I’ve visited the village Harrietsham between Maidstone and Lenham a number of times in the last few years but I never thought it had a pub.

Now I’ve discovered Percival’s Rest on West Street I have to say I’m still not sure.

Is it a bar, a restaurant, a meeting place for people avoiding the school pick-up traffic or a community hub offering information to tourists?

There was plenty of parking available, unlike down the road at the primary school where it was tough to even turn round.

The solid grey/green double doors gave no clue as to what lay within, but the welcome sign over the door was certainly large enough so we entered the large, open bar area just as George Ezra was describing his hidden treasure chest and golden grand piano.

There are several big screens on the walls and both the furniture and lighting could be described as trendy, although the books you are encouraged to borrow and the pile of board games are a nod to the past.

I was desperate to use the facilities so in a rare moment of weakness I passed Mrs SD my wallet and left her not only to order, but also pay, for our drinks.

This decision firstly led me into a corridor to the toilets, where I was treated to a potted history of the Pilgrim’s Way which felt a little bit like I’d wandered into a museum for children.

Secondly, it led to a pint of Cruzcampo, rather than a Harvey’s, and a large NZ SB at a tenner a glass.

Up to speed on the famous Winchester to Canterbury walk, and with drinks in hand, we found a table by the window and spent a few minutes quietly people watching. The confusion over the identity of Percival’s Rest wasn’t helped by its clientele – this ranged from tracksuit trouser-clad locals powering through pints of lager to ladies in smart quilted coats sipping prosecco.

Before I forget, I should report that the gents toilets were tiled from floor to ceiling, very smart and extremely fresh and well presented. They were also a good deal warmer than the rest of the place.

There were quite a few regulars in and the majority seemed to favour stools at the bar but even this wasn’t enough to swing it and I still couldn’t quite convince myself this qualifies as a pub.

Books and board games it does have, but you won’t find darts, pool, a jukebox or any fruit machines.

Next door to the bar area, which was now quickly filling up with dog walkers, was a huge deserted restaurant area, created mainly from a large rounded conservatory. This was also well decorated and looked to be set ready for a small army of diners to descend at any moment.

Back in the bar we’d been joined by a springer spaniel to our left, which had clearly been enjoying himself swimming though muddy puddles before he came in, and a schnauzer to our right, dressed in a very snazzy jacket.

But it was the big cat sat opposite us in the bar which really took us by surprise! I’m being a little unfair as the lady in question looked very smart in her leopard-print dress and was very happily sipping on her pink gin.

On our table was a notice claiming the Percival’s Rest harbours the village’s best-kept secret – it hosts a monthly Secret Supper Club, with a specially created menu by chef patron Adam Wrench.

It’s nothing new to see stacks of people on their phones when they’re out and about, even when they’re sat opposite each other, but there were no less than three people here choosing to converse on their speaker phone, which really isn’t on, no-one wants to share other folks’ mundane mutterings – why do they do it?

As we left there was a solitary soul sat outside in his hi-vis carefully studying his mobile phone. He’d parked his truck nearby in the car park but maybe he hadn’t ventured inside as he too wasn’t entirely sure this was a pub.

PERCIVAL’S REST, WEST STREET, HARRIETSHAM, MAIDSTONE ME17 1HX

Decor: It was comfortable and the furnishings and decoration were smart enough, but it didn’t create the feel of a pub and I was left a little confused as to what it wanted to be? **

Drink: There was Harvey’s Sussex Best available on tap but I’d had a Cruzcampo lager selected for me and it was a decent enough pint. Mrs SD had, no surprise here, chosen a New Zealand Sav Blanc but said it wasn’t as good as she’d hoped. **

Price: Sadly I’m unable to tell you the price of a pint of Harvey’s, but I can tell you a Cruzcampo was £5.25 and Mrs SD’s wine almost twice that price at £10. **

Staff: Mrs SD reported that the barman and barmaid were friendly enough but they had served locals ahead of her and continued to talk to them while they served her. **

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