please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Pub definitely closed in 2010 - visit the Wrong Turn instead!
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Sadly, The Yew Tree has shut again. And as I was one of the last remaining locals still drinking there I will miss the pub. If only more people enjoyed the happy hour prices of �2 for a great local pint from various micro brewerys. And the �9.95 for two courses wasn't expensive. The quality of the food and the service were great.
I'm glad to say I supported this pub, it's just a pity more didn't, and now it's gone!!!
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A quick scan of Honeydog's reviews of pubs reveals a very negative and slightly miserable attitude in my view. If the Fitzwalter Arms in Goodnestone had stayed as it was, it would now be closed. The new landlord has put the place on the map and the external investment is keeping the pub alive for the village to enjoy. A glance online at The Yew Tree's "cheffy menu" shows snacks starting at �3 and lunch �9.95 for two courses. This is hardly pricy. Both The Fitz and The Yew Tree use local ingredients, support local suppliers and local breweries, selling real ale at a fair �2.60 per pint. Local pubs need support or they will dissappear.
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Far too posh! Not a place to go after a walk with the dog - more a wine bar atmosp[hers and 'cheffy' menu which is pricey.
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Gastropub: good beers, posh nosh & -if you're interested- a tempting wine list.
Friendly, welcoming staff. Not cheap but good value given how excellent we thought the food was.
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Popped in at Easter with the manservant. Redecorated, although more as a restaurant than a pub. Still serves a good pint of locally soureced ales at a reasonable price.
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Hi, the Yew Tree reopened a month ago and our opening hours are 12pm to 11pm every day. Food is served seven days a week, the kitchen closes on Sunday evenings only. We will continue to serve excellent Real Ales with the emphasis being on local producers, i.e. Gadd's and Hopdaemon. We are having a beer festival 2-5th May 2008 with live jazz on the sunday from 4pm.
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The pub reopened on 19 March, after major redecoration, by the new owners who are wine merchants based near Staple. The bar is now in the room at the rear, with the restaurant in the front two rooms.
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Currently closed. The previous incumbents left over the New Year due to ill health. Let's hope that the owners can find someone who'll stay for more than five minutes. Why oh why didn't they sell it to Peter and Catherine when they had the chance?
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The Yew Tree in Barfrestone is one of the nicest locations in East Kent, next to a beautiful 12th century church with a bell rope that leads to a bell in a yew tree! The pub was always very successful, then mysteriously closed for along time a few years ago. The people who ran it when it reopened introduced a no-smoking policy and this was the cause of a continuing war with some of their customers, which was their undoing.
That was a shame, as they produced good food and managed to sell real ale (the East Kent micro brewery sort) at a very reasonable price. The present people are still producing good food, but the prices are much higher and the atmosphere has gone. Meanwhile, the law has come in and the arguments that were the reason for getting rid of the previous landlords now look a bit pathetic.
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Er, I saw some beer from Kent micro's Messers Hop Saemen and Godds' on a recent visit.
And I had a pint of GK Mild in another pub not on this site and it was remarkably good - I'd say dry-hopped with Fuggles - unusual and luxurious.
Apart from that I hate the buggers.
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I think the previous poster is mistaken as regards his comment in respect of a sellout. The last time I visited on 22January last ( q.v. ), they had G.K. ales on, and as I recall, they've not sold out, but done a deal to take G.K. in exchange for G.K. doing cellar improvements for The Yew Tree.
He does not say whether there are other ales still available from local micros. I cannot make any comment about the barchap's tonsorial attributes, and as far as I am concerned, it still rates 8/10.
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the new owners seem to have unfortantley sold out to green king as well as terrible over price roast. Young chap behind bar with very strange tramlines in hair cut v.chavy won't rush back for a while.
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A fine establishment, with the right level of gentle eccentricity that is England's gift to the hospitality business. A heartening array of kent based micro breweries-Hopdeamon Incubus was a relevation, together with a seriously good Sunday roast.
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I visited with my chauffeur - the "Phantom Raspberry", for my first visit since the pub reopened on Auld Year's Night. I was served by a most charming young lady with a superb pint of Hopdaemon "Skrimshander".
I had a chat with the fellow behind the bar who turned out to be Chris, the new landlord. He spoke enthusiastically of his plans for increasing stillage in the cellar.
Time was not a luxury afforded us and had to depart before sampling the other Hopdaemon offering - "Incubus", or Phil Goacher's excellent Mild. Also on tap were Greene King "Abbot" & "I.P.A.", and for those who like such things - Biddenden Cider, although I cannot say which.
Keep up the good work - you still merit 8/10
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Stopped in for a cheeky pint whilst on a lightning raid to the Garden of England and a very pleasant pint it was too. Good beer, friendly company in a lovely pub. (If you've time it's also worth visiting the Saxon Church 100 yards down the road).
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Glad to say the Yew tree is now back, Chris and Margaret are the new hosts and nice people they are too, the beer is as good as its ever been, not tried any hot food yet but the cheese sandwiches are superb and desever the Incubas I washed it down with
Hope to see more of the old regulars soon!
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I am a resident in Barfrestone village, the Yewtree is an important meeting place for locals from several villages, Heather will be sorely missed as shes a really nice person and her food was excellent, as was Charlies beer. Rob will also be missed, the "afternoon club" was something I enjoyed whenever I could make it there
The pub will be reopening shortly, I dont know who will be running it for the Owner Duncan Smythe but I hope Bruce may be up for the job
Good luck to Heather, Charlie and Rob hope you visit the pub
Baz
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I was informed by my rural correspondent, Brabinger, that the Yew Tree closed last week, and had it confirmed last night. Hopefully, this wil only be temporary.
As it has been said on numerous occasions and by numerous people - "Watch this space"
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one of the best pubs in kent, a true pub in the country which hasn't been taken over by food, but at the same time Heathers homemade chips, which are potatoes what she will wash and cut up for chips infront of you are just heaven. Sunday Roasts are also the best in the area, using free range meats, but you will have to book as its packed.
Great mix of people, a thinking persons pub, the barman Rob is able to talk about anything, as he works the bar. From Mods and Hippies to a tory pilot, to a marxist farmer! everyone gets on in a happy vibe.
Charlies beer is always first rate, the best in the area by far, he keeps four real ales, and has two which are local, plus a mild, and two real ciders. Parking can be a problem when it's busy, like on a sunday, or when its a Thursday and a band is playing
bands include The Fling, and The Fat River Band, and plenty more quality acts, no cheese here.
A top pub, but lacks a garden and better parking. hard to find but worth it. Lucky Barfestone residents that dont have it drive then chance the parking.
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An absolute gem of a country pub tucked away in the Kent countryside, eight miles from Canterbury and twelve miles from Dover. It can take a little finding, but believe me, it's well worth the effort!
Heather and Charlie run this splendid pub which was East Kent Camra pub of the year for 2004-5. They serve well kept real ales chiefly from local independent brewers, and Mild is alaways available. Local cider is also available and comes from either Thatcher's or Biddenden. If you join the "afternoon club", then your beer will be discounted up to a maximum of 50p. There is live music on Thursdays.
The home cooked food is excellent and not a sign of "portion control". If you decide to go there for Sunday Lunch, I would certainly recommend booking in advance.
There are smoking and non-smoking bars, and the restaurant is non-smoking.
I just love the pub and you get a nice mix of clientele - definitley no Chavs here. No hesitation in giving it 9/10.
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This is simply a superb little pub right "out in the sticks", which is nonetheless easily accessible from the A2 from Dover to Canterbury, or the A256 Eastry by-pass.
Their web site will give you a good idea of what they're about. It was an absolutely filthy, rainy night last last when I visited, and the small public bar was pretty full.
The landlord sources his ales from both local breweries and those independents futher afield.
Last night's offerings were Incubus (4%) and Dominator (5.1%) from the Hopdaemon Brewery at Canterbury, and Clifton Ale (4.3%) from Cottage Brewing Co Ltd.
I've been here on several occasions and the beer has never been less than 100% I've had good reports on the food served here, but until I actually try something from their bill of fare, I will rate them on their excellent ales only and give them a well deserved 8/10.
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