The Orange Tree, Dartford

Attractive Shepherd Neame pub, having had an up-and-down time over the last few years, is now on the verge of reopening (possibly on the evening of this visit at the end of March). However, I did manage to pop in and have a chat with the new owners to view the refurbished staple-shaped interior. The pair of handpumps on the counter weren't working yet, but I could see the Master Brew and Spitfire clips ready to be fixed. With grateful thanks to the new landlord, I did have a quick Bear Island East Coast IPA, and I wish them well.

Official site of The Orange Tree - www.orangetreewilmington.co.uk

Official site of The Orange Tree - www.orangetreewilmington.co.uk

The Orange tree is a nice looking pub that is close to the Cressy Arms. Once inside there is an L shaped room with the bar facing,the bar area is bare boarded with the left being carpeted,there is a pool table and the TVs were showing sky sports,the seating to the left is settees and chairs,the rear right side is carpeted and has normal tables and chairs. The pub is a Shepherd Neame tied house,so i was well pleased,there were two real ales on,i had a drink of Shepherd Neame Master Brew which was on top form,the other beer was Whistable Bay. I thought this was a pleasant and comfortable pub to have a drink in and well worth the walk from the middle of Dartford. Pub visited 22/10/2016

A country style village pub that has been swallowed up into Dartford's expansion and whilst technically it is in Wilmington, it is still a viable stroll from Dartford Town Centre. The interior is fairly old fashioned, a mix old 60's standard pub décor with some attempts to make it trendy by including the odd bit of soft furnishing. To the left of the entrance, the room is dominated by a pool table whilst the immediate bar area itself is quite small with some quite uncomfortable built in seating opposite that seriously need a spot of reupholstering. To the right of the bar is an extended area which provides a bit more space and comfort with a selection of sofas mixed in with more traditional seating. The beer range is a restrained Shepherd Neame selection, usually just Spitfire and Master Brew on pump with a permantly reversed clip that teases one to thinking that they usually have the seasonal offering. They rarely do. Beers are always decent quality and reasonably priced. There are some interesting old pictures dotted about including some old photos of the pub and a few autographed football pictures mainly relating to '66. There area couple of plasma screens and a varied programme of entertainment from live music, Sunday music quiz, mystic evenings and even pole dancing classes. There is also a pleasant garden at rear. Some of the locals can be a bit loud and lairy, symptomatic of the area and staff should perhaps make more of an effort to address the language but generally it is a decent enough place if you are in the area or passing by.