The Rose & Crown, Sevenoaks

This is a nice no-frills local’s pub in the village of Halstead, a five minute or so detour from Junction 4 of the M25. Entering into the right-hand side of the pub past a nice etched glass window that encouragingly bears the word ‘Ales’, you find yourself in a carpeted room that has been set up for diners but also feels casual enough for you to settle down for a drink. There’s a small fireplace to the left next to a doorway through to the Public Bar, before the room’s own serving hatch appears midway along the left-hand wall. The bar here has a plain counter, a collection of horse brasses across the beam above and some old duelling pistols on the bar back. The room is pretty plain, with white walls throughout, broken up by a beer board, a few black and white photos of local scenes and a Courage Ales mirror. The room is furnished with simple tables and chairs, mostly arranged down the right-hand wall, making it ideal for those wanting to eat. The door to the left takes you into a basic looking Public Bar with a much longer bar along the back wall and some very limited seating options, mostly in the shape of hard benches, down the front wall. A few TV screens in here were showing a mix of sports channels with the sound off and I also spotted a dartboard and a nice fireplace on the left-hand wall. More blackboards and photos enliven the walls and there were a good few locals propping up the bar and watching the sport on our lunchtime visit. Out the back, there is a large beer garden with patio and lawn areas and a nice shelter at one end. An annex in the left-hand side of the building seems to be in use as a restaurant, but it looked closed when we arrived, so we didn’t explore further. The pub has found its way into the Good Beer Guide in recent years and they had no less than six cask ales on the go when we arrived, which I was quite surprised about. Options on this visit were Cellar Head Fireside and Winter Pale, Whitstable Pearl of Kent, Gadds Black Pearl, 3 Piers Mariners Gold and Larkins Traditional. I tried a pint of the Traditional and thought it was very well kept, served to us by a taciturn but helpful barman. We also had food here and although the menu is restricted to staple pub dishes, the quality was very good and we both left with full bellies. I quite enjoyed my visit here and thought it was a well run village pub with good beer, simple but filling food and two well-defined bars. I appreciate the pub may feel a bit rough and ready to some, but if you’re looking for a proper village boozer with well-kept cask ale, you could do a lot worse than this place.

I found this pub by chance as it happens. But I enjoyed it so much I think be making my way back there sometime soon. It was a really hot day and the beer garden was perfect for enjoying it. Great ales, great day. If only I found a pub like this every time I get lost.