The Dirty Habit, Maidstone

Facebook page of The Dirty Habit - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of The Dirty Habit - www.facebook.com

Formerly the Pilgrims Rest and Kings Head, this is now - despite the slightly dodgy name - an upmarket dining pub from the small local Elite Pubs chain. On a Sunday lunchtime, all the tables bar one were laid up for those eating, with the bar stools being the only other indoor option (although there is also an attractive, part-covered patio terrace at the back). Being located on the Pilgrims Way, this historic inn retains a lot of character, despite having been partly opened-out, with dark wood-panelling on some walls and exposed timbers elsewhere. Four real ales on handpump: the obligatory Harvey's, Doom Bar, Landlord and the green-hopped Flash in the Pan from the local Musket Brewery (£4.50).

Official site of The Dirty Habit - www.elitepubs.com

Official site of The Dirty Habit - www.elitepubs.com

A pleasant Georgian façade enclosing a much older building, reputedly dating back to the time of the monks on the ancient Pilgrims Way at the top of the village. Part of a small locally based chain of fairly upmarket pubs, this is largely a food led house, but the varying beer list often features beers from Kent micros, including Tonbridge and Whitstable. Smoothly run, the welcome and service was pleasant but not ingratiating, the meals early on a wet July evening were generous and good value. We’d arrived, bedraggled and muddy,having met our son and his mate who had been walking a couple of sections of the North Downs Way, which passes the pub. This didn’t appear to phase the staff:indeed most of the other punters appeared to be a group of Dutch hikers enjoying fine ale. Unfortunately for me, the Hopback Summer Lightening went off, but in exchange I had the best pint of Landlord I’d had outside Yorkshire. A walking area, the pub has a display of walks of varying lengths centred on the village. We’re not too far from Hollingbourne, and can see ourselves returning.