A beer garden attached to a village public house in Sussex has been crowned the finest in the United Kingdom.

This recognition follows research conducted by whisky cask supplier Spiritfilled, which examined TripAdvisor reviews specifically mentioning pub gardens.

The Black Horse establishment in Rottingdean, situated close to Brighton, secured the leading position.

The analysis revealed the venue had accumulated 108 five-star ratings that referenced its outdoor area.

The Black Horse holds the distinction of being the oldest public house in Rottingdean, with its origins traced to 1513, and offers an extensive selection of beverages, featuring locally brewed ales.

The establishment commented that they focus on providing a diverse range of traditional pub fare alongside gastronomic options, all prepared using fresh ingredients obtained from nearby suppliers, alongside an impressive Sunday roast selection.

The venue maintains a 4.3 out of 5 rating on TripAdvisor based on over 850 assessments, demonstrating its appeal among both residents and visitors to the area.

One patron wrote that they gathered with their son and daughter-in-law in Rottingdean to mark their husband’s birthday, with the group selecting The Black Horse as their destination.

The reviewer expressed delight at this choice, noting the cuisine was outstanding, comprising three servings of roast lamb and one portion of hake with chips.

Staff members received praise for their friendliness and attentiveness, with the only regret being the distance from home.

Another visitor described attending on a Tuesday evening with a party of seven people.

The reviewer stated it was the finest pub roast dinner they had consumed in quite some time, sampled from the seasonal menu.

Fellow diners also lauded the fish and chips offering, leading to a strong endorsement.

A third contributor described the roast as absolutely outstanding, complimenting both the warm welcome and the bar team following an enjoyable walk along the under-cliff path from Brighton, with a wholehearted recommendation.

The Black Horse was not the sole venue from the area to feature in Spiritfilled’s top 50 compilation.

Two additional establishments made the list: the Signalman located in Brighton and Hove, and the Anglesey Arms situated in Chichester.