Half Moon, Tonbridge

Traditional village local, with an attractive opened-out interior, and extended with a pool room in a side conservatory with a covered patio beer garden beyond. Also has a small decking terrace at the front. Live music several times a week and other events advertised. Bombardier and the seasonal Wells Try Time (£3.90) available from two of three hand pumps. Not been here for years, but glad to see it doing well.

Set back from the Tonbridge Road (B245) by a car park is the Half Moon that, due to people sitting on the raised front decking, looked very busy as I approached on Friday afternoon. Inside the pub it was much quieter in the U shaped bar area where a lone local sat and a friendly woman working the jump welcomed me into her pub. Amongst the standard draught range were three hand pumps that were drawing Sharps’ Doom Bar alongside Tonbridge Brewery’s Coppernob and Blonde Ambition. I opted for the Blonde before having a wander around the pub. To the left of the bar up a couple of steps is a small seating area next to an inglenook and fireplace. Bare floorboards run down the front of the pub where there are a couple of high tables and a large clock that has been made into a table top. On the left wall is a plasma screen that was showing cricket via Sky Sports and on all of the walls are slogans such as “when nothing goes right go left”. To the right rear is a dining area and a conservatory has been added to the right hand side of the pub. This area houses a dartboard, pool table, jukebox and two plasma screens. Beyond the conservatory are some picnic tables that are shielded from the elements. The stated opening times are from midday until 23:00 Monday to Saturday and Midday to 22:00 on Sundays. Although I did not read a food menu I did spot an advertised children’s menu and Wifi is also advertised. This is my sort of pub and was probably my favourite of the pubs that I have been to in this area. If I lived nearby this pub would certainly be my local.