The Conningbrook Hotel, Ashford

Large, modern pub / restaurant / hotel, formerly owned by Shepherd Neame but now run by RedCat. Anonymous, semi-modern furniture and decoration in the various seating and dining areas. Normally has Doom Bar on one of the five handpumps - very popular apparently, but waiting for a delivery (so why don't they just order more?). Having established that, went for the Brixton Reliance (£5.35) as the least dull of the various keg options.

A large pleasant hotel and pub, currently owned by Shephard and Neame. It is just off a busy roundabout, has a large car park and is set in pleasant gardens with lawns and an ornamental pond. It consists of a large bar with tables for diners, a separate restaurant and a couple of smaller rooms to give it a pleasant, intimate feel. A mix of wooden and flag floors, bar food and restaurant meals and pleasant helpful staff make it a decent hotel venue, but it is also very much a local pub for some people. Four ales on today, 3 from Shepherd and Neame and one guest, all sampled and found to be in very good condition. A bit contrived in some respects, and the extensive modern hotel accommodation takes the traditional features away, but a goo dplace to stay for an evening for a meal and a few pints.

Official site of the Conningbrook - www.conningbrookashford.co.uk