Arundel has been mentioned previously. This is quite a nice pub full of character
http://www.swanarundel.co.uk/... it's just a few minutes from where I live and we often visit on a Friday night ... they do fish and chips to die for.
If you like antiques, tea rooms and a cathedral there is more than enough to keep you from going to Brighton in the town.
If it's some time since you have been to Brighton you might not be aware of the congestion and the parking charges. Personally I would jump on the train at Angmering and get the train into Brighton .. less stressful.