The Swan on the Green, Maidstone

Wonderful pub to use on a warm, sunny afternoon as the setting sun shines right onto the benches outside, several of which front directly onto to the road ... but don't worry for the Swan sits at the end of a cul-de-sac that goes almost no-where so almost all the traffic - what little of there that there is - is heading to the pub anyway. As others have said, the view is onto the village green and so is as tranquil as any you'll find in Kent. Beer is tasty and of good quality as it should be being as it's brewed in outbuildings round the rear of the pub. Interior is mostly wood and tradition; food is good but not cheap.

A pub set in an amazingly picturesque location on the village green (where you can watch the cricket in season). The building dates back to the 19th century and has been a pub since the 1850’s. It brews its own beer on site (Swan microbrewery), which tastes decent and is reasonably-priced as a consequence – five are usually available at any one time. A cider was also on though I forget which. A real fire spotted inside for the winter months. There’s been mutterings elsewhere about the landlord’s attitude but there was none in evidence when I visited. All the staff were quite friendly to us. Food is available. Annoyingly, the toilets are labelled with the male/female swan names – pointlessly irritating. For the summer months, this is one the best places I've ever been too - amazing. Just go here on a sunny day and be blown away by it.