The Dovecote Inn, Tonbridge

Back in the early 2010’s I commuted past this pub for almost three years, but until Saturday afternoon last weekend I hadn’t actually turned off the A228 to visit. At the rear of the pub is a good sized decked and paved seating area full of picnic tables and beyond is a large car park. Entering the pub from the rear there is a short corridor, with doors to newly decorated toilets on the right. The gents has DC Comic wallpaper and some Victorian photos above the two urinals, nudge nudge wink wink! The bar area consist of seating to the right and a bar counter with more seating to the left. Opposite the bar is a snug with seating for eight, that has been named Bullshit Corner. There is a rustic feel with exposed brick everywhere and there are loads off oddities throughout the pub, such as various ceramic flying pigs, a long necked zebra with fake flowers coming out of its head and a tasselled toucan lamp. The location dictates that this is a food led pub, so there is a chalk board listing gastro dishes at the end of the bar. We went for chips, which were priced at £4. This may seem expensive, but the bowls were huge. The bar counter supports Amstel, Birra Moretti, Orchard Thieves Cider and Guinness. At the rear of the bar is space for eight gravity fed casks. Harveys Best, Bedlam’s Phoenix, Ton’ge Tastic and Old Rosie Cider were available. This is a quirky pub that was filling up with diners during our visit, so the food must be good. I would return again just for the extremely friendly service.

Official site of The Dovecote Inn - www.dovecote-capel.co.uk

Official site of The Dovecote Inn - www.dovecote-capel.co.uk