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Disappointment of the week with Tris39
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
The Plough, Tonbridge
Hildenborough
Postal town: Tonbridge
TN11 9AJ
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Plough
A fine old country pub on a back lane that you would never find by chance, but worth a stop if you are in the area. Although the interesting and very traditional interior is currently closed due to coronavirus restrictions, this place benefits from a substantial beer garden that was doing reasonable midweek business in the distinctly chilly, early evening sunshine. Two real ales from the local Tonbridge Brewery - Coppernob (£4.40) and Rustic - being served on gravity from a hatch in the separate barn that is mainly used as a wedding venue. Overall, nice to get back to an old haunt of mine after a few decades.
On 21st April 2021
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8086 recommendations about 8086 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about The Plough Inn
A large and rambling rustic country pub in the lanes beyond Hildenborough, separate areas link together inside with the bar being a central feature. Very low black and white beamed ceilings vaulted in the snug-like room behind the bar, predominantly exposed brickwork all around and clearly from different eras. I'd guess the pub has evolved from three cottages and with an addition to the rear, also of some age. Beyond there is a black timbered barn annexe which can be reserved for functions.
Ceiling beams are abundantly draped with hops throughout the pub, flooring varies as you move around and is of slightly changing levels which to me are more of significance to the evolution of the building rather than the geography, the cheap laminate in the dining area was a bit disappointing however. There is a large garden area and an equivalently large car park.
A huge inglenook through fireplace to the left of the main room was sadly unlit, featuring just tea-light candles on our Sunday lunch visit, low level heating via plug in convectors really not being the same.
We were here for food as well as drink, Sunday roasts are very good indeed and clearly home done and although priced at the upper range the food is worth it. As regards the beers, three on, a few handpumps in addition look disused. Tonbridge Copper Nob, Tonbridge Rustic plus Westerham Spirit of Kent. Not many beer miles here.
The snug like narrow room behind the bar has a dartboard which may be usable sometimes, the toilet lobby had a forlorn looking bar billiards table, if in use it really should be in a more convivial part of the pub.
A nice pub with great food and an ok beer range however I just felt a few corners had been cut and credence lost with the cheap flooring in the back and the convector heating with proper fires unlit.
Note, currently closed all day Mondays and Tuesdays.
On 3rd December 2017
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1707 recommendations about 1681 pubs]