please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
I have visited this pub twice. Each time it struck me as souless, more restaurant than pub. Each time I was left with a feeling that they are thing they are were interesting in was taking your money. This saddens me. It just does not feel right. It feels nothing like a real country pub to me. And I love a good country pub.
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Atmospheric pub in pleasant surroundings serving excellent food with really good table service in particular from the young lad who served us. Pint of Whitstable IPA top notch. Definitely worth a visit
GuyHW - 10 Oct 2014 20:50 |
Attractive pub set on several levels. Mainly geared to set dining in what appear to be regimented and closely packed squares. The front area is the bar area. The packed and dark middle area is the food factory. The outside areas are a small terrace at the front on the road, and a cramped beer garden at the back. Ambiance is Conservative with officious rules about where to go, what to wear, etc. There isn't a relaxed, welcoming or informal atmosphere - just the sense of a place that wants to keep itself orderly and well run in order to maximise profits rather than the customer's enjoyment. Each to their own, and there are plenty who will enjoy this place.
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We called in for a drink on a hot weekday while walking part of the North Downs Way/Pilgrims Way. Lovely pub with multiple areas to eat/drink, including a large garden. The food being served looked delicious, what a pity we'd already eaten our picnic earlier! The staff and service were fine and nothing like as criticised in certain previous reviews.
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I was invited on a evening out last weekend and - woe betide - the group decided, despite my protests, that this pub was a good'un. I protested but eventually relented; I decided to approach with an open mind, the sort of open mind that the owners clearly like to shove down our throats at every turn, if you like! NOTHING has changed, it is full of butch womyn with pixie cuts wearing thick-rimmed pseudo intellectual glasses even though their eyesight is 20:20. One of them got out her iPad - who brings an iPad to a "pub"? I stomached it, I was being polite after all, but couldn't wait to leave. Then came the bill, what a joke, a "£20.00 gratuity lesbianism tariff" had been added, surely this is illegal and discriminatory to boot. I made sure to swipe a copy of the receipt and have forwarded it on to Mary Portas as well as Trading Standards. (Mary Portas did get back to me, but said this tariff was something she had been campaigning for, ludicrous!) .
Mysteryposter, It is unfortunate that you had found issue with my grammar but didn't have anything to say on the pub itself, presumably you are a local scissor sister on the take, trying to promote this pub's lifestyle to everyone, please stop shoving it down our throats, this is a straight society and so it shall stay. Pathetic.
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Yes, benton is certainly on a different planet to the rest of us, his post just doesn't bear any comparison to the pub I visited the other week and quite frankly I think it's just been done for effect. If I was him I would also consider signing on for some evening classes in English.........your grammar is rubbish
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A wonderful pub tucked away in the beautiful Kent Downs. Amazing food at a good price and a good range of 4 ales. We stayed the night and the receptionist was very helpful in accommodating our push bikes and we arrived around 7PM but she still had a smile on her face and made us feel welcome. very helpful staff all round. I think 'benton' must have been on drugs either when he visited the pub or when he wrote the review. An excellent place to eat, drink or stay
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This is a restaurant, rather than a pub. It has a bar by the door (and that is it) , and when we were there the whole place was full of tables set for meals. There is nowhere for drinkers to sit. Beer and staff OK. But it is not a pub, or a place you want to linger. While I was there - and we did eat - the word which kept coming to mind was : pretentious. Not enjoyable.
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I have to say, this pub is bland bland BLAND. We had heard ALL SORTS about it from friends, so paid it a visit, but now I don't understand the reviews here at all. The matron serving was rude, frigid, dowdy and rejected my drunk partner's inappropriate advances - presumably a Magnus Pike, it's just a BIT OF STR8 FUN yes we are straight. The pub is most certainly large, but is more of a wannabe gastro pub than a real boozer - there are better places to eat at, in better company and better surroundings very nearby. But worst of all, the food was VERY disappointing (very long wait as well) so we politely requested to have it for free as we didn't feel we could eat all of it (partner said it tasted like a penis?), but matron declined our request, said we will need to pay for EVERYTHING we ordered! Well I found this to be completely unreasonable and so we politely asked if l we could at least be offered another sirloin each for free as a goodwill gesture, but then OH MY GOD she then asked us to pay for everything or she'll call the police.......!. My partner asked her why we should pay for 100% of something... when we've only eaten 95% of it as we are not like other customers, and then without warning the manager appeared, FLYING across the room like a thing possessed, shouting expletives at us, clicking her fingers incessantly trying to intimidate us, whipping her hair frantically with her subtle lesbian ways. The other guests were clearly amazed at this understated show of sexually-charged power, a real lioness of a lady, dressed in pinafore. The elderly woman on the table adjacent to us began removing her panties, sucking her upper lip and twiddling her hair - I could not take any more of this and we made a dash for it, out of this queer bar and fled the scene without looking back. I cannot give this pub more than a 1/10 rating because I do not agree with this lifestyle at all. Thanks, David and Peter.
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I and a group of friends were touring Kent and choose to stay here for a couple of nights. Although close to several major transport routes, closest of which are the M20, A249 and the Channel Tunnel rail link, the pub nestles comfortably and quietly at the foot of the North Downs in the attractive village of Thurnham.
The front of house bar area is cosy and welcoming, in a traditional part-timbered style with bare wooden floorboards. The restaurant extensions to the rear are sympathetic to this design and comprise of a series of partitioned tiers, sloping away out of view from the main bar. Thus, not intruding on those customers just there for a drink.
Three cask ales were available, with a programme of forthcoming guest ales posted on a blackboard. The Grasshopper Bitter I had was consistently of a good standard. The food served in the restaurant was also of a very good quality. On our first evening, a Tuesday, the restaurant was fully occupied. This may in part be due to the hotel part of the business. The rooms and reception are entirely segregated (and concealed) from the pub & restaurant elements of the inn. Considering that this place has so much to offer, I find it sad that other reviewers comment so little about the wider positive aspects of the business and focus only on apparent minor negatives. Sampling hospitality, food and drink over two days (four meals and two bar sessions) I and my companions agree that this inn is a first rate gem, in all aspects. We wouldn�t hesitate to return if ever visiting the area in the future. Overall, this place is excellent.
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Seems rather downmarket American, drinking out of the bottle.
(I must say, I don't understand the sandwich rule though!)
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Very good service on the whole when we visited, but they have silly rules like you can't drink from bottles and eat food - except sandwiches - out front. Overall though staff were friendly and the service was good. Not cheap though, but food of a good standard and beers okay.
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Very nice olde worlde country pub in a very nice location. Excellent service. Excellent food.
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The recession is biting and Christmas is looming, and my wife and I were the only customers at 12 o'clock on Saturday (although a few more came in later). We were welcomed cheerfully, and seated ourselves by a warm log fire. Food was tasty (steak in ciabatta, with chips) but salad was meagre. We both had sticky toffee pudding. This was a basic pub lunch, nicely prepared and pleasantly served, but the prices reflect the cost of keeping three uniformed waitresses. Grander dishes are available if you want to splash out. We will definitely go back when the weather is better and we fancy pottering along the Pilgrims' Way on our bikes.
If you go to the toilet you might need a string or a trail of crumbs to guide you back to your table - this pub is a fascinating maze!
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Very pleasant place to stop when out walking along the historic Pilgrims Way and public rights of way at the foot of the North Downs near Maidstone. Despite being very much a food-led pub, they do welcome thirsty ramblers (provided you take muddy boots off and leave them in the place provided by the door). Four real ales on, with the local-ish Westerham Grass Hooper being the pick of the bunch. Nice garden when the weather suits.
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I visited here for dinner with some friends and had quite a nice evening. The bar area is in a traditional style, compact and clean with a busy friendly crowd. Drink prices about average for this type of venue with a good choice of lager, ales and wines etc.
Service was a bit slow but then it was a busy Friday evening and it did quiten down later somewhat.
I liked the whole ambiance of the place and this was further evident when we went into the rear eating area where we were greeted by pleasent and friendly staff. We had a mix of Steak and Fish meals which were very tasty if perhaps a little overpriced but we did leave full I must say! There is a very nice outside area with covered tables and an even nicer rear garden with a smoking shelter should you wish to light up.
Overalll a nice night out I'd say. Will use it again if I'm nearbye. NB, you will need to book prior to a visit as it can get busy but dont let that put you off trying the place out.
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Lovely setting and building but I thought the food was overpriced and poor. The chicken burrito was about the quality you might expect at Kentucky Fried Chicken - really artificial tasting and nothing much fresh tasting about it. The starter of whitebait came with about six tiny fish and a thimble of salad. I certainly won't go there again for lunch
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I'm glad to see this place gets good reviews here. I've only been twice but both times the outstandingly good experience has been down to their great food, lovely decor and friendly staff.
Probably the best pub within a 10 mile radius.
Don't tell the Maidstone chavs that though....
x
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A fantastic old pub on the Pilgrims Way. A lovely bar and restaurant with a great menu on both sides - locally made cider and wines and great real ales. Accomodation is available is the well equipped chalets next door and animals are particularly welcoime and accomodated. Great staff morale and service, good food and quality real ale bar. I want to retire here or a place just like it.
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Like previous reviewers I have in the past had good experiences of this pub and its food. Its overpriced but the food has been generally well cooked and well served.Sadly I think the praise has gone to their heads and standards have recently slipped quite alarmingly I ate at the the pub today with 4 other guests and sadly had one of the worst dining experiences I have had in many months (we dine out 3 or 4 times a week).
We booked a table for Sunday lunch but when we arrived the table was not ready and did not become available for nearly 40 minutes although we were able to have a drink at a table in the garden.
Several items on the menu were unavailable and the chicken satay we ordered for 2 of our party arrived uncooked and raw! When we returned it we recieved a curt acknowledgement from the waitress and were advised that they couldn't cook anymore but we could have our money back.The main courses were served wrongly and were of only average standard with huge varaitions in the quantity and quality of the vegatables served with each of the Sunday lunches we ordered
We complained pleasantly and discretely to the Manager who accepted that there was serious errors in the preperation of our food and the service we recieved but was unprepared to reduce our bill.
Needless to say it will be a long time before we return.
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i always said theres never going to be a pub that gets a 10 from me.been a few times again.if your looking for the best sunday roast �9.95{compare this to the hidden charges at the white horse down the road} in the southeast drive here,BUT BOOK!!!.medium rare beef,a huge portion,al dente veg{be-aware they are cooked as they should be}a hugeeeeeeeeee yorkie.really good ale,fine wine..now got rooms for dodgy assignations and weekly entertainment in the bar.it is virtually perfect.i dont like pubs that have two sittings for dinner and this prevents it getting the 10.it gets a big "NINE POINT NINE.
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where do i start,this is prob my fav place.this place is food lead but the beers are nice and you get a country pub feel about the bar area.theres a rango of country wines available and they are lovely with a splash of sosa as they come up sweeter than grape wine.try a mix of strawberry wine with a dry sparkling white.they do a fantastic bottle of pink bubbles for 13 quid,no need to spend a fortune on champagne.open log fires and folk with dogs just give it a reall welcoming local feel.never cliquey.the food is first class with a kitchen team.they have specails available during lunchtimes which i believe is about 8 quid for 2 courses, being a couple of simple starters and the same main choice.the price rises to 13 quid in the eves but remains grt value food cooked by chefs and not pub cooks.the outside seating offers dabbled shade in the sun and open garden area.they now have really nice rooms,so if you want to take your partner away for a romantic surprise look no further.if you have seen any of my revies b4 you will know im very critical about food and drink and staff.the staff here are eastern european,a trend at the mo,and they are grt.they know the menu and you dont get them walking off to find out what your going on about to the chef.just a joy.ive never given a pub/resturant a 10,but this is sooooooooo close.this place has a sister pub,"The angel" at addington.another nice place.go!!
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One of the best pubs I have been to in the UK. Went on a Saturday night for dinner, and the place was FULL. Despite this, the food and wine was of top quality, and served promptly by friendly staff (and not overpriced IMO). I live in NW London, but would travel back to Kent just to eat and drink here again.
anonymous - 1 May 2007 15:21 |
Excelent pub. Beer was well kept and was fairly quiet when we went there in the afternoon for a late lunch. The staff were helpful (we had a family of American tourists with us) and polite (they didn't just speak Polish either). The food was excelent and not long in waiting for. Seating outside in the shade or inside with the French windows open, even the toilets smelled nice.
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Good ales, food is big business here but as a result the waiting staff are excellent as is the food. Not that cheap but well worth is on a special occasion. We had 13 in there for my 30th. Good Kentish Pride beer to.
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