The George & Dragon, Orpington

A visit to this delightful old village pub makes a great double-header with the Queen's Head over the road. There's a central island servery with drinking and dining areas meandering around it. There are at least three brick-built fireplaces; there's a main bar area at the front on the right; further back on the right through an archway is a small area with a couple of armachairs; at the front on the left is another snall bar area with creaky parquet flooring; and further back on the left is a largish room that appears to be more of a dining area and has a food servery on the right. As you might expect, there are black posts and beams all over the place. Above the servery in the right hand bar there is a "mural" of a hunting scene, and dried hops are draped all over the place. Right at the back is a garden, complete with a bouncy castle(!) but thankfully not in use when I visited. The ale selection wasn't exceptional, with just timothy Taylor Landlord, and Harvey's Best (£2.05 a half) on. They do food on a weekday a lunchtime, and although I didn't examine a menu in detail it looked reasonably priced. I did see a small blackboard on the counter advertising Scotch eggs (£3.50) and ice lollies (£1), Like its near neighbour the Queen's Head, this pub benefits from a delightful village location overlooking the old church. This is another pub worth a visit if you're in the area.

One of two pubs practically opposite one another in the small village of Downe, handy for Charles Darwin's house and the Christmas tree farm, this is a typical rural pub with a former multiple room layout now opened out into a continuous room. The front left area is still fairly self contained and has tongue and groove panelling and a lit brick fireplace with lots of Darwin themed items on show around the walls. The seating within is fairly formal and all of the tables were occupied by diners enjoying their Sunday lunch. From here, you can access a further dining room behind the bar area, which also seemed to be full, although I didn't manage to get a proper look. The main bar area is to the front right, with an L-shaped servery opposite the front entrance boasting a part tiled counter, dark wood frontage and bar back plus an amusing mural depicting rural scenes running around the top. Another lit fireplace to the right provided some much needed warmth and sitting in the limited seating here we were able to admire the leaded windows and more modern etched glass porch. The day's papers were available from a rack and there was a TV screen above the front door which remained turned off throughout our stay. Following the bar towards the back of the pub, you find yourself in something called the Downe Bar, as signified by a sign on the side door. There were plenty of dark wood pillars and beams here, many of which have been covered with horse brasses. Drinking ledges for vertical drinking and a few small tables and standard chairs were sparingly arranged through this space, whilst beyond is a cosy, snug-like space with another fireplace, a large bookcase, muted lighting and comfortable seating. We tried the Sunday roast after a long walk through the surrounding countryside and thought it was very good and sensibly priced. Three ales were available on this visit - Taylor Landlord, Fullers London Pride and Harveys Best - not perhaps the most thrilling line-up, but a sensible enough choice in a rural pub and my pint of Best was in good shape, as was my companion's Landlord. This is a nice, well run village pub which, despite the alterations within, retains a traditional feel and was doing a roaring trade at Sunday lunchtime, with diners and locals mixing freely. I found this a friendly, welcoming spot for a drink or meal and would be happy to return the next time I'm in the area.

Official site of The George & Dragon - www.georgeanddragondowne.com

The more old-fashioned of the two pubs in Downe, partially opened out at some stage to form various small seating / dining areas in an irregular layout. Traditional furniture and decor. Four handpumps, offering Pride, TT Landlord, Wye Valley HPA and Harveys (£3.50). One issue was the service, which I thought to be rather disinterested (and hardly an encouragement to return any time soon).

Official site of The George & Dragon - www.georgeanddragondowne.com