The Rising Sun, Sevenoaks

This rustic, extended, stone farmhouse is situated on a minor road that weaves through the countryside and makes a welcome stop on the scenic walk from Kemsing village. The spacious beer garden has a kids area and a few benches although they are beginning to show signs of wear and are certainly in need of replacing. The old weathered pub sign has been replaced and happily, the St Georges Cross still flutters around in the wind. The interior is divided into 2 with the Main bar having low ceilings, plenty of old beams and a large inglenook fireplace, part of which is caged off and home to Charlie the parrot who whistles away quite happily whilst awaiting the next finger to chew. It all feels very homely in a “visit to Granny's” sort of way and whilst it may appear a bit cluttered and untidy, I found the lived in “take us as you find us” approach part of the charm. The 5 Ales (sadly I can't remember them but they were an interesting selection) are lined up from left to right in order of strength. The locals apparently refer to them by number rather than name. The first pint we had was beginning to go off which suggests that they maybe have too many Ales for the current customer base. The second beer we tried was fine. Beyond the main bar is a long sunken room with another wonderful old fireplace and an assortment of old radios, butter churners and general junk shop odds and ends as well as a dartboard. Despite being a glorious sunny Sunday afternoon, there appeared to be few visitors although a tractor rally soon arrived and took over the adjacent field. The charismatic landlady was quite chatty and approachable but the mention of food is a slightly taboo subject that encroaches into personal reasons. That said, even if they choose not to offer a hot menu, it would at least be nice to see something simple like a few rolls available, especially given that this is walking country and there is nothing else around without involving a fair trek. I found the Rising Sun to be a charming, quirky and interesting, old fashioned pub that more than deserves the effort to find and the negative aspects are not so great or insurmountable that it would put me off returning.