The Fruiterers Arms, Sittingbourne

Quite a plain-looking pub with a grey facade and a similarly restrained interior. The front bar is simply furnished with green and cream paintwork. A larger lounge / restaurant has a more usual look. Also has a rear beer garden and a few small tables out front in a good position overlooking the village green. Just London Pride (£4.40) on handpump at the front, but Tribute and Sharp's Atlantic also available from a bank of three on the rear counter.

Set in a very picturesque Kent village, this local pub is testimony to the main commercial activity of this area - fruit growing. It's divided into two areas, the public bar, which has carpets, an open fireplace, a woodburner, a dartboard, plenty of barstools and bench seating. The other half - not really a saloon bar as such - is mostly furnished with dining tables and claims to be a restaurant, although they wouldn't feed us as we arrived 5 minutes after the food order cut-off time. Fair enough - we later ate elsewhere. The restaurant side has been extended and also has a large open fire which now acts as a centrepiece, and there is a picture window onto the well-kept garden and smoking area. Three ales on - two Sheps and a guest, which was Doombar. I had the latter which was OK but not at its best. It's OK to drop in for a pint and a meal (provided you arrive on time) but it's twee, cliched and I think the village deserves better.