The Wheel Inn, Ashford

Formerly a Shepherd Neame house, now newly reopened as an independent pub after a comprehensive refurbishment. Mix of semi-traditional and semi-modern features in the mostly opened-out, L-shaped, slightly split-level bar area. Separate dining room further back, and a few tables out in the rear beer garden. Wainwright Gold (£5.50) and Hobgoblin IPA available from the pair of handpumps. Despite some initial local complaints about its 'no children under 14 policy', it had plenty of custom on a Sunday lunchtime.