Secret Drinker reviews the Ringlestone Inn, near Harrietsham, between Maidstone and Lenham

whatsoneditor@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 00:26, 23 February 2024 | Updated: 12:02, 26 February 2024

A woman stood out front having a fag, praised my choice of pub even before I managed to get through the door and told me the Ringlestone Inn is her favourite watering hole.

But, typically fickle, when another woman left the pub to join us she quickly changed her tune – the family of woman number two run the nearby Maypole pub at Borden and, all of a sudden, she claimed to have joint favourites.

The Ringlestone Inn, on aptly-named Ringlestone Road, feels as if it’s out in the middle of nowhere, but it’s well worth seeking out

Given I’d already got a woman with me and know only too well that once you get three women together nothing will be decided, I left them all behind and headed into the pub.

I passed numerous fireplaces and enough beams to build an armada before I reached the bar at the back and waited patiently for the barman to appear.

He was busying himself in the cellar but emerged after a few minutes to enquire ‘what’s your poison’?

Reassuringly traditional, everything about the Ringlestone Inn feels as if it hasn’t changed in years

The choice was extensive, including a Racing Tiger (which I discovered at last year’s Faversham Hop Festival) and a good selection from the Curious Brewery (The Apprentice will be sorry he missed this one). However, after a little thought, I chose The Millers from the Canterbury Ales, a 4.2% rustic, proper ruby red, rich, fruity bitter with plenty of taste. I could have selected a number of drinks, but was confident I got it right.

The barman, and his fella, took this place on back in 2019 and they reckon that if you can survive those few years you can survive anything, so they’ve got high hopes for the future of the Ringlestone.

The pub was previously closed, had been empty for 18 months and, by the sound of it, was pretty much a complete wreck when they took in on, but it looks great now. In fairness, he did give his dad, who fortunately happens to be a builder, special mention and say he did do loads of the work.

Carefully maintained with its traditional weatherboard cladding, The Ringlestone can trace its history right back to the reign of Henry VIII

Just one of many stunning fireplaces, the doors of this log burner were left open but there was a sign requesting visitors not to add logs to the fire

By the barman Dalton’s own admission the place was so dark and dingy that when he and his partner first viewed it they had to use the lights on their phones to see. When his dad first saw it in daylight all he said was ‘Why?’

Mind you, it sounds like a bit of a family affair all round as mum also pitches in by helping behind the bar at weekends. Dalton and Paulo have two labradors themselves so when his mum’s great dane arrives joyous doggy chaos ensues, for a while at least. We could hear the two dogs upstairs when we were drinking, so adding an even larger third canine must be deafening.

The Ringlestone Inn has a wonderful history stretching right back to 1533, the very year Henry VIII was marrying wife number two, Anne Boleyn.

You’ll find the bar at the back of the pub – it’s good to see jugs hanging from the beams

I tasted both the Harvey’s Sussex Best and The Miller’s from The Canterbury Ales but felt the latter shaded the taste test

There are beautiful old fireplaces in every room, along with warnings for visitors not to add logs, and the place creaks even more than my aging knees!

We weren’t in to eat but Mrs SD couldn’t resist perusing the menu, just for fun you understand, to see what would be top of her list. For the record, for a main she’d either have the steamed cod with braised chicory for £25.50 or the spinach and ricotta with wild mushrooms for £19.50. Alternatively, you might like to try the seven-course tasting menu for £75. I may just have breathed a small sigh of relief that we’d already eaten.

Mind you, they must be getting something right here because if you want to visit for a Sunday roast you will need to book at least four of five weeks in advance.

I’ve seen similar ‘Rules of the Inn’ poster in a number of pubs but it somehow felt more at home here

And special mention must go the dining room, which has been given the type of makeover which marks it apart from the rest of this rustic, historic inn, with a more formal, ordered layout.

I have to admit Dalton is the perfect front-of-house person and I can’t imagine anyone better to welcome newcomers to this fantastic Grade II listed building in a picturesque spot nestled in the North Downs.

Having anything like darts, pool, or a jukebox here would be sacrilege but Dalton was treating us to his playlist, described as a ‘chill mix’ and, whilst we both approved, Mrs SD was particularly taken with Portishead.

Served with a full, creamy head, The Miller’s was a great ruby red, fruity session bitter. And Mrs SD’s wine was good too

It was late afternoon when we visited and was still quiet, but evening diners had reserved several tables for later and you’ll need to book at least four weeks in advance if you want a Sunday roast

There’s not much more that needs saying about this fantastic old inn, in the middle of nowhere, as the detail in the building sells itself – beams, wooden floorboards, fireplaces and tiled floors.

You’ll feel totally at home in this warm, welcoming environment but, at the same time, sitting amongst these wonderful historic surroundings, you can’t help but be transported back a few centuries.

Finally, I must give a mention to a fourth woman who rates The Ringlestone. Apparently, Mrs SD’s mate did all her courting here and has particularly fond memories of various dark corners.

The dining room at the back of the pub has clearly received a makeover and has a very different feel from the other rooms

This chair doesn’t normally sit behind the bar but was there for a spot of DIY – Paulo was busy attaching a plaque to it

THE RINGLESTONE INN, RINGLESTONE ROAD, HARRIETSHAM, ME17 1NX

Decor: Absolutely stunning, this Grade II listed pub can trace its history back almost 500 years and everywhere you look it oozes tradition – you couldn’t wish for more beams or fireplaces. *****

Drink: I was mightily impressed by my fruity pint of Miller’s Ale, but there were plenty of other choices available. It wasn’t a cheap wine but Mrs SD reckoned it was certainly a very good one. ****

Price: A pint of Miller’s Ale from the Canterbury Ales will set you back a shade over a fiver at £5.10. A large Sauvignon Blanc was a similar smidgeon under a tenner at £9.90. **

Staff: If ever there was a man made for front of house it’s this manager/proprietor Dalton Hopper. Welcoming, warm and an interesting guy to boot. *****