Harvester White Hart, Gravesend

Whatever the original White Hart might once have been, the rebuilt Harvester now has a semi-modern appearance. Anyway, no surprises here, with the expected anonymous, corporate furniture and decor in the various dining areas. However, there is some mixed seating around the compact bar, plus a small patio beer garden. The drinks choice is typically poor, with no real ale, so the BrewDog Planet Pale (£2.60, half) was the best bet.

Official site of Harvester Gravesend - www.harvester.co.uk

Official site of Harvester Gravesend - www.harvester.co.uk

The White Hart is a Harvester run pub with a large dining area and servery to the left and a bar area to the right. It was very quiet during a recent Tuesday lunch visit, in fact there were more people in the bar area than the restaurant. I was going to eat, but I didn’t see a lunch menu and didn’t fancy a £13 burger. From the bar a standard keg selection is available and the three handpumps were all drawing Sharp’s Doom bar, which was unavailable. I didn’t spot any televisions, but there was some generic background music playing, probably from a corporate CD. There is plenty of parking and to the right of the pub are picnic tables in an area fenced off from the cars. The service was polite, but I can’t see myself returning here anytime soon.

A large roadside inn currently operated by Harvester. It is one of their better outlets – the staff are pleasant and friendly, the customers relatively civilised and the décor, although corporate, feels comfortable. There is a large car park, but for some reason the smokers choose to congregate in the entrance porch. The food, however, is still dire. The building is of some interest and the retention of the brick fireplaces and lapboard ceilings gives it a modicum of character. Only beer on draft was Overgassed Speckled Hen, but this was tolerable. Free wifi is available. I wouldn't spend an evening here, but it's fine to drop in for refreshments when travelling.

Nice food most of the time but gets a bit loud also with mad kids running around. AVOID THIS PLACE ON A SUNDAY, unless you like that special Kent home grown caravan outdoors accent and the view of Ford Transit pick ups over your lunch.