please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The Bowl Inn was pub of the day for us. It's high up in a remote village. But it's a fascinating family-run business where the landlord is very keen on engaging you in conversation. If you don't mind the F word, you'll get along fine! The bar area has lots of old signs and curios dotted around. Outdoors, you'll find the gents, a barbecue run by the landlord's son come rain or shine (for us it was rain), a fine garden with a former cricket pitch behind, an antique store to the side and an owl of all things slap bang in the middle! The landlord was recounting some interesting stories. But he seemed very proud of his pub and so he should. He has just been recognised by the local CAMRA group, who have voted it their pub of the year. Hopdaemon Incubus & Golden Braid & Ripple Steam IPA were the 3 real ales on offer. Biddendens Dry was available in bottles. Well worth a visit.
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This is a fabulous pub in a lovely Kentish village perched on top of the North Downs. The landlord was a really funny guy and most helpful with my walking ideas. The beer was equally fine. The interior is lovely and the best bit is the small old public bar at the front which has been extremely well done up like an American 8-ball pool parlour with one table in the middle. The garden is great and dog very friendly. Will definitely return. PS there is a good beer festival here, too.
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I can see where the last reviewer is coming from - it's run in a way that people immediately love or hate. But for me, the Bowl at Hastingleigh is a brilliant pub. I�d never been there before today. Four of us cycled up, and two of us drove. Next time, I'll be a passenger in the car. It's a bit "up".
Four ales, and the landlord is quite a character � treating everyone as an old friend, even if he�s only just met you. The beer selection was fine, and I had a couple of pints of the aptly named �Full Steam Ahead�. A roast beef baguette, a bit of a laugh with the pub dog, all too soon it was time to leave.
Will certainly be back.
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What a pub! And what looked like a great selection of wonderful beers. I could only have a half, so I opted for the Nelson's Mild (sorry the name has gone out of my head) which was excellent. Would have loved to stay for more but I had to drive!
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What a fantastic pub !
A local's pub that isn't a local's pub....if you see what I mean :-)
The Landlord (Ron, from earlier reviews?) is a gentle giant with a wonderfully droll sense of humour and treated us all like he had known us for years despite this being our first visit. Beer was very good and sandwiches looked lovely although we had already eaten, unfortunately. There is a pleasant garden as well with a pet owl although as the weather was miserable, we chose to stay in the warm.
When it was time to leave, everybody in the pub (and there were quite a few of them) made a point of saying goodbye.
A pub I would be proud to have as my local (which sadly, it isn't really). In fact, I am almost loathe to write about it in case too many people find it !
We will certainly be back.
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I've been wanting to visit this pub for a while, so we decided to go walking on the Downs towards crundale.My hopes of finding a proper pub were realised: a warm welcome, fine dog,and excellent ale-Cottage's Somerset and Dorset- a tasty, malty mild.Who needs fancy restaurant food when the sandwiches and pickled eggs are this good.Definately worth the slog up from Wye.
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Brillant pub, warm and friendly welcome from landlord, harveys tasting beautiful, wish i could have stayed for more. will be back soon hopefully. can't rate this pub enough
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A really nice pub and certainly a massive improvement on the old flea pit it had become. Probably the best atmosphere of any of the pubs in the area and a very fiendly welcome. Beer not always perfect - I've a few pints of Harvey's that were both too warm and lacking condition - but otherwise highly recommended.
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Lovely real traditional pub. Well kept selection of Ales including the best tasting Harveys I have had outside of Sussex.
Only does snacks to order.
Don't be put off by the biker look of Ron the landlord who dispite his looks runs a very friendly and spotless pub.
The pub is family run so not open weekday afternoons.
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Village pub in idyllic spot on the North Downs betwen Canterbury and Ashford.
Wickerman - 5 Jul 2006 14:26 |
An unexpected gem - tucked into the top of the North Downs. Free house doing 3 real ales - Harveys Best, Summer Lightning and Adnams best. Secluded rear beer garden, some food (not tried). Landlord is a large biker-type, but very friendly - well worth a visit (and I'll be back for some more Harveys as this is the only place near Ashford that does it).
lobster56 - 26 Jun 2006 10:53 |
