please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Went in to The Old George and had a pint a few times and always see different beers on. 3 ales offered this time was Greene king ipa. Penguin rockhopper ruby and ringwood old thumper. Tried all 3 and all top quality as was the staff.
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Should be a lovely pub, it has a lot going for it, but sadly it is a bit hit and miss.
The landlords can be the same, one day they are very friendly and on yet on another day they are completely the opposite.
Everyone who works there must presumably live in the village as they all seem very caught up in village politics and don't seem to worry about discussing the personal business of other people in the village in front of customers.
Apparently they now have a new chef as, if gossip heard when staff were talking to other locals is to be believed, the old chef left because the landlords messed him about with his salary and he didn't have fully working equpiment in the kitchen: the food is still a bit hit and miss and the whole place is a sticky and grimey in places.
A real shame as with a bit of effort and maybe a bit less nepotism it could be a fabulous place: maybe if the landlady had a few less holidays (she always seems to be going off somewhere) and instead spent a bit more money on things like cleaning, essential equipment and paying her staff properly, the atmosphere in there might change for the better.
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This is a lovely pub! We popped in here whilst walking to Otford along the Darent Valley, which is a nice walk in itself. They had a gorgeous coal fire warming the place and a nice selection of ales. I can't understand the low rating – must be old scores from previous tenants.
The bar staff were charming and there was a great ambience here. Will be back!
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Visited last week. 2 Northumberland Brewery beers on (where are the Kent local beers?) and Harveys. Had the Harveys Sussex Bitter which was not at its best. And at �3.50 for that quality we won't be visiting again for some time.
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Stopped here for lunch on a cold winter's day. They had two roaring fires going which was very welcome. Beer was "Gravesend shrimpers" bitter and "Wolf in sheeps clothing" mild. I hadn't heard of either before but both were in pretty good nick. The pie & veg I had was excellent but others thought their food wasn't served hot enough.
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I enjoy popping into this place for a decent pint and a bite to eat when walking in the Darent valley. It strikes me as friendly and well run.
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There was one 6% cider. Can't recall it's name.
I agree though, it was the saddest looking "festival" I've ever seen.
We stopped briefly on the Bank Holiday Monday. The 2 guys behind the decks, playing 80's wedding style music was total cringe material. Wouldn't have looked out of place on Pheonix Nights.
Is it just me, or is it impossible to get a decent pint of cider or ale in this village?
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I think the previous post must of been at a different festival all it was was a few people in the car park which holds about 4 cars! No cider and very obscure real ales, music was very much targeted at hillbillies. do not waste your time we wont bother going again.
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Our crowd of 6 adults and 4 under 18's went in there yesterday for the afternoon.
They had a real ale festival with guest beers and ciders on draught in the car park, went down well with our crowd and we enjoyed the entertainment supplied by a local "bluegrass style" quintet, in particular the young chinese violinist player who was excellent.
We all had lunch, some had the roast and some had the fish and chips, it was pretty good despite appearing a little hectic in the kitchen. (well they were very busy)
In summary, we all had a great time and will be visiting this pub again.
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As one of the previous posts mentions, this pub now has a new Landlady.
Spoke to her a few weeks back and she seems really nice.
Glad to report that the cast from Lock Stock and 2 Smoking Barrels seem to have gone as well.
It's a beautiful building in one of the nicest locations in Shoreham ... facing the nice old church.
Let's hope she can turn it into the great pub that it could be.
The roaring real fire is nice in Winter.
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Have tried hard to make it work,shame as owner very nice, apart from the wine which is not very good
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We visited this place recently for the first time in 2 years after seeing a roadside sign advertising it. There was no gang hanging about outside at lunchtime so at least that was something, but although the pub had changed hands it was still as we remembered it 2 years earlier! Food was everage and the drinks were too so won't be rushing back there any time soon!
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Still the haunt of swearing, foul mouthed "regulars".
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It is not the owner that is the problem, it's the gang that stand in the corner, very intimidating, loud and the language is awful. The pub on the bridge is nice.
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Bank holiday Monday lunchtime was a joke!!
So understaffed, running around like headless chickens.
Sumptous food not on your life!!!
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New Information:
Now that this old village pub has a new owner and landlady - Sue - the atmosphere has changed tremendously. Real Ale served. Friendly staff, warm welcome & scrumptious food. Family, walkers and dogs welcomed. Well done Sue for turning the pub around. Appreciated by locals and visitors alike.****
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Seems to of gone downhill very quickly, rude, loud & very drunk people & that was just the man behind the bar! Avoid at all costs
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I do agree about the South London Characters, all using bad language and does make you feel a little nervous! Shame for a nice pub as it used to be quite busy with nice atmosphere, now it just seems a bit of a shamble.
Food is not too bad though, and bar staff do try and be pleasant.
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Hate to be negetive, but think it's only fair to warn you. I will be avoiding this pub at all costs in future.
Only went there out of desperation because we were a bit early for our train.
The place was full of South London "characters" and you get the impression that they have settled in for the duration. The only other customers were 2 nervous/scared looking walkers who looked as if they had wandered into the Blind Beggar by mistake.
Worlds apart from the freindly relaxed atmosphere at The Crown at the other end of the village.
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Have to agree with some of the comments below. I've visited this pub a few times in the past and it was ok.
But at the weekend just past when I visited, there were 2 pretty dodgy looking guys sat at the bar indulging in a fair bit of swearing and staring.
I felt a bit uncomfortable and left after one drink.
Shame, because it's a lovely building in a lovely location.
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I hear rather sadly the the new owners are selling to the current managers!
This was rather apparent when upon a return visit on Sunday for a drink we were greeted by staff who did not know what they were doing running around like headless chickens, and very loud and obnoxious people in the bar drinking.
We actually overheard two of them talking that the rest of the pubs in the village do not let anyone i.e locals who drink in the George into their pubs!!
And that all the ones that have been barred from the other pubs all drink in the George because it is the only one they can drink in!!
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I went here with a friend towards the end of the Summer after hearing the new landlords had a wonderful pub nearby. On first impressions it seemed good, the real ale selection was good and well kept, the interior nice if not a little bland/cold. As it was a lovely day we sat outside ready to order but during peak times on a saturday lunch time, the management felt it was a good time to destroy a wasp nest in the roof which obviously meant it we all had to flock back inside, even the bargirl got stung!
Inside it was a different story, it was the drinkers at the bar that completely ruin the place, it was hard to relax due to the loud foul language and vividly retold stories of intimate conquests the night before. Food was OK, nothing special.
This place has so much potential but I think the food needs to be better as does policy regarding behaviour of a small element of the clientele.
Worth a try but if I was you I'd go to the Crown at the other end of the Village.
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Its such a pity that the most attractive pub in this lovely little village is the worst by far. It has changed hands so many times over the last five or so years but nobody seems to actually want to change it. The very friendly young barmaid who's there during the week does try her best. I've given it a try on several occasions but wasn't at all impressed with the foul language from the few 'regulars' who were the only people there each time I've been in. They would put anybody off. Having now realised that they score only one out of five for food hygiene on the 'Scores on the Doors' scheme, I certainly wouldn't want to eat there either. Can't somebody come in and save this little gem before the village loses yet another of its pubs?
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Nice couple running this pub, has greatly improved sinced they took over earlier in the year. They do a great English fry up on Saturday mornings, full works at a reasonable price. Place seemed very clean, is quite small and short of space inside but is listed building so add to the character. Definitely one of the best in the village.
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Subjective perhaps, but 3.7 is not strong ale to me. Harveys is standard in many pubs, just like London Pride or Spitfire, a reasonable beer but nothing special. T.E.A. I tried and did not think much of it.
Screaming kids is what was there on my visit and I reported what I found. Food was good and in quieter surroundings I would try it again.
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Strong beer???? Harveys 4%
T.E.A 4.2%
And Batemans xb @3.7%
I think somerstown must of been in a different pub!
I have eaten here with friends on numerous ocassions and have not had screaming kids!! You must of been very unlucky. Try a return visit i bet you would not be disapointed.
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Good points?
Clean. Polite service. Good food and plenty of it.
Bad points?
Indifferent beer if you like strong ale.
No character.
If you sit outside you better enjoy kids shouting at the top of their voices, because it happened when I was recently there right through our meal, so not a place for a quiet meal with a friend!
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I've known this pub all my life, and while it's not quite what it was back in its glory days, it's still a very pleasant place to drink and eat, and certainly much improved on my few recent visits.
A sensible selection of beers (Harveys, Westerham & Black Sheep when I was there ) in good condition, and a reasonably priced menu of very acceptable, if unexciting, food. Friendly , helpful, if slightly chaotic service, and an atmosphere which is just what you ought to expect from a traditional country pub like this. Well worth a visit.
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Good to that the place is busy. has improved greatly since the new owners took over
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Recently carried out a nice long walk around Shoreham and stopped off in each of its four pubs how they are all still open is beyond me. I have mixed feelings about these pubs by far the worst was The Brewers, Then The Crown followed closely by the Kings Arms and By far the best was Ye Olde George Inne. As this was the nicest pub we decided to have our lunch here. Very pleasant atmosphere very welcoming and good food I had the Steak and ale pie and my wife had fishcakes and salad.
The ales were very good Harveys was in very good condition I would whole heartedly recommend the George for lunch or dinner.
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This has improved again since my last visit, the restaurant has now been re-furbished well done.
Seems a lot busier. Well kept ales.
Thank you
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Great beers, this place has been improved very quickly I take it it is true that it has just been taken over by a new Landlord.
Great Sunday Lunch!!
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This is a return visit for me and much improved well done.
Good beers and cleaner environment
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Hi Guys if you dont already know then heres some good news abut this pub The Owners of The Fox and Hounds, Romney Street. Knatts Valley have just taken it over!! So those of you that know Jeff & Fran will know that this place will be turned around very quickly and be offering good home cooked food in a warm and clean environment. This place will be buzzing again as it should be. So do dis-regard the previous comments and come and look for yourselves.
Good luck to you both
Tina
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First visit for many years, and it was awful. Shabby interior, unwashed tables and strong dog smell. All this for the most expensive beer in the area. For these reasons, I did not think about chancing the food.
The building has lots of character, so it's a shame it's not more inviting.
I will not be returning
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Awful place, dirty and unkempt. Barmaid very unfriendly as if we was imposing on her social life. Food looks and tasted as if it had just come out of the microwave. This is all a shame as this pub could be a gem if it had some money and effort spent on it.
Even the hanging baskets outside have plastic flowers!!
Will not be returning.
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Very disappointed with this pub, we weren't made at all welcome and the food was very average. Will not be rushing back any time soon.
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Small log burning fire at entrance, very low ceiling as you enter but taller people can stand up in the room to the left where the shop-counter style bar continues round, but with no pumps on that side. They had Everards Tiger & Original and Archers February Flavour, but none were in terrific condition. Handful of locals chatting at the bar but I didn't find the place overly welcoming and left with images of the Wicker Man flitting thru my mind, for some reason.
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Stopped here when on a country ramble. Lovely old building with open fire and very friend;y locals. Dartford Wobbler was very popular with our party as was the food (strong emphasis on local game) would recomend
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Went for Sunday lunch yesterday. looks like the place is under new ownership. Ale still as good as ever and food gets better everytime.
Pub is also getting more popular as was packed out by around 1 pm yesterday.
A great place to stop for a pint and a bite to eat. (but if you are tall the low ceilings can present a challenge when you've had a few.
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Nice pub, unspoilt with good food and great beer. Friendly staff and events make this one worth a bit of a journey.
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Plesant old pub, typical of many village pubs on southern outskirts of London. Good beer (local micros) but slow business on a Bank Holiday given the attractiveness of the village - the other village pub seemed to have the food trade
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Anyone remeber "Lionel" and his family running this establishment back in the 1960's when the public bar was separate with a roaring fire in the corner & lionel won the window boxes comp every year.
Move away and would like to re visit any info on beer/food welcome
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Friendly local pub with interesting and frequently rotating guest ales, occasional food, pool, pub quizzes and the odd disco. Logical starting / ending point for a Shoreham pub crawl
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