Six Bells, Ashford

Traditional village pub with a partly opened-out interior with side room to the right of the bar and another (larger) one down a couple of steps behind the central servery. Rustic furniture and limited decoration in all parts, but a welcome real fire. Also has a number of round wooden benches (painted a rather disturbing shade of blue) out front, and more in the rear beer garden. With two of the three handpumps in use, I found Landlord (£4.10) and London Pride available.

There were three ales on - London Pride, Harvey's Best, and Timothy Taylor Landlord. the pint of Landlord I had was in good condition, but nevertheless it looks as if the selection might be not quite as good as when previous reviewers visited. I didn't see a menu, but they obviously do food as there is a large dining area at the back on the left with all tables laid for diners, and some specials were advertised on a blackboard. It really does have the look of a country pub. Dark posts and beams are all over the place, and an attractive brick fireplace sits between the main bar as you enter and the room that has been added on the right. There's a fair bit of outside seating as well. Furnishings are all traditional, and the place overall had a warm intimate atmosphere. But (for me anyway) the ambience was detracted from somewhat by the flashing fairy lights on the ceiling, and plastic foliage draped around the posts and beams. But I still liked this place a lot, and would be happy to return here sometime, perhaps for a meal.