The Fighting Cocks, Dartford

In the post-lockdown good weather, largely operating as an outside-only operation, by thankfully it has an extensive riverside beer garden. No real ale available from the lean-to outside bar, but this could be fetched from inside on request. I had something from Cellar Head which was fine (whatever it was, £3.80).

This pub was originally built as a farmhouse back in 1776 before being converted to its current use in 1818. The first landlord used to organise illegal cock fights as reflected by the pub’s current name. The building has since been extended quite a bit and presents itself as a pleasant country pub focused a little more on the food side of the business. Entering at the front of the building, you find yourself in the main bar which also doubles up as an informal dining space. The room is carpeted with standard tables and chairs and a single sofa and has a section to the right in which children are not permitted. The windows have nice etched glass bearing the pub’s symbol and there are a couple of nice fireplaces at either end of the room. The cream walls and smart furniture make the place look a bit gastro and this is further emphasized when you move through the pub, past the bar to the extension where we find a wooden floor restaurant complete with a conservatory which looks out over the pleasant beer garden. To access the garden, you need to pass through a small second bar which is perhaps the space best suited for drinkers. The room is in a similar style to the front bar, but with fewer tables and walls decorated with music and sporting memorabilia including a signed England football shirt, Pele photo and cricket bats from Ian Botham and Andrew Flintoff, plus several seemingly unrelated gold and platinum discs. A door leads out to the large garden which has a river running along the bottom. There are plenty of picnic benches in the middle of the lawn as well as a rabbit and chicken enclosure to the left and a children’s playground to the right. Three hand pumps offered Wells Eagle IPA, Harvey’s Best and Dark Star Hophead. I gave the Hophead a try and it seemed to be kept in very good condition. The bar staff were very friendly and dealt well with lots of large groups crowding the bar and wanting feeding. This pub might not be ideal for the drinker, but it is a well run, very well kept place which is ideal for family groups looking for somewhere pleasant to eat. The nearby Bull might be the place to go for a good pint, but if the sun is shining, you could do a lot worse than enjoy a quick beer next to the river here.

Lovely setting - fabulous friendly warm pub - but the main attraction is the Riverside Conservatory Restaurant which overlooks the beautiful gardens. Food is always wonderful and staff efficient and friendly. Always look forward to going - never disappoints.