There were plenty of red flags on the nearby MoD firing range and approaching the Prince of Wales in Hythe the unmistakable sound of gunfire cut through the Sunday lunchtime silence.

But inside, the pub was in full swing so the bustling atmosphere drowned out the cracks and pops of gunshots from outside.

There were several family groups in but just about everyone had a pint of Stella in their hand, apart from the youngsters who clearly had better taste or maybe just weren't old enough for a pint of the Nelson Mandela - do you remember when Stella Artois advertised itself as ‘Looks ugly, tastes great’?

Anyway, I was going to try a pint of Brixton Low Voltage 4.3% IPA but it was off so, on an impulse, I selected a Theakston Mild instead. Mrs SD also went off piste, although her choice was lighter (in colour at least) and she ordered half a Moretti.

Interestingly her half was just 5p cheaper than my pint.

The Prince of Wales is a tricky pub to categorise as it’s an unusual mix of modern and old, with a large selection of tut thrown in. But, to its credit it is bright, light and, while we were in, full of fired up folk enjoying themselves and amusing each other.

Three gents lined up cheek by jowl on a bench like the three wise monkeys and were having a whale of a time, with the little fellow in the middle keeping his two mates royally amused with lager-fuelled musings.

The clash between the carpet and the cloth on the seats was almost as stark as the difference between the mild and the Moretti – Mrs SD reckoned my pint tasted like burnt treacle toffee and I could see her point although, as a one-off, I quite enjoyed it.

The bus stops right outside and several folk had selected this mode of transport to deliver them to the door so they could take advantage of the Sunday roast for £9.

Another couple, suitably attired, had arrived instead on a beast of a Harley that made the pub throb when it roared into life just outside the front window.

The pillion passenger clearly has an eye for detail and once at the bar sent her fella across the room to straighten up a mirror over the fireplace on the far wall, as it was skewed and she couldn’t live with it in this state – it’s a pity she didn’t have a similar distaste for the basket of plastic flowers on the windowsill near us!

There is a dartboard and a pool table in a small room to the left of the main bar but it wasn’t really being used and was acting as a makeshift overflow storage area. I spotted a second dartboard, with trophies on a shelf above, behind the main family dining table.

In line with the mix of old and new there were two fruit machines, one electronic and as bright as the Sun, the other much older and more subdued.

The bar is central and you can walk right round it to get to the other side of the pub. The kitchen and the toilets are at the back, behind the bar.

On my way back from the gents, which were definitely from yesteryear, although clean enough, I passed a couple of kids, excited that they were being allowed to order pudding.

As soon as he’d finished eating the youngest, who looked about three, came running up to us to say hello. He’d obviously taken a bit of a shine to Mrs SD as no matter how many times he was called back by his mum he came running back to our table.

The landlady, her blonde hair tied up in a bun, must have missed lunch because, in between serving and playfully abusing customers, she found plenty of time to pay multiple visits to the kitchen, never failing to return without clutching a fistful of chips.

But the attention of locals was taken by the waitress who was helping her carry out meals – some bright spark at the bar noticed the back of her T-shirt had a slogan which read ‘Never stop exploring’ and several punters chipped in with the mickey taking.

The music was being played at a decent level – loud enough to muffle the gunfire outside, but low enough for you to comfortably hold a conversation.

In many ways this is a very traditional pub – bingo every Sunday at 7.30pm, pizza served from 3pm every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, a bonus ball card behind the bar and a race night advertised. It also hosts live music on a regular basis.

Sure there are a few quirks, both among the furniture and the punters, but the atmosphere felt fine and it had managed to balance those that wanted to eat in a family group with those intent upon downing a good few on a Sunday afternoon.

There’s certainly no pretence or airs and graces but I reckon the next time I’m in the area I’d shoot back in for another pint – let’s hope the Brixton is back on.

Prince of Wales, Dymchurch Road, Hythe CT21 6PG

Decor: The carpet/upholstery combo will knock your socks off and the plastic flowers are definitely surplus to requirements, a little threadbare in place but it’s homely in its own way. **

Drink: It’s a pity the Brixton IPA wasn’t on and the John Smith’s was really a good substitute but it did mean both Mrs SD and I tried something a little different. The mild was dark, rich and creamy and the Moretti exactly as you’d expect. ***

Price: Half a Moretti was £3.25 and a pint of Theakston Mild just 5p more at £3.30. A John Smith’s will set you back £4.20. We didn’t eat but the Sunday roast looked super value at £9. ***

Staff: Everyone was doing a decent job and, as a team, they made sure everyone was effectively watered and fed, including themselves! ****

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