5th visit of the outing: This real gem of an old-fashioned wet-led pub on my third visit did not disappoint. The quality of its ales is outstanding and it is the sort of pub where good banter with others is encouraged. Barry, the governor, was on duty and only too happy to share his London-connections in the pub trade decades earlier. Prompt friendly service as always and for this mid-evening visit.

2nd visit of the outing: Ticking over for my late afternoon visit with the majority seated at the bar in this time-warp of an old pub that only does food lunchtimes so as not to get in the way of the serious business of drinking come the evening for what appear to be those of a more mature age. Friendly, prompt service as before on my first visit on 13th December 2025. A choice of three real ales on as on my earlier visit and including one from the Thanet-based brewery as in Wantsum and badged up as Anchor Imperial Ale.

7th visit of the outing: From The Miners Arms in Dunton Green we walked to Dunton Green station, which took all of about 10 minutes, for the train running half-hourly to Sevenoaks and which takes it just 4 minutes. Then the walk up the hill, London Road, into Sevenoaks town centre meant we were beginning to grow hungry. We could not fit into the Wetherspoons for something to eat at about 6.15pm so did the other two pubs on our list next which brings us to this gem, believed to date from the early 20th century but which has its roots as a historic coaching inn on London Road with landlords listed from the 1850. Kent's archival website for public houses, dover-kent.com, suggests the pub first opened sometime between 1718 and 1722. Very much a wet-led pub as well since food is served just at lunchtimes according to the local CAMRA branch entry, adding that it is one of the last real traditional pubs in the area. The landlord, Barry, is reputed to be the longest serving and perhaps of all Sevenoaks’ pubs. The 76-year-old, who took over the Admiral Taverns-owned pub, in London Road, in 1979 had poured the record number of Carling pints by November 2012 according to the Sevenoaks Chronicle, and enough to fill five-and-a-half swimming pools. On this visit, the place was comfortably busy but able to accommodate us and with prompt friendly service from the barmaid. It was indeed full of locals exchanging friendly banter and mickey-taking and they were again, like in The Miners Arms, of a more mature age. Three real ales on including one from local brewery, Tonbridge, certainly did not disappoint as indeed neither did the quality of the one I supped. Besides live music performed on Wednesday evenings according to CAMRA’s listing, darts, poker and pool are played and there is a weekly meat raffle.

Early evening fairly quiet in this proper no frills yet comfortable drinkers pub. Relaxing and welcoming atmosphere with no loud idiots unlike the last pub.

Evening.

Evening.

Evening visit.

Thursday evening for a CAMRA social. Fairly busy with a ladies darts match going on.

Evening.

Evening. Not too busy and we settled here.