The second I walked into The Elephant I was transported back to my youth, to a time when you knew what to expect visiting a pub and woe betide anyone who dared rub the landlord up the wrong way.

In a town where Shepherd Neame rules, this is a fairly rare beast – a free house in Faversham.

From the painted façade, pictures of our late Queen and Britain’s greatest prime minister, to superbly politically incorrect facilities this place oozes tradition and quality.

The landlord Jim runs an incredibly tight ship but on the day we were in he was otherwise engaged upstairs and wasn’t due down until 8pm, so we were in the hands of the very capable barmaid Jo.

After much toing and froing, not to mention several taste tests, decisions on drinks were finally taken and my Apprentice chose a 3.8% Spring Tide from the Shivering Sands Brewery at Manston. Labelled as a UPA he said it was particularly hoppy but also had a sharp edge and reckoned it was a darned good pint.

I selected a 4.8% Prohibition from the Kent Brewery in Birling, near West Malling, which describes itself as an American Pale Ale. This is another highly hopped ale and was a fraction too citrusy for my taste, but it certainly packed a punch.

Even Mrs SD was swayed by an impressive array of pumps and although she went for a more obvious, well-known pint, she stuck with the pale ale theme and chose a 5.2% Punk IPA from Brewdog. She has had it before and enjoyed it but said this was a particularly good pint.

I’m told it used to be famed for Elephant pies, which were made specially for the pub, it even used to host free food Thursdays, but these days it’s strictly a food free zone.

We therefore selected snacks, which the barmaid then struggled to reach as the shelf is too high for her - set she says, at ‘landlord level’.

Then, as instructed by the notice, we dutifully moved away from the bar.

There is no music here, it just wouldn’t be right, this is a pub where people come to drink and talk. The first person we spoke to was a lifelong member of CAMRA, with beard of course, who waxed lyrical about the beers offered at this proper old free house and the way they are kept.

I took a brief break to explore the garden at the back, which is maintained equally as immaculately as the rest of the place and, as well as being a top spot to sit, is also packed full of interesting items.

I also discovered the cleverly named Room in The Elephant, which is a fantastic space for a party or other such social gathering and, in keeping with everything else, it is spotlessly kept and marvellously traditional with pictures of Nelson, Elizabeth II and Churchill no less.

Dogs, on leads, are welcome throughout, as are children (similarly restrained, as per order of the management).

Back inside our new CAMRA friend was explaining there is some food available but it is the landlord’s home-made pickled eggs and they come with a warning as he adds his own chilli to them.

I’d already spotted Les at one side of the bar, who was sharing his views on beer mats and life in general, and also noticed the designated Naughty Corner before encountering Refugee Corner in the saloon bar.

I’m told this latter corner needed to be introduced after another local pub closed and regulars transferring to The Elephant needed to be accommodated.

In conclusion I must give special mention to the toilets.

Both the gents and ladies’ facilities are fantastic – not only are they wonderfully old fashioned and authentic but also superbly politically incorrect.

I suspect several photographs I have submitted to the editor will not make it to publication here so you’ll just have to visit The Elephant yourself to view Jim’s excellent selection of slightly risqué pictures from times past.

In a town where most top drinking spots have long been dominated by Shepherd Neame, The Elephant has not only created room for itself, it is leading the herd.

The Elephant, 31 The Mall, Faversham ME13 8JN

Decor: Proper pub furnishings, no fake nonsense or imitation decorations, just great real stuff, from old shell cases to a range of musical instruments. All wonderfully maintained and cared for. *****

Drink: The SD household was able to choose three excellent, different IPAs and there were still plenty of other great beers to choose from. I later moved on to 4.1% Copper Ale from Rother Valley Brewing – another great pint. *****

Price: I have to take responsibility for not getting individual prices, but I can report three pints of IPA and three packets of crisps cost £19.70 and three further pints (without snacks) were later purchased for £13.90. ****

Food: Not really available, so there is no rating, but sample Jim’s chilli, pickled eggs at your own peril.

Staff: Jo the barmaid was chirpy and welcoming, with just a smattering of landlord Jim’s no-nonsense approach. She lightly abraded and cajoled customers in equal measure. ****

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