The Blue Anchor, Ruckinge

This pub was closed if I remember correctly up until the very end of last year. As I was driving through Kent on a journey back to London I stopped off for something to eat on a Saturday evening. I was pleasantly surprised to walk in a see a welcoming pub and an open fire and a warm hello from a chap called 'Steve' behind the bar, who turned out to be the new Landlord. I enjoyed chatting with him and a glorious half of Directors (I was driving) and sat down to a really excellent curry in the restaurant. I have to say, this pub is unique in the way that it's quiet enough for me to enjoy but also has the jovial atmosphere from the locals. Next time we go back, I want it to be the summer as the beer garden is really the main attraction for me here, that and the large duck pond where you can feed the ducks. In the summer after taking in some of Kents finest countryside I could think of nowhere finer to relax with a good pint of ale. This is not a new pub or a fancy wine bar, more traditional with good beer and food so take that on board and you will really enjoy this pub.

12 Jan 2012 12:45

The Hand In Hand, Wimbledon Common

I have to agree with JamesWimbledon on this one, but I do love the pub. Its one of the three that I do on my Friday night out. Start at the Fox and Grapes, then the Hand in Hand and on to the Crooked Billet. Good beer and a pint of ramrod and special always goes down well. Friendly Staff and they are mostly antipodeans which is always good for a bit of banter about sport and they give as good as they take. As Len Goodman would say 'SevvvverRRn' but could be more if the pretentious customers would calm down slightly as some times I have been in there its like a toffs swingers party. (not that I have ever attended one of those m'lord!)

12 Dec 2009 09:55

The Brewery Tap, Wimbledon Village

This is a great, little pub, it's my local and I live no more than 30 seconds from it. There are 5 hand pull real ales to choose from and a Pint of London Pride here is fantastic, its like silk. Over time your chances increase of have a pint that is at the end of the barrel and sure enough the Landlord was more than happy to replace it. On the Landlord, you could not find a nice chap. The pub seems to have an eclectic mix of customers, they range from students (posh ones) to professionals and couples and all seem to get along nicely. The Juke box is great and the music is varied. Not tried the food in some time but I understand its of a decent quality. Prices are what you would expect from an area of London where you don't have to fear for your life but they are not excessive.

12 Dec 2009 09:46

The Shepherd and Cock, Burmarsh

I would just like to point out that this pub is called the Shepherd and Crook NOT cock but I like this place and agree with the other reviews. Its a time piece, seriously, if you like Allbarone or other chain pubs then avoid this as this is no plastic pub. Its as old as time it self and the quality is still there. Really nice beer, decent sandwich although the food is not much more adventurous than a ploughmans and sitting in the beer garden with a view of a red telephone box and a road with the occasional car passing every 5 mins is so welcome after living in London for so long. Just go in for a pint.

6 Dec 2009 18:43

Ocean Inn, Dymchurch

I like this pub, its old and its what you would expect from a seaside pub. In the summer its absolutely manic and it can be hard to get served but sitting in the beer garden with a cold beer is wonderful. The beer is decent, I am a real ale drinker and they had a very nice pint of Directors on hand pull and another special real ale which I can't remember. They have the normal array of Stella, Becks, Fosters lagers. They have a pull table and dart board but I have been in there when they had a darts night and it can get pretty nosey but adds to the atmosphere. They show sports on TV so you can watch your football if you wish and a restaurant out the back. Food is good, portions are huge, a Sunday Roast and a Pint of beer and I was ready for bed. It's nice to know that this is still a traditional British seaside pub and not another Harvester!

30 Nov 2009 14:59