The Oak & Ivy, Cranbrook

Unfussy but attractive pub on the outskirts of Hawkhurst, set back from the road a bit with a triangular front beer garden. Low ceilinged inside the traditionally furnished main bar, with a small side bar and a separate dining room in a side extension. Just Harvey's and Tonbridge Old Chestnut (£3.80) from the five handpumps. Under new management according to a sign outside, and cash only stated on another, so I guess I caught it in a period of transition.

Visited on Saturday 6th April 2013, Saturday lunchtime.I hadn’t been in here since my younger days, when it (unfairly) had a hooray Henry reputation.Altered from the conventional two bar layout, the left hand section was laid up for dining.We sat in the heavily public bar, to the right of the substantial fireplace and chimney breast. A typically Wealden former farmhouse, rendered with a roof of pegtiles. Beer choice was fairly conventional, with a good pint of Harvey’s iconic Sussex Best Bitter.Nothing from Darkstar on our visit, unfortunately. We enjoyed our fish’n’chips:the landlord was welcoming.Dog and family friendly.Decent pub.

The Oak and Ivy in Hawkhurst would have been a good choice for a dinner stop if not for their being messed around by a wedding party. They had a wedding party booked for 3.30pm, but were struggling to keep up with orders from people invited to said wedding who thought they’d have a meal in the pub before the wedding. The pub had been assured no one would arrive until 3.30pm. They were lied to. Consequently our dinner probably took a little longer to arrive than it might normally have. However with four ales and a cider on the pump, and only one of those ales being remotely common, I’m happy to give the place the benefit of the doubt and try again another time.