Packed on arrival at exactly on the dot of two on the second day of its Spring Bank Holiday beer festival and yet none of the 70 beers, 60 in the garden marquee serving area, and 10 inside this ancient pub’s interior had run out. Certainly ready to sample the real ales after an hour and a half walk from Paddock Wood Station where just outside was an excellent cafe's breakfast and then the rural walk along footpaths all the way. A very orderly and efficient snaking queue provided by ropes on metal poles meant there was no survival-of-the-fittest mode needed and no people were permitted by this roping arrangement to congregate to just sup their beers in the immediate serving area which is my pet-hate to observe and try to navigate around at the average beer festival. All of 5 minutes’ wait was the longest to be served via this queuing system. Plenty of bench-seating inside the beer tent and a spot was found which afforded a view of the snaking queue to the bar and the bongo drummers performing magnificently outside. A great line-up of beers and with traditional styles chosen such as bitters and milds that were minus all those acidic fruits that my tummy is not so partial to. I would give this festival 10 out of 10 as there was nothing not to like about it, including a fellow beer festival-goer and a self-confessed local engaging in good banter and recommending other local real ale pubs in this part of Kent.

A contrast to the previous Saturday when I first visited this gem of a pub. Its four-day beer festival had commenced and I got here mid-afternoon on its second day, the Saturday, and was suitably impressed by the numbers here and the live one-man band performing during my visit. Most especially, I was impressed that all 70 real ales were still on mid-afternoon. It was my mission as at other recent beer festivals to seek out the traditional ales only: bitters, milds, stouts and porters and the odd red and brown, rather than just try the usual fruity/citrusy pales that dominate my usual micropub's selection. I actually prefer ales following the more traditional recipes as well but do not totally dislike the odd pale ale. Here they only did halves as the smallest measure whereas thirds do permit me to try more.

My first visit to this very rustic rambling old farmhouse of a pub from a bygone age. Full of separate rooms housing misshapen wooden tables and nooks and crannies everywhere full of old paraphernalia. Dusty bookshelves adorn some of the internal walls, a seat from an old tractor can be sat on, dried hops hang down with the odd cobweb and blackboards list the typically 8 regular real ales on, including a traditional bitter at 4.5% called Brenchley Best from Tonbridge and a Horsmonden Pale at 4.3% from Kent Brewery also on, plus listing up to 3 guest beers on, 2 on my visit, and served direct from the cask. There is no jukebox, no fruit machine and no television except for rugby and the World Cup by all accounts – it was not even on for the FA Cup Final on my visit. Gaining grade II listed status in 1990, the Halfway House used to be on the main route through to Hawkhurst, Tenterden and the coast and is weather-boarded at the rear and brick at the front. Prompt friendly service for my mid-afternoon arrival and sat out in the rear garden with some fellow real ale enthusiasts on this afternoon outing and having walked just over some 3 miles from Paddock Wood Station.

Lunchtime meeting with 10 old friends. We had a table in a separate area to ourselves. Great range of beers, good food, friendly.

Not been to this gem of a pub since 2010 and its not changed a bit. Friendly and welcoming we chatted with the locals mulling over the area's beer scene..

Stop five. I've not been here since 2007. Ian couldn't work out what made him not love the place. Personally I think it was the write walls and ceiling - too much reflected light. But anyway, a very nice pub. No Larkins on though, which was dissappointing.

Chris Excels memorial bus tour continues. My first visit and what a pub. 8 ales available all at £4.60. Great choice and such a pity its rained so much.

Lunchtime- meeting friends for lunch from Rochester and Brighton - aptly named for our get together. My first visit here and I was very impressed. A genuine Freehouse with a fascinating interior. All ales from the barrel - a good traditional bitter called Brenchley Best from Tonbridge at 4.5% and a Horsmonded Pale from Kent at 4.3% also on.

We came to meet Anne for lunch on a pleasant October Sunday. We sat up in the snug and enjoyed our beer.Busy with drinkers and diners.

A wet January Monday lunchtime,allegedly the nation's first day at work.After doing some, we met the rest of the family in an upper room, and watched the antics of a man fettling a wickerwork horse in the garden.