please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Truly wonderful. The only beer available is the lovely Larkins Traditional, served in great condition. Beware the restricted opening hours.
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What a little gem! All previous comments still hold true. Here's to nostalgia :-)
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Here you will find a totally undeveloped rural public bar, much as it would have been a century ago. It is wonderfully spartan, there is no lager, no choice of beer in fact, only a fine pint of Adnams Bitter. Not to be missed, if only for a chance to escape the marketing men and reflect on how modern consumer culture is terribly overrated when compared to a warm welcome, pleasant conversation and tasty ale.
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Went in September and again on 4th December. This is iconic. You walk in and are transported back fifty years and more. Ilove the unusual, the darts scoring aparatus, the quiet side room with tables arranged around the outside of the room.....NO Lager Sold Here
I could go on.
100/10
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not been in for about five years,elsie is an icon,lots of love....
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For more than a decade I've been passing 'Annie's Pub' en route to other places, and have never been in the vicinity anywhere close to its very restrictive opening hours. Happily, I finally managed to gain ingress to the hallowed portals of this renowned and fabled old pub today. I was in no way disappointed! The only ale on is Adnams Bitter, but that is on account of its limited trade. And it is possibly some of the most well-conditioned I've had - I'd forgotten how worthy this beer can be when served properly. The joint was jumping - despite looking closed most of the time I understand it really comes alive when the doors are open, and everyone was in slight awe of just how well-preserved the place is. Very little change since Annie's time, and sadly that is such a rarity these days. At 87 Elsie is frail but is wheeled in to chat with punters and keeps her hand in. Rumour her it that the pub will die with her, so it's a privilege to experience it while we can. Indeed, it's been unviable for years but thanks to the local hunt and Admiral Taverns' patience, it remains trading. No food, no games, no children's room, and definitely no lager! A defiant and delightful oasis which is as friendly as it is fascinating. Time it carefully, and you can discover it for yourself.
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We popped in here for a quick one on Sunday and the place is happily alive and kicking, currently being opened by a keen bunch of volunteers now Elsie is too elderly to manage (she did put a brief appearance in though). The beer on tap was Adnams and the interior of the two-bar building unchanged in the last century or so. The Queens Head is a unique, friendly pub and long may it continue to be so.
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I'm pleased to be able to reassure rashmack that his fears are ungrounded. The pub is still fully operative. I was there last night to see the excellent Trio Threlfall, and the place was packed. The Adnams' was in fine fettle, the sausage rolls likewise, and though Elsie herself was not in evidence, she's reportedly continuing to make a good recovery. The sign has indeed fallen off the wall, though.
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Past by last weekend and the sign on the side of the pub was on the ground. Are my worst fears correct and have Elsie and this beautiful pub ceased to be. Please tell me not.
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Elsie is has not been well, and has now returned from hospital in Tunbridge Wells. We all send her our good wishes and and wish her a speedy recovery.
Michael.
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In fact this pub locally is still known as Annie's - by all local people from the surrounding area, Cowden, Hever, Mark Beech, Edenbridge, Chiddingstone & Penshurst. Elsie's mother was Annie, who ran the pub for many years and held the record in England for the longest serving licensee.
I note other comments state this pub is reffered to as Elsie's - but this only by folk who live outside this area.
By Meadzo - Penshurst.
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Remains a timeless, unspoilt and special place...
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Charming old pub with a charming landlady. Adnams Bitter on and nothing else. I really liked it and the people were so friendly I would go back in a shot.Totally unspoilt .Oh and the dog got a couple of Bonio's too!
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A national-inventory time warp pub, known locally as Elsie's (Elsie is, of course, the proprietor who was born here in 1924 and is still behind the bar 85 years later). If Elsie is behind the bar, she's a good conversationalist and will tell you all about the Canadian soldiers who frequented the place during the war!
The three ancient handpumps offer just one beer - Adnams Broadside - which was in reasonable condition. As mentioned elsewhere (and on a notice outside the door) there's no lager, just ale a few spirits and some soft drinks. There's also (as I noticed on a sign) NO children's room and NO ice!
Keep an eye for the ancient darts scoring machine. There's a music session once a month - we were leaving just as Les Onions (AKA Count Vernon Dudley Bohay-Nowell from the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band) which looks like good fun.
Now if we gloss over some of the 'ahh' factor, there's one main fault with the place - it needs some paintwork and a bit of renovation here and there. The gents in particular were most uninviting. I'd find it hard to stay beyond a pint of curiosity value really.
Overall, worth a visit for the heritage value (which applies equally to the landlady as well as the pub!) but there needs to be a bit of work done to make it a s good as it should be.
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Only one or two pubs left like this in the South of England. Firstly, the pub is untouched since victorian times, the pub has remained in the same family for three very long generations. elsie the current owner is in her eighties and though not particularly enjoying the best of health she is more than happy to show any unruly customers where the door is! our coach party recieved wonderful hospitality, the pub opened early and wave after wave of sausage rolls appeared as if by magic. Most of the party were keen CAMRA members but one or two lager drinkers came along, sadly elsie has NEVER served lager and the mere mention of "That noo fangled stuff " is enough to earn a life time ban, which having known the lady for thirty plus years will extend to any off spring that you may have.An experience that should NOT be missed. It is very hard to get to without some form of transport.I must just add that it tickled me pink to watch the lager drinkers standing outside with their hands deeply in their pockets whilst we enjoyed Elsie's beery offerings( unconfined joy ! ). 10/10 PLUS !
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Elsie's? 'Cute'? Good grief....
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Unfortunately this pub is still 'cute' but has gone downhill from when I last went in there. Grubby glasses, slow to clear tables, usual locals propping up the bar, better off in the King and Queen......
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A total gem. I have visited this pub once or twice with a group of friends at the turn of the century. Completely unspoilt, timewarp pub, where time really has stood still for generations.
I beleive there's just one beer on (the same on three pumps) and a delightful lady of a certain age running the hostelry, albeit with a little assistance from younger friends or family.
My rating is based upon my experiences in 2000. And if the pub remains as it was that year, the marking is well deserved.
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