Brewers Fayre Bobbing Apple, Sittingbourne

Standard Brewers Fayre pub / restaurant beside a Premier Inn, with all the expected charm (i.e. none) inside the various corporately decorated seating and dining areas. The general area around the bar is slightly split-level and reasonably sized, but surprisingly sparsely furnished. Also has a modest beer garden and a children's play area. Just Doom Bar (£5.40 with a packet of peanuts) from the pair of handpumps, but at least this was in good shape.

The Bobbing Apple is a Brewers Fayre family friendly carvery and pub adjacent to a Premier Inn and a McDonalds. The entrance leads to split-level seating to the right where an exposed brick chimney and fireplace sit on sit on the rear wall. The bar counter is on the rear wall to the left. During a recent midweek lunchtime visit standard and premium keg were available alongside Sharp’s Doom Bar, the GK Abbot Ale was off. The carvery is located on the left-hand end of the bar counter and the large left-hand side of the pub is for diners. The food menu is actually quite small, leaning more towards the grill. The bacon cheeseburger is priced at £11. Obviously there is a car park, which is shared with the hotel. Don’t forget to enter your car registration onto the tablet opposite the bar to avoid a hefty fine. Thankfully I remembered to do this just before I left, but I would have appreciated it if one of the staff had prompted me to do it when I ordered. There are some picnic tables outside, and the background music is piped out of the pub in a vain attempt to mask the noise of the passing traffic on the A249. There is also some children’s climbing apparatus. I don’t think anyone has ever said “do you fancy a few beers up the Bobbing Apple”.