Kings Head, Rochester

The core of an historic building dating back to pre-Norman times, The King's Head is essentially a medieval hotel complex now thinned down to a pub/restaurant. The business is chaotic and run in an amateur fashion – despite there being only 2 small bars, few customers and an abundance of young staff, it took 10 minutes to get served and another 20 to pay as they couldn't operate the tills. There is sober background music, modern wooden flooring and historic stained glass. Free wifi is available, and there is a small tv screen in the corner. Two ales on, GK IPA and Doombar. The IPA was well kept and tasted good, but I lost the will to try the Doombar. It's a pleasant place for a quiet pint and an apt venue to wet the future king's head.

The A board outside the King’s Head on Rochester High Street informs readers that accommodation is available and that food is served all day. The mains are priced around the £8 mark and there is a carvery every Sunday. The interior is made up by seating to the left of the entrance and to the right is a bar with standard draught, Amstel and two hand pumps that were drawing Greene King IPA and St Austell’s Tribute. The décor is predominantly wooden and I got the feeling that the pub was extensively refurbished at some point in the recent past. I found it to be bright and reasonably inviting, but traditional it is not. The Rat Pack was playing in the background and the three plasma screens were all showing a muted episode of the Marx Brothers. I didn’t see any advertisements for Sky Sports and I feel that the management have gone for a more upmarket clientele. I found the service to be polite and I wouldn’t have a problem returning for another pint, but I wouldn’t make this my final destination if on a night out.