More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
57. THE PAVILION, BROADSTAIRS
When the sun’s shining there is no better spot than the beer garden at The Pavilion, Broadstairs. It sits in a suntrap location off Harbour Street and offers some lovely views of Viking Bay, the beach and harbour. On a good day the sun reflects off the sea making it look sparkly. On an overcast day The Pavilion is still a good choice – even if a cold pint has to be substituted for a hot coffee. A recent addition is a covered area of the terrace so you can still be close to the sea.
Postcode: CT10 1EU
Contact: www.pavilion-broadstairs.co.uk
58. THE OLD COACH AND HORSES, HARBLEDOWN
For those looking to while away a summer’s afternoon or evening, Harbledown’s Old Coach and Horses pub is just the spot. Its steeply terraced garden commands views across quaint tiled rooftops to the county’s gently rolling hills beyond. Harbledown sits on the ancient pilgrims’ route into Canterbury and is a brisk walk or easy cycle ride from the historic city’s centre. Grab a table in the beer garden and you’re rewarded with a glorious snapshot of Kentish countryside. The Coach and Horses offers a range of beers and wines, as well as a locally-sourced menu.
Postcode: CT2 9AB
Contact: www.theoldcoachandhorses.co.uk
59. THE GROVE PANTRY PUB & INN, UPSTREET
Take a load off in the summer and head down to the Grove Pantry. Whether it’s for an afternoon beer or a family picnic, this stunning Georgian manor house is the perfect spot for soaking up the sun. Sitting on the banks of the Great Stour river, the pub offers visitors the chance to catch a bite to eat while watching the boats float by. The more adventurous can even indulge in canoeing, or take the two-minute walk to spacious fields ideal for a kickabout or game of frisbee. Nature lovers can also enjoy the Stodmarsh reserve across the road.
Postcode: CT3 4BP
Contact: www.thegroveferry.co.uk
60. THE GOLDING HOP, PLAXTOL
Hidden away in its own narrow wooded valley on the banks of a stream, the Golding Hop is not so much a pub that time forgot – more the hostelry that’s chosen to ignore the passing of years. A mile or so from the Plaxtol along a twisting lane overhung by trees, the Golding Hop suddenly appears in an unexpected clearing. In summer flowers adorns the front, looking out on to a steeply-banked fields that serves as the garden. Inside it is basic but cosy with an array of beers and ciders served directly from the barrel. The food is straightforward pub grub cooked to order and there is a traditional bar billiards table to enliven the wait for its arrival. This really is deepest, darkest Kent – and well worth the safari.
Postcode: TN15 0PT
Contact: 01732 882150
61. THE GEORGE, TROTTISCLIFFE
With the sun high in the sky and the mercury soaring, there’s no better place to visit than this charming pub near West Malling. Its large beer garden is a draw for people near and far, with lots of tables and inflatable fun for the little ones. There’s an extensive range of beers and its kitchen produces excellent fare. The staff are ever friendly with some of the best service levels around. And to cap it off, there’s even a section of the pub dedicated to a village murder from 1867 - a fascinating part of local history. A quality pub, well worth a visit.
Postcode: ME19 5DR
Contact: www.thegeorgekent.co.uk
62. TUDOR ROSE, UPNOR
Walking down the cobbles of Upnor High Street is a fitting build up to one of the finest hostelries in Kent. And in the summertime this little gem of a pub gleams like a diamond on a sunlit day. Leave your car at the top car park – or better still get someone else to drive – then meander into a bygone scene with the River Medway in the backdrop. The food is excellent and the beer better. There’s a tiny suntrap at the front or an expansive garden at the rear. Upnor Castle is just around the corner
Postcode: ME2 4XG
Contact: www.shepherdneame.co.uk/pubs/upnor/tudor-rose
Check out the rest of the 68 summer days out
Sporting days out Along the coast
