The Yeoman, Maidstone

Official site of The Yeoman - www.theyeomanbearsted.co.uk

Official site of The Yeoman - www.theyeomanbearsted.co.uk

The former Kentish Yeoman has had a makeover since my previous visit, and the refurbished bar now has modern furniture and decor. There is a new carvery area to one side of the 'L'-shaped bar and a dining room in the conservatory extension beyond. Also retains some benches out on the front patio. Despite promoting itself as a gastro-pub, there are still several sports TVs and live music is advertised (both seemingly more representative of the clientele). Disappointingly, only two of five handpumps were on during my latest visit, offering Greene King IPA and London Pride (£3.30).

Previously The Kentish Yeoman, this roadside pub offers welcome respite from the M20. It's also a busy village local, and it makes a good job of the compromise. It has changed hands since Steve C's review of last year, and there seems to have been an improvement. The original building has been extended and opened up, and there is now a large, L-shaped main bar with a smaller dining area to one side and a carvery, previously a games room, on the other. The floors are a pale wood, and the original brickwork has been exposed around the fireplaces, although they have been repaired with more modern brickwork and new oak sills. The effect is contrasted by the gaming machines and tv screen, but overall these are negligible. The staff are very helpful and friendly, the range of bar food is good and feshly cooked, and the prices are reasonable. There were 4 ales on, and I had a rare pint of Old Peculiar on draft, slightly past its best but still a decent pint. A good place to break a journey, and I'd be happy to spend an evening here.

The Lion of Kent advertises itself as a carvery and gastro pub and looking through the windows of the conservatory at the rear I could see set tables adorned with lit candles so I wasn’t expecting much as I approached the entrance. An A board by the door informs readers that the mains start at £8 with an average price across the menu of a tenner. The kitchen is open from midday until 15:00 and 18:00 until 21:30 during the week and from midday until 21:30 at the weekend. I was surprised to find the bar very busy with a local crowd during my Friday afternoon visit. Deal or No Deal was just starting on the plasma screen, but it was only on as the Cheltenham Gold Cup had just finished. The barmaid was soon over to switch it onto Sky Sports News, so football must be shown. The bar is stocked with standard draught and also supports five hand pumps. Two of these were unused leaving Greene King IPA, Harvey’s Best and Hobgoblin as the ale options. A quiz is advertised for every Thursday from 20:30 and live music is also advertised on a Thursday evening, not sure how that works? There is some seating outside the front of the pub behind a bush topped knee high wall which does little to mask the adjacent main road. I found the service to be friendly but some of the punters were a bit shifty and lacking in manners. I do not plan a return visit anytime soon.