The Playden Oasts, Rye

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Found all over Kent are oast houses that have been converted into dwellings and I ride past many of them every day so I was quite interested to visit this place so that I could have a little look inside. Obviously the interior of the three converted oasts are nothing like they used to be when they were used for drying hops, but there were plenty of hops hanging from the ceiling and attached to the walls for a bit of effect. The small bar is found opposite the entrance in the central oast where a very uninspiring drinks selection of Carling, Stella, Magners and Surger Guinness was available during my recent Tuesday evening visit. I found it strange that a bar covered with hops in an oast house didn’t sell any ale, but the other customers whom I took to be guests of the attached hotel didn’t seem bothered as they tucked into the red wine and port. The oast to the right was set for dining and the one to the left was lounge like with a few tables. At the rear past the toilets is a small extension that houses some more tables set for dining. The food specials advertised on the menu started at £11 and the mains were priced around £20+. This is certainly more of a food venue rather than drinking hole.
Outside there is a car park and some picnics on a lawn at the rear.

My jeans, trainers and T-shirt didn’t really fit in here and I think the woman in charge thought I was some sort of tramp who had mistaken here establishment for a kebab house. To be fair she was very polite after she realised that I could speak English coherently. After a long walk up the hill from Rye Town this place was disappointing for a beer fan like me. Didn’t try the food, but I’m sure it is very good given the prices.

On 20^th April 2013 - rating: 5
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