KentBeautiful Country Pubs

The Vintage Inns Kent Collection

From the rural hamlets of Hollingbourne and Farningham, to the county town of Maidstone, plus the magnificent cathedral city of Canterbury, the hostelries that make up the Vintage Inns Kent Collection are unique places to visit – yet all have much in common!

If you’re planning a day’s walking, exploring by car, or simply visiting a local attraction in and around rural Kent and the rolling downland, then you might like to visit us for a morning coffee or refreshing drink, a light lunch, or even a hearty evening meal to round off your outing. They all have pleasant walks from the door, some offer charming accommodation, and many have country parks, heritage attractions and picturesque hamlets nearby to wonder at.

One of our inns is a more recent structure, but the others are sympathetic restorations of an existing village pub ranging from 150 to over 400 years old. They all have their own character and charm, but also offer carefully restored period features, log burning fires and a select team of friendly staff. The Vintage Inns of Kent offer a warm welcome and respite on a cold winter’s day and the ideal spot to enjoy sunshine, a cold drink and beautiful rural views on balmy summer evenings.

All our Inns serve a full menu of traditional British favourites seven days a week, plus appetising blackboard specials, and a selection of succulent roasts on a Sunday. At the bar, meanwhile, you’ll be tempted by a fine range of real cask conditioned ales (including popular local brews) and a number of regularly changing guest beers. Vintage Inns also pride themselves on an excellent choice of wines with varieties of all the popular grapes on offer and a flavour and price to suit every taste, occasion and pocket.

ContentsOld Gate Inn – CanterburyWhite Rabbit – Maidstone

The Lion – DartfordPark Gate Inn – Maidstone

Green Man – LongfieldThe Rose & Crown – Dunton Green

The Aperfield Inn – Westerham

Countryside walksWaterside walks Heritage sites Visitor attractionsInformation National Trust sites Museums

A256

A2A28

A299

A2070

A229

A20

A13

A26

A27

M20

M2

M26

Canterbury

Maidstone

Chatham

Old Gate Inn

Park Gate Inn

The LionThe Rose & Crown

White Rabbit

Hastings

The Aperfield Inn

Green Man

North Sea

English Channel

Medway

Vintage Inn CollectionKent

This grand old white pub with rooms is in the Bridge area, just to the south east of the historical cathedral city of Canterbury, and is within site of its famous tower.

Dating to 1728, the inn was built near the Toll Gate and was originally known as the Sign of The Gate. The first landlord was Richard Howard, who also collected the tolls and was a trained tallow chandler (maker of candles). In 1781 The Old Gate Inn became a coaching house where travellers could rest for the night.

Canterbury is world-famous because of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, but they were written in the late 1300’s and Archbishop Thomas Becket’s murder (which led to the pilgrimages immortalised by Chaucer) was already 200 years in the past. St Augustine’s Abbey dates back to the early 7th century and the remains of the crypt, chapel and great nave are well worth seeing.

Canterbury Cathedral itself is a World Heritage Site and still attracts pilgrims from all over Europe. Little wonder when its relics include the jewel and gold encrusted shrine to Beckett, a beautifully carved pulpit, the fan vaulted ceiling of the Bell Harry Tower, the striking black and white marble font, the tomb of the chivalrous Black Prince and other rare ecclesiastical treasures.

The North Downs Way National Trail follows a picturesque route along the ridge of the Downs and the 57-mile Canterbury Loop is a very popular section – clockwise you can follow the ancient track known as the ‘Pilgrim’s Way’ to the Stour Valley and Dover, while anti-clockwise leads onto Dover, via Folkestone.

Old Gate Inn 162-164 New Dover Road, Canterbury, CT1 3EL Tel. 01227 829951

The gateway to Canterbury...

• Canterbury Golf Course and Kent’s county cricket ground are both within an easy swing of the pub.

• The banks of the River Stour are also easily accessible and offer great landscapes and wildlife.

• No Canterbury pilgrimage is complete without a hearty meal, fine wines and real ales, so be sure to begin or rest up at The Old Gate Inn like travellers throughout the ages.

For information about The Old Gate Inn and just some of the many things to see and do in the Canterbury area, visit www.vintageinn.co.uk/theoldgateinnbridgecanterbury 1

For information about The White Rabbit and just some of the many things to see and do in the Maidstone area, visit www.vintageinn.co.uk/thewhiterabbitmaidstone

White Rabbit Sandling Road, Maidstone, ME14 2RF Tel. 01622 692212

This colonial-style pub with rooms has a pretty white picket fence and is at the heart of the county town of Maidstone, which dates back to beyond the Stone Age.

The White Rabbit occupies what used to be the officer’s quarters of the Invicta Barracks, built as a reaction to the threat of Napoleon. The large, attractive gardens are part of its appeal, although we’re sure the soldier’s rations were not a patch on the great food, fine wines and real ales now served.

The River Medway runs through the centre of Maidstone, linking it to Rochester and the Thames Estuary, and it occupies a site on two opposite hills. The town’s fascinating museum is housed in an Elizabethan manor house, which was created in 1858 and houses over 660,000 specimens and artefacts – some of which are of international importance. It’s also home to the Queens Own Royal West Kent Regimental Museum and illustrates campaign history from the 18th century to present day.

The Maidstone Carriage Museum, meanwhile, offers an insight into the pioneering history of transport and is home to a unique collection of horse-drawn vehicles and transport curiosities. More than 60 vehicles are displayed, from grand carriages such as Queen Victoria’s State Landau to antique sedan chairs and Victorian ‘growlers’.

The nearby hamlet of Bearsted has a village green cricket ground said to be one of the oldest in England and it was here that Alfred Mynn pioneered over arm bowling. The village retains its rural identity through the timber-framed houses, village shops and oasthouses facing the green, with far-reaching views of the nearby Kent Downs.

Try your luck….

• The Maidstone Millennium River Park is directly accessible from the pub and includes 10km of riverside paths and footbridges between Teston and Allington.

• Or the more adventurous can get onto the Medway Valley Walk that runs parallel.

• Join in – The White Rabbit is always full of walkers and visitors swapping tales of their adventures, resting weary limbs and enjoying revitalising drinks, roaring log fires and hearty pub fayre.

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This rather grand looking country inn nestles on the High Street in the pretty village of Farningham on the River Darent, just south of Dartford and the M20.

The pub has been a popular spot in Farningham since the 16th century when it was the entertainment centre of the village and even in the 18th century – then called The Black Lyon – was once paid a visit by Charles Dickens whilst on a trout fishing trip.

Farningham is home to Neolithic history – flints and other tools discovered can be seen in Dartford Museum – while the Romans also occupied the area in the first century. Indeed, much of the Roman villa at nearby Lullingstone is still visible today including the bath complex and stunning mosaic floors. Lullingstone also boasts one of England’s oldest family estates dating back to the time of Domesday and it occupies a tranquil spot beside the Darent.

Ancient woodland covers the top of a hill north of Farningham village and this peaceful nature reserve is a distinctive feature in the local landscape. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest because of several rare trees and plants, and there is a waymarked 1.6 mile walking route to explore that interconnects with other trail networks.

The award-winning and TV featured, World Garden at Lullingstone Castle in Eynsford is also worth seeing because it showcases thousands of exotic plants on a 3D map of the world. It was the brainchild of Tom Hart Dyke who was captured by guerrillas in Panama whilst looking for orchids. During his nine month ordeal he aspired to create a garden based on a map of the world if he ever made it out alive – and thankfully for all of us he did both!

The LionHigh Street, Farningham, DA4 0DP Tel. 01322 860621

The Lion’s share...

• Within a few minutes walk of the pub there’s easy access to the River Darent Valley Path linking Dartford to Sevenoaks, plus the footpaths in Farningham Woods Nature Reserve.

• Pedham Palace Golf Centre is on the doorstep, whilst trout fishing is also popular on the Darent.

• Whatever your choice of activity,

be sure to enjoy a leisurely lunch, refreshing drink, rewarding meal or social rendezvous at The Lion.

For information about The Lion and just some of the many things to see and do in the Dartford area, visit www.vintageinn.co.uk/thelionfarningham 4

For information about The Park Gate Inn and just some of the many things to see and do in the Hollingbourne area, visit www.vintageinn.co.uk/theparkgateinnhollingbourne

Park Gate Inn Ashford Road, Hollingbourne, Maidstone, ME17 1PG Tel. 01622 880985

This old farmhouse-style inn rests in the picturesque village of Hollingbourne, just east of Maidstone, at the heart of the garden of England that is Kent.

The inn is named after the gate that once led into nearby Leeds Castle Park in the mid 19th century. Leeds Castle has been home to royalty, lords and ladies for over a thousand years, while Park Gate was a small hamlet at that time and was served by the inn that has a 16th century building at its core.

Hollingbourne has an Elizabethan manor house that was home to the Culpepper family during the 17th century, while All Saints Church dates back to the 14th century and is now home to the 300-year-old Culpepper Cloth which is purple velvet with gold thread and decorated with local fruits like the Kentish hops.

This long, winding hamlet also has many beautiful listed 16th century buildings and also a pretty village pond, plus Eyhorne House is a red-brick Georgian manor reputedly haunted by an old lady in grey who used to tell bedtime stories to a little girl who lived there.

Hollingbourne also straddles the North Downs on the Pilgrim’s Way, which is the celebrated route used by pilgrims on their way from Canterbury to Winchester and made famous by Geoffrey Chaucer. Today, it passes through an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the Kent Downs and offers fantastic walking and scenery on the doorstep. The scenic River Len is also nearby and whilst it used to power windmills in local hamlets like Hollingbourne, it has now become the lake adjoining Leeds Castle.

Gateway to the Downs...

• Pick up The North Downs Way from Hollingbourne (direction Boxley village) and the path climbs rapidly to give stunning views over the surrounding countryside.

• Carry on past the remains of Thurnham Castle, descend into Detling, take the crossing over the A429 and back onto the downs, then pass through a wood before the steep descent into attractive Boxley.

• Memories are made of days out like this, so be sure to top it off with a refreshing drink, leisurely lunch or rewarding meal at The Park Gate Inn – ‘perfick’ as they say in these parts!

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For information about The Green Man and just some of the many things to see and do in the Longfield and Gravesend area, visit www.vintageinn.co.uk/thegreenmanlongfield

Green Man Main Road, Longfield Hill, Longfield, DA3 7AS Tel. 01474 702234

This traditional roadside inn is located in the sleepy village of Longfield in the Dartford borough of Kent.

The gradual evolution of The Green Man into a pub restaurant traces its origins back to the 17th century, when the building was a farmhouse that brewed ale for the farm workers. Legend has it a green branch was hung out of the upstairs window to let the workers know when the ale was ready – and it’s still a very popular place to enjoy cask conditioned ale.

Longfield is both rural in its location and outlook with a striking Grade II listed building in the 13th century St Mary Magdalene Church. It’s surrounded by lots of other rural hamlets, but is still very well connected with the M25 and M20 close to hand and Bluewater Retail Centre just north and the other side of the A2.

Gravesend slightly further north is an interesting place to visit and contains the statue of Princess Pocahontas, the first North American Indian to become a Christian who was buried in the local church in 1617. Milton Chantry is in the Heritage Quarter and still retains its 14th century timber roof – and was in turn, part of a hospital, a chantry chapel, a public house and a Georgian barracks, before its basement became a World War II gas decontamination chamber.

Swanscombe Skull Site, meanwhile, is owned by Natural England and the human skull fragments found here are some of the oldest human bones ever found in the UK.

Rub of the green ….

• A new conservation walk begins in nearby Istead Rise and this circular route (3 miles) links with existing rights of way. One can also see the uncropped margins around the arable fields.

• We’re also less than a mile from the famous Brands Hatch motor racing circuit for a high octane fuelled day out.

• The Green Man is a favourite

pit stop whatever your pace of life and you’ll leave suitably revitalised and refreshed until the next fun day out.

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For information about The Rose & Crown and just some of the many things to see and do in the Dunton Green area, visit www.vintageinn.co.uk/theroseandcrownduntongreen

The Rose & CrownLondon Road, Dunton Green, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 2THTel. 01732 462 343

Prominently positioned on the London Road, this great British coaching inn has been in continuous use since at least the early 1800s. In the nineteenth century it served coachmen and their passengers as they travelled up and down the busy London to Hastings coaching route, providing them with a safe haven from the attentions of local highwaymen. Indeed, local legend has it that a highwayman’s headless ghost can be seen jumping the stream behind a nearby country house.

Dunton Green itself is a small village with a rich history. Just 2 miles north of Sevenoaks, it’s perfectly placed for exploring the area’s beautiful scenery and many historic buildings.

Walkers are especially well served, with the ancient broadleaf woodlands of The Kent Downs just a short distance away and the scenic Darent Valley Path and famous Pilgrim’s Way also within striking distance.

If historic buildings are your thing, it’s hard to know where to start, as the area has so many interesting places to visit. You could stroll around seventeenth century Knole enjoying one of England’s largest country houses and its 1,000-acre deer park. Or you could head right back to the Roman era at Lullingstone Roman Villa. The medieval moated manor house of Ightham Mote is also well worth a visit, as is the home of Winston Churchill at Chartwell.

Then again, you could just order another drink, sit back and enjoy the charms of one of the area’s most historic pubs.

Rose & Crown Jewels

• Explore Knole’s 365 rooms, 52 staircases, 12 entrances and 7 courtyards. Then tackle its 1000 acres of deer park.

• Enjoy sweeping views towards the North Downs at Emmetts Garden, a 6-acre garden full of exotic trees and shrubs from around the world.

• Take the North Downs Way through areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty along the Darent River.

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For information about The Aperfield Inn and just some of the many things to see and do in the Westerham area, visit www.vintageinn.co.uk/theaperfieldinnwesterham

The Aperfield Inn 311 Main Road, Biggin Hill, Westerham, Kent,TN16 2HNTel. 01959 542565

This grand country pub sits proudly on the main road through Biggin Hill, and is perfect for anyone looking to explore the villages, countryside and historic sites of scenic Kent. The area is surrounded by woodland and meadows, intersected by the gently meandering river Darent. In fact, the beautiful countryside surrounding Westerham is a Designated Area of Natural Beauty.

Excellent road links put all sorts of things within striking distance. Visit Sir Winston Churchill’s home at Chartwell with its magnificent views over the Weald of Kent. Or see Down House, the home of Charles Darwin at the time he was writing ‘On the Origin of Species’. There are also the scenic Charts Edge Gardens at Hosey Hill, plus several outstanding golf courses within a few miles.

Walkers and cyclists will also find lots of beautiful countryside to explore with 250 acres of unspoiled woodland, formal gardens, wildflower meadows, nature trails and a picnic site at High Elms Country Park. Or look to the skies and imagine the scenes played out during the Battle of Britain when Biggin Hill was one of the principal fighter bases protecting London and South East England.

Not far afield from Aperfield

• See the study where Charles Darwin wrote “On the origin of species” at Down House.

• Take a ramble through a Designated Area of Natural Beauty that is the countryside surrounding Westerham.

• Stroll around Quebec House, the Grade I-listed childhood home of General James Wolfe full of military memorabilia.

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