The Rising Sun, Kemsing

This place just gets better, or worse, depending on your outlook in life.

I was back up here recently and now, if you want a drink, you ring a bell outside the door furiously, like a man possessed, and the landlady appears after a minute or so to serve.

Talking to a well-known regular, it appears she now prefers the company of her herd of cows to her customers, so pulls your pint and then retires to the barn to tend the animals.

I think it's great; typical English eccentricity and totally normal for the locality. Where else would you get served by a landlady in a boiler-suit? The regular tells us that's about normal for 'round here'.

On that basis, purely for the entertainment element, I am upping my rating a couple of notches.

26 Apr 2012 21:53

The Rising Sun, Kemsing

I was invited to this pub last week and yes, it was very dirty, but the atmosphere was good, the place was busy and there was a log burner keeping the place cosy.
Then there was 'THE INCIDENT'
The landlady's cat did a poo right in the middle of the floor where we were sitting. The smell was dreadful and everyone moved to the other bar but the worst thing of all was that the landaldy just ignored it! She carried on serving at the bar like nothing had happened. She didn't bother to go and clean it up; I think one of the customers shovelled it up and threw it in the fire. We left soon after that as the stink was overpowering.
I understand from our friends who are regulars, that she has had a bit of a struggle to get customers, and I can see why now.
It is a real shame as the pub looks like to could do very well as it is an old-fashioned place with bags of charm and character that you don't get too often these days. It is a free-house and the beer was really quite good.
There is no food on offer, just crisps and nuts, so have your dinner before you visit, if you dare.
New management and a damn good clean-up would make this pub a real gem.

17 Nov 2010 20:30