The Bridges, Dartford

Solid traditional pub that - even though it is painted in brilliant white - would stand out more if not dominated by the imposing Darenth Viaduct. Opened out inside to leave a 'U-shaped layout with old-fashioned furniture and decor, and full of old wrestling memorabilia. Although the lockdown was lifted over a month ago, still just Doom Bar (£3.80) available from the four handpumps, although a reversed Wantsum clip was noted on one of the others.

This pub has a great many things going for it. The most striking of these is its dramatic position beneath the South Darenth Viaduct – a most impressive backdrop as you approach the pub from the south. The location is further enhanced by the presence of the River Darent, which runs along the far end of the compact, sun trap beer garden. Once inside, there is more to recommend. The pub has a simple L-shape layout with a wooden floor bar area to the left and a carpeted space with several settles to the right. White walls with dark beams give the place a traditional look and this has been complimented by an impressive collection of artifacts that fill the front of the pub. Most notable is the vast collection of brass items including pots, pans, horse brasses, plates, jugs, pokers, kettles, bed pans and musical instruments. The right hand end of the pub is almost like a village museum, as it’s filled with local pictures and photographs including lots of items relating to the village’s small fire brigade who, according to a large banner outside the pub, seem to be under threat of closure. Two fireman’s helmets flank a large Courage mirror and there was a closed dartboard cabinet in the far corner, also covered in horse brasses. To the left of the servery, the room extends towards the rear of the building and here the décor is a little more restrained with some smarter seating in booth style formations and a compact fireplace. Here the walls have been decorated with a lot of signed photographs from the world of showbiz and mementos from the landlord’s former career as a professional wrestler. Much to recommend then, but alas it’s not all good news. A promising trio of hand pumps offered Fuller’s London Pride or two beers from the local Millis brewery – Dartford Wobbler and Kentish Best. I opted for a pint of the latter at £3.20 but was disappointed to find the quality was not up to scratch. Sadly, the previous review suggests that this is not a one off which is a great disappointment as it detracted from what was otherwise an enjoyable visit. This pub is just a few tweaks away from being a very attractive proposition, but until beer quality is improved it remains little more than a tempting break point for anyone walking from the train station to the Bull in Horton Kirby. One to keep an eye on perhaps.

Spectacularly situated beneath a towering viaduct, the Bridges gets its name not from the brick behemoth that towers overhead but from the owner of the pub itself, former world heavyweight wrestling champion Wayne Bridges. Before assuming its current title it was called the Sun and had been since it was built in 1875 although a previous pub is thought to have occupied the site even though maps from 1865 show no signs any buildings here. This is a place that I have passed many times without venturing inside, surprising given that it does look very enticing from the outside. Internally it immediately strikes the visitor as a charming pub, packed solid with a huge collection of brasses, coppers, pots, pans and curios plus several old local photos with an emphasis on the local fire brigade. The L-shaped bar is broken up my a few divides and there is a small room tacked onto one side containing a dart board. To one side of the pub, where there once stood stables that housed horses for the local fire brigade, is a pleasant garden beside the River Darent. The 4 handpumps had an interesting selection of ales including Naylors Autumn Ale (£3), Dark Star Over The Moon, Harveys Best and Kents Best from the local Millis Brewery. Unfortunately the quality of my pint was poor, bordering on undrinkable which begs the question, would you complain to the landlord that his beer was crap knowing that he has previously upended the likes of Big Daddy and Giant Haystacks? I perservered with what I was had and left after 1 pint which is a shame as the pub does have so much going for it. I had hoped this would be a one off but reports elsewhere suggest this is an ongoing issue. I would hate to mark a pub down for consistently poor ales, especially when it shows support for its local microbrewery and if nothing else, it has implanted a desire, or even a need, to return when hopefully the quality will be better and I can look at hiking up the rating a couple of points.