Now, let’s be fair right from the start, the food we had was good, as were the drinks, but a Saturday evening out in Sandwich didn’t feel like popping out to the pub.

We were last at the Kings Arms Hotel on Stand Street more than a decade ago and on that occasion only got as far as the garden.

We didn’t set foot inside the pub previously, but memories of that summer visit 10 years ago are very pleasant, a lovely garden, decent food and a good few refreshing beverages – there was even a band playing.

This time around, the car park was full in February so we parked opposite the pub in the pay and display by the river.

Gaining entry to the Kings Arms was the first challenge as there’s no front door, in fact there’s not even a side door, you need to go round the back and walk through the car park.

Walking past the open kitchen door to the right and the gents on the left we headed further along the corridor beyond the pay phone and into the bar.

The whole place is set up for dining but the bar had a nice log fire burning, with the compulsory dog asleep by the side of it, and a long row of stools in front of the pumps. However, the tables were full in here so we were directed back across the corridor into the dining room.

Walking in here was like stepping back 40 years at least and I was reminded of B&B dining rooms from yesteryear with brasses on the wall and ancient lampshades sitting on wooden stands.

The wallpaper was more up-to-date than the rest of the furnishings and only transported us to the 1970s – those old enough to remember Pulp’s song Disco 2000 will be well aware of the relevant lyric.

There were a couple of beers on tap and, after sampling them, I chose a pint of Adnams Ghost Ship, a 4.5% IPA, over the 4% Harvey’s best bitter.

It was busy with everyone sat obediently at their tables – there is no dartboard, no pool, no drinkers at the bar, no jukebox and certainly no band.

In fact, there’s no music of any sort and you do feel the need to keep your voice down, not that everyone did. It wouldn’t be fair to share some conversations but there was an in-depth debate on the next table about whether milk should be added to tea or vice versa.

The inn can trace its history back to Tudor times and whilst I’m sure my chair wasn’t 500 years old it did creak alarmingly and apart from one brief visit to the toilet I was on my best behaviour and sat very still.

The gents, by the way, are as traditional as everywhere else and well maintained – there was a miniature mirror and an even smaller window.

Mrs SD reported the ladies were also well kept – and, they were treated to moisturiser, pot plants and artwork.

The menu was extensive, perhaps a little on the expensive side, and a fair few meals were also 1970s throwbacks. The lightest bite I could find was the scampi, which was really good, and Mrs SD went bangers and mash.

We were served by the mother and daughter team with the daughter taking the lead role.

There was something a little Acorn Antiques about the whole event with them first blaming the ‘stupid doors’ for bumping into each other and then scaring each other.

The electric fire had been turned off not long after we arrived but several diners were still in their jackets and one requested it was switched back on. Sadly the chilly, somewhat stilted and fairly boring atmosphere wasn’t going to be enlivened by simply raising the temperature a notch or two.

Before we shared a pud, a New York style cheesecake (well I did get a bite!) I ordered a Warsteiner pilsner and this German lager, also on tap, was another good pint.

The sweet was also tasty but again a tad pricey.

The confusion continued as Mrs SD settled the tab – she told mum what we’d had and the food totalled up fine, but despite explaining what we’d drunk several times I’m sure we must have been undercharged.

During the chat mum also revealed she’d worked here for more than 15 years so she was probably around last time we were in - if anything time has stood still and our original visit was probably better.

If traditional is your thing then this could be for you, if you enjoy a real time warp then it definitely is.

The food’s good, if a little expensive for what it is, and the drink’s absolutely fine, the staff are also friendly but confusion can reign in this pub that time forgot.

Kings Arms Hotel, 65 Strand Street, Sandwich CT13 9HN

Decor: From the place mats to my squeaky chair and everything in between the whole place is firmly locked into the middle of last century. Looking around the Kings Arms it is favoured by folk who might remember such furnishings fondly. **

Drink: A couple of decent beers available, I chose the Adnams IPA over Harvey’s Best but they were both well kept. It’s also good to find a different lager on tap and I enjoyed the German Warsteiner pilsner. ****

Price: The scampi and chips was £12.95 and the sausage and mash £13.95. A pudding will cost you £6.95 and an espresso coffee £2.50. Unfortunately there was some confusion regarding the price of the drinks so I’m not able to report these. **

Staff: Friendly and helpful but it somehow felt you were never more than a few minutes away from the next calamity. If chaotic time travel’s your thing you’ll love it. ****

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