This civilised, half-timbered pub pretty much gets the balance right between eating and drinking; it’s everything a village local should be, and more. Dating from the early 15th century, its higgledy-piggledy rooms are classic old-style country hostelry – all low ceilings, oak beams, panelling and exposed brick, crackling fires and well-worn furnishings. The public bar is reserved purely for drinkers, and real ale fans will not be disappointed with the assortment of tip-top brews drawn straight from casks behind the bar; heady Biddenden cider comes straight from the barrel, too, and there’s a decent selection of malt whiskies. The kitchen relies on mostly local suppliers for food that can range from Frogshole Farm asparagus via ploughman’s to Sunday roasts. On warm summer evenings, the sheltered patio and garden are much in demand.