Flying Horse, Smardenback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Good pub. A proper village local. Welcoming friendly staff, lovely big fireplace and decent if not great food (The Chequers is better for "dining" but lacks the atmosphere of this place). As it seems with most Shepherd Neame pubs the choice of beer is restricted to Shepherd Neame beers and there is rarely a guest beer. Luckily Shepherd Neame is a good beer, but it would be nice to have a choice occasionally.
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My wife and I was staying with family in the area over xmas and had a good look round. All the villiges in the area are nice, but we like Smarden best. We had not been in the Flying Horse for a few years when a Irish man ran it. He was drunk the evening we was there so we did not go back. Our son told us he had left and that it was better now, so we went. It was very good indeed. The place was warm with a big log fire burning and candles on every table. the food was very good. the first evening we went was Steak Night and we both had lovely steaks cooked just as we liked them. Mine bleeding and the wifes well done. It were very resonalble too, but i thought the beer was a bit pricy. Now i have retired we will be visiting more often, and we hope to spend a lot more evenings in the Flying Horse.
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The Flying Horse has just changed tenants following the departure of Gaynor who had run the pub brilliantly for the last few years. The new Landlord has a lot to live up to. However our first encounters have been extremely favourable. We were greeted on a snowy evening by a roaring log fire in the large inglenook fireplace and a warm smile from the girl behind the bar.
The new sign outside says a lot when it say �Pub and Dinning Room� The new menu is fantastic, just what good pub food is all about. High quality tasty food sold at sensible prices. My husband thought the beer pricey, but that might stop him drinking as much and then snoring!
As usual the pub was busy with a nice social mix all getting along together, and none of the bad language and uncouth behaviour that has so marred the other village centre pub of late. The place was scrupulously clean as you would expect when it has just been taken over. We in the past had always preferred the other village pub, regarding the Flying Horse as a bit of a boozer. How times have changed! Now you really need to book on busy night to ensure a table, where as around to corner more often than not the only diners are the Landlord and his family.
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Went there one lunchtime recently. Received a warm welcome from the very friendly barmaid. Beer was excellent as was the food we ordered. Well worth a visit.
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The �Village Pub� in the true sense of the word. Its home to the local football teams, cricket teams, bell ringers as well as having a quiz team and darts. The food is not fancy but always good. It now carries a good selection of wines which suites me and traditional beers which my husband enjoys.
A recent facelift has if anything further added to the character of the pub. The landlady who now runs the pub on her own following the departure of her often legless ex husband is doing a superb job. Four years ago we hardly ever set foot in the �Flyer� preferring the atmosphere of the Chequers around the corner with its good food and tasteful fixtures and fittings, unfortunately they have now long gone. Now the situation is reversed, and when we do come into the village we tend to frequent the Flying horse.
Mrs B
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Have lived in Smarden for 8 months now and this has become our 'local'. The first day we went into the pub we were welcomed by the landlord who bought us a pint!
Good place to watch Rugby on the big screen next to the log fire in the winter and throughout the year, Gaynor, the landlady organises events from Belly Dancing to a Summer Beach Party Night, often with a free buffet or snacks.
The first Sunday of each month they hold an Acoustic Night where the 'locals' come together to play instruments, sing or just soak up the atmosphere.
A great village community pub, which the Chequers around the corner cannot compete with.
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Colourful-yes, rough, never!
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What was once the "rough pub" in the village is now the place to be. Good selection of beers and friendly service too.
I'm reliably informed the Sunday lunch is special !
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This is an excellent and genuine village pub, hosting a wide and varied number of local groups.The Masterbrew is always on top form, supported by a selection of Shep's stronger or seasonal beers. The food is great value, and is locally sourced, unlike the Chequers round the corner. Dog friendly.
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