winners were outstanding and really show what makes the south east so special.”