Bonny Cravat, Ashford

Oddly named pub this far from northern Britain, but the exterior signage hypothesises that it was either named after a smugglers ship or a carefully tended yew hedge supposedly known as a 'carvet'. Anyway, the multi-room interior has been comprehensively refurbished in a light semi-modern style. A small amount of general seating can be found in front of the central bar, with further tables in a room off to the left, a small lounge on the right-hand side and two dining rooms beyond that. Also has a few wooden benches out front. I found three of the four handpumps in use, offering - as a Shepherd Neame house - Master Brew, Whitstable Bay Pale and the seasonal Cracklewick (£4.10), with a reversed Bishops Finger clip on the other handle.

I visited this pub after having spent an hour or so next door in the Six Bells, and have to say that the comparison was not in favour of the Bonny Cravat. This pub seemed much less atmospheric than its near neighbour, seemingly more brash and modern and with the obvious false beams not helping its country pub credentials. It has a large separate room on the right, but we sat in the fairly small room at the front, which had only two or three normal tables and chairs. But an arch on the left takes you into another room, where half a dozen or so blokes were holding some kind of meeting when I visited, and which leads onto yet another room - a sports room of some kind as a pool table took centre stage. There's some outside seating as well. Being a Shepherd Neame pub I was not surprised to see Master Brew, Spitfire and Whitstable Bay all on. I didn't see any menus around during our early Monday evening visit, but a couple on the next table were tucking into burger etc, and ham, egg & chips. Obviously I don't know what they paid, but it looked to be good quality nosh. This is an OK pub, but it doesn't really have the same country pub feel as its near neighbour, and I don't think it's the sort of pub where you might drive to for an evening meal treat, whereas you would for the Six Bells.

Official site of Bonny Cravat - www.bonnycravat.co.uk

Official site of Bonny Cravat - www.bonnycravat.co.uk