The Leicester Arms Hotel, Tonbridge

A smart medieval hotel in a picturesque sandstone village on the upper reaches of the river Medway.Plenty of timber under an encompassing Kent pegtile roof.To the left of the front door, an attractive looking dining room. A hall, with antique looking trunks and stairs to the letting rooms above. To the right, the bar, with space for drinkers and diners. Uneven red brick floor, like we used to have at home years ago. A couple of wood burners,not lit on this mild December lunchtime. On the bar,Larkin's Traditional, from the next village,in first rate condition, together with Westerham's seasonal God's Wallop and the compulsory, but welcome, Harvey's Sussex Best Bitter. Our visit was on the Wednesday between Christmas and New Year's Eve, in that limbo when work is haunting one like a guilty conscience.Accordingly, the bar was busy with families and groups of walkers and their dogs. As expected, food plays a large part, fairly pricey (the nearer we get to London and Surrey...), but generous and well presented. My only grouse, no chunky chips. Unusually for an old property in a floodplain, the lavatories are down a steep flight of steps:this, together with the number of steps and the historic brick floor might prove a problem for the disabled.