New Flying Horse, Ashford

Despite the 'new', this is a fine old Kentish building with a history as a posting house and inn dating back to the 17th century. Nowadays a Shepherd Neame house, but still offering upmarket hotel accommodation. Obviously very food-led, with one of the original bars now a dining room, and the connecting room beside the remaining one is also set aside for dining. Large beer garden. However, the survivor retains some character and was busy with ale drinkers early on a Sunday lunchtime. Master Brew, Spitfire Gold and Whitstable Bay Pale (£3.75) were available from three of four handpumps, and there was also a reasonable selection of bottled beers from the owning brewery.

Official site of New Flying Horse - www.newflyinghorsewye.co.uk

Official site of New Flying Horse - www.newflyinghorsewye.co.uk

A largeish two bar pub in this academic village, a fairly old building with a garden to one side, which somewhat bizarrely incorporates a “Chelsea Pensioners’ Garden”. We came in on a late afternoon in early spring:some chavs were being moderately lairy on one of the benches, but mercifully went into the garden , presumably to annoy the venerable servicemen. A Shep’s house, it offered Masterbrew, Spitfire, Canterbury Jack and Early Bird. We only stopped for one drink, but the Early Bird had a useful and refreshing quality and was much appreciated. I can’t really comment on the pub as we weren’t in for long, but the girls behind the bar were friendly, and our dogs were made welcome.