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Castle Inn (Free House)
| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Long Man - Dry Hopped Session IPA |  | 1 |
| Larkins - Best Bitter | | 1 |
| Larkins - Green Hop Best | | 1 |
| Larkins - Traditional |  | 8 |
| Larkins - Platinum Blonde | | 1 |
| Larkins - Porter |  | 2 |
| Westerham - God's Wallop |  | 1 |
| Titsey - Gresham Hopper (was 3.7%) | | 1 |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | Not Tried | 0 |
Visits Details
02 Sep 2025 (Jack William)
NOT a visit but CAMRA’s heritage bulletin says:
“ The grade II*Castle Inn, owned by the National Trust, closed in early 2024 following the discovery of a void underneath the pub. The cavity was caused by the collapse of a previously unknown medieval well. The stabilisation works are complete and we are pleased to report that the pub reopened in June.”
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|
08 Sep 2019 (Wittenden)
Mid afternoon on a sunny September Sunday.More folk outside than in. Our first visit since the new owners took over.A bit corporate perhaps.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Larkins - Traditional | 3.40 | | Good Larkins.Moreish and toffeeish. |
| Titsey - Gresham Hopper (was 3.7%) | 3.40 | | Thin,watery golden pale ale.Definately not the hoppy kick promised on the pump clip. |
10 Mar 2019 (Jack William)
Late afternoon - a smattering of eaters and drinkers. I particularly liked the courtyard garden.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Larkins - Traditional | 3.40 | | Nice, fruity flavour - hint of peach? |
| Westerham - God's Wallop | 4.00 | | A winter ale with a slightly tart taste. |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Larkins - Porter | 5.20 | Not Tried |
06 Feb 2016 (Wittenden)
Busiest we've seen this pub, on a windy February Saturday lunchtime:diners and drinkers, dogs and kids.We sat by the woodburner in the upper bar and discussed farmers markets.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Larkins - Porter | 5.20 | | In cracking form, just off a five.The right level of austerity, tempered by raspberries.Very drinkable:a classic. |
| Larkins - Traditional | 3.40 | Not Tried |
22 Aug 2015 (Wittenden)
Early evening on a sweltering late August Saturday. The garden was busy with customers,inside it was cooler and quieter. The barman emerged from the cellar bearing a bucket holding a newt.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Man - Dry Hopped Session IPA | 3.80 | | Straw coloured , assertively hopped.Stone fruit,leaf tea.Cracking beer. |
| Larkins - Traditional | 3.40 | | Ah, Larkins ,in the home of Larkins.Toffee and loam. |
03 Jan 2015 (Wittenden)
Late afternoon on a wet January Saturday. A few in:while the others had tea or coffee, I had a Larkins.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Larkins - Traditional | 3.40 | | Earthily toffeeish. |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Larkins - Porter | 5.20 | Not Tried |
29 Nov 2014 (Wittenden)
Busy after a Christmas Fair at the Castle. We came to meet the family and enjoyed lunch
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Larkins - Traditional | 3.40 | | A toffeeish autumnal classic. |
| Larkins - Porter | 5.20 | | Hints of greatness, but sour notes predominating.Taken off during the session. |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried |
26 Oct 2014 (Blair)
Walked the stretch of the eden valley walk from Edenbridge to here. Beautiful pub in a stunning little village. Shame there's not somewhere budget friendly to stay nearby as we'd have stayed here the entire evening!
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Larkins - Green Hop Best | 4.00 | | Just a stunning beer. |
| Larkins - Traditional | 3.40 | | |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried |
06 Sep 2014 (Wittenden)
A warm September Saturday lunchtime.A wedding party in the Public Bar, plenty of people in the Garden:we sat in the Saloon .We subsequently returned like bats in the dusk and enjoyed more beer at the benches in front.An excellent, popular pub.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Larkins - Best Bitter | 4.40 | | I'd not tried this before:dark amber,mellow with robust hoppiness.Hedge fruit.Autumnal.A classic. |
| Larkins - Traditional | 3.40 | | Delightful, though a bit more flinty than flowery.Toffee still there. |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried |
31 May 2014 (Edbeck)
Busy with walking and wedding parties
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Larkins - Traditional | 3.40 | | |
| Larkins - Platinum Blonde | 3.60 | |
About the Castle Inn
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
| 4 |
| 9 |
| 1 |
| 3 |
 | - |
The pub is found in Chiddingstone, Kent, TN8 7AH.
Lovely old red brick building in an unbelievably pretty village located between a church and a castle with the River Eden and meadows surrounding it. Small corner bar serves the pub, whilst the rest of the building is given over to a restaurant. The local brewery, Larkins, is just down the road and the Larkins Traditional is a regular beer. The large fire place has a Victorian iron range from Coalbrookdale in Shropshire. Closed suddenly in June 2024 after a cavity was discovered underneath the pub. Reopened summer 2025 after all remedial works completed.
We have visited this pub 11 times, seen 9 different beers and tried 8 of them.
Postcode: TN8 7AH