Beer Festival @ The Bull 10-12th October
Hog roast, BBQ & Live music, 5 ciders/perries

20+ ales from around the UK (as selected by the ale-loving regulars):

BEOWULF Dark Raven (4.5)
BEOWULF Dragonsmoke Stout (4.7)
BEOWULF Finns Hall Porter (4.7)
BREWDOG Hype (4.1)
BREWDOG Punk IPA (6.0)
BREWSTER Hophead (3.6%)
BREWSTER Hop-a-doodle-doo (4.3)
BREWSTER Wicked Woman (4.8)
DARK STAR Hophead (3.6)
DARK STAR ?? (Festival Special, 4.5)
DARK STAR Imperial Stout (10.5)
MARBLE Pint (3.9)
MARBLE JP Best (4.3)
MARBLE Ginger Marble (4.5)
NEWBY WYKE Sidewinder (3.8)
NEWBY WYKE Riverside Special Bitter (4.8)
PURITY Pure Gold (3.8)
PURITY Pure UBU (4.7)
THORNBRIDGE Lord Marples (4.0)
THORNBRIDGE Katipo (5.4)
THORNBRIDGE Jaipur IPA (5.9)

This pub just keeps going from strength to strength. Be sure to get there early, these rarely seen beers are almost guaranteed to sell out quickly!Great food and a wide variety great Ales every week. If you very lucky they will have Summer lightning on, but dont blink or it will be gone.Visited on a lovely July evening (yes, there was one). A classic unpretentious freehouse, with wonderful views from the garden and a great Dark Star. One of the best 50 pubs in the country by my reckoning.

I am not really happy with this pub, it makes me feel uncomfortable in there. There seems to be a lot of gypsies/traveller types that come to this pub. Aside from that, the beer and ales are alright - the variety is interesting but I go to the pub for the atmosphere - not just for local ales/beers. Sometimes, it almost seems there are private parties going on there on a regular basis... quite intimidating.The Man of Kent is top of the BITE ratings? Long may it continue as it's as close as I've found to the perfect pub. A bit intimidating from the outside and quite scruffy inside, the place has plenty of character. Friendly staff, a good mix of customers and, as others have said, an excellent range of beers on tap and in bottles. There's also a friendly pub dog, a nice beer garden, an open fire in winter and some interesting seating areas from the very depths of the 70s. If you're ever in the Medway area you really should track the MoK down. A very rare 10/10.Trainman has said it all already. Totally real perfect pub. I was first punter of the day and the pint was still impeccable. Unchanged since my last visit about 3 years ago and long may it stay that way. If only it was a bit nearer to Craggy Island. Its not often I say this but DRINK is the word!

Now re-opened under new(competent)management. Good selection of real ales properly kept and reasonably priced. Good pub food served daily 1-4pm and a home-cooked Sunday roast available (£11.00 for 2). Live bands 2/3 times a week with an open mic night on Wednesdays. Worth a visit particularly on Wednesdays or if Wasted Aces are playing - great local band.Oh dear, this didn't last long did it? It was always empty when I went in but in saying that the beer range if not exciting was at least served well.

One of the problems seemed to be that it was a bit of a fish out of water, neither a real ale boozer nor a gastropub nor indeed a music venue. It tried to be a bit of everything and failed. Perhaps they missed a trick here as what Orpington is missing is a decent family pub serving good beer and good food to the (quite large ,) family market that exists in the area. The only pub in the area that welcomes (if you can call it that is the Wetherspoons and whilst that has its plus points, it also has drawbacks.

I hope someone else gives it a go as that part of the high street needs a decent real ale outlet to rival spoons.

Only time will tell.Appears to be closed as there is a note in the window saying "closed until further notice sorry for any inconvenience" so I don't no what's happened there then.

Thank God for your marvelous pub Doris .. forever the best hostelry in the World as far as I am concerned. Long may you reign.I'm with the majority on this one. Nobody who has read the reviews could be in any doubt what to expect so, if you don't like this sort of pub, don't go there. On the other hand, if you like good beer, old-fashioned entertainment, conversation and a generally cosy feeling, then this is the pub for you. If agc2070 can really do the walk from the station in 10 minutes, he/she must be very fit!!Caught in a timewarp, yet so close to the large population in the South East. Long may it remain different.
Ale's kept very well.

This is my favorite pub in this area, unfortunately its 7 miles from my house in Petts Wood, so I cycle, walk, train or pop in on my way back from the M25. Larkins (unbelievable taste for a 3.4). & Whitstable IPA are always on tap and its hard to leave them alone, but there’s also well kept brilliant guest ales and most importantly for me the front bar is separate and food free, occasionally there’s the odd local with a B.O. problem (tell him about Lifebuoy guys), but apart from that, this pub is just about as good as it gets.A wonderful community pub with welcoming atmosphere. Excellent quality beers featuring Kentish beers as regulars as well as a range of guests. Don't leave without sampling the range of food but don’t forget you will need to book for the Sunday lunches.Went back today with friends for the 'infamous' Sunday Lunch. The Maxi is ENORMOUS ! Proper home cooked food and lots of it. Plenty of different vegetables and superb meat (Beef or Pork) which the Landlady explained was sourced from a local 'old fashioned' butcher. Tasted Great! Atmosphere was warm and welcoming. Staff were friendly and helpful. We will definitely be returning and telling our friends!

More of a gastro pub feel to the place since the referb. Nice relaxed atmosphere on Saturday afternoon. Bar staff were pleasant and cheery. Didn’t sample the beer personally as was driving, but was told it was good. Will definitely give it another go.A huge amount of work has been put into revamping this place and with great success. We visited one warm summer evening to find a huge, spacious beer garden, atmospherically lit, which grew popular as the evening progressed. Inside it's very open, perhaps with a little bit too much room.

The food is on the expensive side but the quality backs up the heftier price tags, which is a nice surprise in an area where pubs are not known for their high-quality fare.

The staff are friendly enough, no cause for complaint even if one or two youngsters seemed a little inexperienced - this happens everywhere.

Goes to show what considered time and money can actually do for a place if the right changes are made. Will be going back.We visited the The Bickley (as it has been renamed) on Sunday. The beer was well kept although unfortunately, only Bombardier was on and no sign of any other hand pump ales. There was 12 in our party and the food was on first impressions on the expensive side (compared with other pubs in the area) but the size of the portions and the quality made it very apparent why this was the case. We will definitely be visiting again.

I was in the Crown last Saturday night and to my delight i did not see Nancy Heath. Thats because she's too busy trying to put the pub down on this website disguised as Henna75. Well Nancy, you nasty piece of work, everybody now knows it's you so if i where you i'd be worried. Do us all a favour, dissapear from Edenbridge before you do damage that you won't recover from.in the crown on saturday night, band playing they werent bad, nice area outside for a fag, left and continued my pub crawlNever in the crown until saturday night, there was a band playing they were very good! I had been to the King and Queen which was disappointing did not feel safe, then went to eden nice but a bit quiet, so wandered into the crown good atmosphere will go there again, the bar staff were easy on the eye!

everyone in edenbridge seems to be talking about this pub at the moment because there has been trouble in it, i think the landlord needs to try a bit harder to get rid of the rifraf that is using this pub!As an ex governor of a pub did not feel comfortable in the king and queen saturday evening, lots of men outside loud and rude, some I had banned from my own pub. Went to edenbridge on saturday night to have a few pints, very disappointed lots of louts outside the pub shouting abuse at people walking bye bad karma inside the pub left as I thought there was going to be a row, went to eden it was a bit quiet but felt safe. Was in the pub a couple of weeks ago lot of footballers in there agains thought might have been a row, very upset as I used like using this pub, dont live in edenbridge but always popped over about twice a month.

Always a pleasure to sample how a good ale should taste.. Frequent with confidence.I’d heard good things about this place and as I was in the area I thought I’d give it a go. If you didn’t know better, this is the sort of pub that you would take one look at, cross the road and go somewhere else. From the outside it looks rough. As you walk in it you would be forgiven for thinking “local pub for local people”, and walking straight back out again. Very fast! The place looks scary
But the locals are actually quite welcoming. There’s five ales on, all well kept, and the bar staff are only too happy to give tasters. There’s a downstairs area for those who like to shout at sport on the telly, and an upstairs area for those who don’t. Apparently it’s the Thanet CAMRA “Pub of the Year”. It’s a good back street boozer – I’d certainly go back again, and will do when I’m next in Thanet.
great jukebox, friendly atmos, very good beer and pretty fine decor. Best of British pubs !

tried ths pub out as first time in whitstable and wasn't disappointed. great beers, friendly staff, chatty locals and and a larger than life landlord. they must have known i was coming cos they even put mmy favourite seafood out on the bar at lunchtime! if i lived in whitstable this would definitely be my local. was lucky they didn't do accommodation as i would have stayed there too! can't wait to go back. can you tell i'm a fan?!As pub names go, The Ship Centurion Arminius ha to be up there with the most bizarre, yet there is nothing odd about this place, no, like the other pubs visited by this reviewer on his Bank Holiday (5 May) visit to the coast, it was a pleasure. The exterior is inviting as it is, but even more so for the ale aficionado as a ‘CAMRA Pub Of The Year’ banner hangs proudly above the door, Inside this airy and bright establishment, pictures of the town in times gone by adorn the walls along with a couple of TV’s for sport. There is also another room to the rear of the pub with a larger screen to accommodate bigger groups. It was fairly busy on my late-afternoon visit and the regulars within seemed friendly. Several ales were on offer and my pint of Adnam’s was just right. There is sadly no beer garden, but hey, you can’t have everything. This is another good ‘un in the town of Whitstable. Can't keep away, great pub, great lager (bitburger, erdinger & Black Budvar) and very welcoming staff and locals. I'm thinking off moving to Whitstable!!

Perfect place. Quiet, with lovely Larkins on tap. One for locals, cyclists and walkers. Pretty area and no fuss, gimmicks, nonsense or kids. A rare treat. As earlydrinker says, a gem. The Larkins Traditional (3.4%abv) was delightful in the June sunshine this afternoon. Customers arrived in mud-spattered vehicles fresh from the farm,; others sat enjoying lunch in a quiet corner of the brick-floored bar. Outside several dogs lazed sleepily while their owners drank and chatted under the naked siren sitting on the eponymous rock on the pub sign...

You'll probably need an OS map to find the Rock, but I think it's worth it.

Cheers,Since I suggested adding this pub, perhaps I'd better write a review. I was hoping others would comment first, since I've only been in once in the last year or so. The place seemed exactly as it's always been -very quiet when I was there, with just a few locals chatting amiably. The same old uneven brick floors, 'Ringing the Bull' still there (same old bull, or buffalo, or whatever it is).
The main difference from the old days was the beer. This is, as far as I know, Larkin's Brewery's only pub -more or less the brewery tap, simnce it's just down the road; so it's the place to go to sample the full range. The limited quantity I tried was in excellent nick.
Surrounded by lovely country, in a perfect setting - well worth a visit.

This Pub Is Now Under New Management!

Friendly.
Family Run.
I live nearby and pop in usually while waiting for my currey next door! I like the blackboard outside telling me whats on pump. They have a guest ale every week and they are always very good. My gripe would be that there is always music on way too load. The pub still has a dowdy feel and the tables lay out needs improving. However, if its a good pint with very friendly service your're after, then this pub delivers. Thet also have daily newspapers. Always a plus swith me (they need to change the Daily Mail to a broadsheet though!. Another pint please..!Great pub love to be in it more often but live a long way away but great manager is ANN and JACKIE hope they carry on for a long time

Hopefully the new management will keep the unsavourys at bay, Once shot of them,they may have a chance in making a success of the pub.There is a new manager in the pub. We are sorry to hear that you have not all had a good time in the pub in recent times. Please do not hesitate to let us know of any suggestions that you may have as they are all welcome. We will try our best to read and act on as many suggestions as we are able to.
We hope to see you all soon and welcome you to join us in having a good time.Definitely not closing. New guy running the place. What suggestions do you guys have? Some of the comments are spot on, the kitchen was a disgrace!

My suggestions for a good pub;
-Real Ale
-Show Major Sports Events
-Live Music nights
-No Burberry Caps or underage yobs
...any more???

If they don't know what is wanted, how can they provide?

Worth the Hike, I walked to it via very quite lanes from Kemsing, and back from it on good footpaths to The North Downs Way, friendly, good beer, excellent location and happy beer drinking locals - which is always a good sign.Monday lunchtime was supprisingly busy, very good real ales and fresh food I choose the cheese ploughmans with was excellent it was accompanied by loads of crusty french stick. There was only two tables not taken! I was told by the landlord that the restaurant will be extended in the near future.
My wife picked the sausage and onion bagette which was quite large as well.
The staff were very good and friendly, asked us where we had been or where we were going to and I can honestly say that we will make a return visit up the winding lane very soon. Thank you for such a delightful afternoon.A proper english country pub! I went with my wife on Wednesday evening, great atmosphere around the open fire a good mixture of local and non-locals alike. Had a good selection of ales and the food was all freshly cooked.

It must be stunning in the summer.
Will definately be making this a more regular visit.

great variety of beers brewed on the premises, and a very good home-cooked food selection.
This place is a gem. While there, look into the old church - the tower is mid 9th century and the interior just oozes old England.Had a thoroughly enjoyable evening here yesterday without any of the problems previously documented. Not as tricky to find as you might think. There were a range of 4 of the microbrewery's ales on - of which the Cygnet was certainly the pick of the bunch but all were good.

Food was pricy but of an excellent standard. The lamb cutlets were succulent, juicy rib-eye steak cooked to perfection & the mustard mash fluffy & zesty. Far from being rude, we found the bar manager to be amiable & more than willing to chat about the history & operation of the on-site brewery.

One tip: revise the terms of male & female swans before going if you don't want to end up in the wrong toilets. I guessed correctly but another member of the collectiv didn’t!

We shall definitely return on a summer's afternoon to enjoy the pub & its surroundings 'ale fresco'.Popped in recently , helpful staff , beer in good condition .Great atmosphere with a nice crowd and a good fire going. Had the steak which cost around £14-15 , rather poor . Well presented with nice vegetables but for the quality of the meat it really should have been half the price .....shame .
As previously mentioned this place should be scoring 9+ but they always seem to manage to grasp defeat from the jaws of victory . A mystery.....