In today's episode of 'Who Does BRAPA Think He Is?' we head to the posh but beautiful village of Benenden, a more quintessentially English scene you could not wish to see, with the chirruping of songbirds and distant sound of leather on willow coming from the village green. 'Owzat? Pretty good actually!
Grandpa BRAPA Desmond (not a West Indian hairdresser) was brought to Benenden here to convalesce due to his chronic bronchitis, and we drive past the same hospital on the way in.
He died when I was a baby before I'd even tried ESB so I don't remember him, but photographic evidence shows we met ....
..... and Daddy B. reports his time here did him the world of good.
And although the Bull, Benenden (2909 / 5069) is incredibly posh, such a happy experience had us feeling like he was smiling down upon us. In fact, when Daddy B goes a-wanderin' halfway through this sick little sesh, the landlady keeps him chatting and is pleased to hear our story, giving him a 'special' third glass as a souvenir. A cute touch from an engaging pub. The second week running that Dad has returned home with an unlikely drinking vessel after our Chingford Curios experience last time out. Atmospheric and ancient with some quality 9/10 rugs and plenty of alcoves and narrow corridors, it felt mostly untouched by progress, despite the obvious dining bent. The Kent Bitter from Larkins is as traditional as it comes, I loved it, and I'm sure if Desmond snuck out in his pyjamas and knocked on Princess Anne's stable door and they popped down here for an all night lock-in here, I bet they drank this.
It is time for pub five, but worth noting our heroic chauffeuring host Paul G. had actually included the Chequers at Lamberhurst on today's agenda, but it is me who decides (thinking of trains back to London) it might be a bit tight timewise, so let us abandon it for another day. Yes I know, I'll never complete the GBG with that kinda attitude, but especially with Daddy BRAPA in tow, I didn't want us waking up on Gillingham beach.
With even more stunning views over beautiful Mid Kent, we come to my pub of the day, Queen's Head, Sutton Valence (2910 / 5070) which isn't quite the GBG mainstay like most of today's pubs. This surprises me because it oozes quality from every pore, nay, orifice. Just be careful you don't go to the King's Head by mistake, just at the bottom of the same road. A cruel and deliberate attempt to trip me up, see also Plockton and Adlington. Amazing carpet, ancient fireplace, amusing locals and a summertime Goachers seasonal beer I'd not had before, and what a brilliant brewery that lot are! Best Maidstone export since Judge Dread? We'd walked into a scene where snooty lady asks all and sundry if the pub did food. It was a no, she looked like she'd swallowed a wasp, and my sarky comment when she left (can't remember what but it was a ZINGER, obvs) thankfully endears me to the bar blockers, it had been 50/50 as to whether I should open my mouth. But when in doubt in a pub, best speak your mind!
'Twas time to say goodbye to Paul G, who drops us off in the chaotic traffic dinosaur obsessed town of Maidstone, but politely declines to join us in the 'Spoons for our final tick.
Paul had been a great chauffeur, full of the local knowledge, and I'm looking forward to seeing him again for West Kent / Dymchurch area / North Gloucs days in the future. When the new GBG hits my doormat, Kent will be one of counties I'll be most fascinated to study.
Fact of the matter is that if you ignore The Stag, every tick I've ever done in this underrated pub town should be classed as 'above average', even that hardly ever open underground craft stinker was enjoyable to me. Last year's excellent outskirts Walnut Tree too, now supplemented by an above avg Wetherspoons in the form of Society Rooms, Maidstone (2911 / 5071), somehow cosy despite the huge amount of glass giving it a 'Glass House' nickname and goldfishesque outlook. A brutal Windsor & Eton IPA tastes about 8%, but I think that was just the way my day was going. Locals purr nasally like Kent cats, the carpet is an easy 7.75/10, and with the rain just starting to drizzle for the first time today, we are comfortable for the next London bound train.
Yes, so comfortable, there's even time for you know what ......
.... though the price has gone up to £6.70! Where will it end?
Have a fun week, Si
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