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Castle Inn (Free House)

We believe this pub is CLOSED

Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
Larkins - Green Hop BestExceptional1
Long Man - Dry Hopped Session IPAExceptional1
Larkins - Best BitterExceptional1
Larkins - TraditionalExcellent9
Larkins - Platinum BlondeExcellent1
Larkins - PorterGood2
Westerham - God's WallopAcceptable1
Titsey - Gresham Hopper (was 3.7%)Acceptable1
Harvey's - Sussex Best BitterNot Tried0
Picture 1. Castle Inn, Chiddingstone, Kent

Visits Details

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.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Larkins - Traditional3.40ExcellentGood Larkins.Moreish and toffeeish.
Titsey - Gresham Hopper (was 3.7%)3.40AcceptableThin,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.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Larkins - Traditional3.40GoodNice, fruity flavour - hint of peach?
Westerham - God's Wallop4.00AcceptableA winter ale with a slightly tart taste.
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Not Tried
Larkins - Porter5.20Not 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.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Larkins - Porter5.20ExcellentIn cracking form, just off a five.The right level of austerity, tempered by raspberries.Very drinkable:a classic.
Larkins - Traditional3.40Not 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.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Long Man - Dry Hopped Session IPA3.80ExceptionalStraw coloured , assertively hopped.Stone fruit,leaf tea.Cracking beer.
Larkins - Traditional3.40ExcellentAh, 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.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Larkins - Traditional3.40ExcellentEarthily toffeeish.
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Not Tried
Larkins - Porter5.20Not Tried
29 Nov 2014 (Wittenden)
Busy after a Christmas Fair at the Castle. We came to meet the family and enjoyed lunch
BeerABVScoreNotes
Larkins - Traditional3.40ExceptionalA toffeeish autumnal classic.
Larkins - Porter5.20AcceptableHints of greatness, but sour notes predominating.Taken off during the session.
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Not 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!
BeerABVScoreNotes
Larkins - Green Hop Best4.00ExceptionalJust a stunning beer.
Larkins - Traditional3.40Excellent
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Not 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.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Larkins - Best Bitter4.40ExceptionalI'd not tried this before:dark amber,mellow with robust hoppiness.Hedge fruit.Autumnal.A classic.
Larkins - Traditional3.40ExcellentDelightful, though a bit more flinty than flowery.Toffee still there.
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Not Tried
31 May 2014 (Edbeck)
Busy with walking and wedding parties
BeerABVScoreNotes
Larkins - Traditional3.40Excellent
Larkins - Platinum Blonde3.60Excellent
10 Feb 2007 (Andrew)
Not originally on our tour itinery but, hey, it's a pub serving Larkin's in Chiddingstone! The saloon bar has a great old interior that is totally separated from the restaurant the other side.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Larkins - Traditional3.40ExcellentSmelt of raspberry and stawberry. Soft mouth feel with good red berry flavours and some milky hops
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Not Tried
Larkins - Porter5.20Not Tried

About the Castle Inn

The pub sign. Castle Inn, Chiddingstone, Kent

Summary of Beer Scores

 Total
Exceptional4
Excellent9
Good1
Acceptable3
Poor-

Website.

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.

We have visited this pub 10 times, seen 9 different beers and tried 8 of them.

Map location

Postcode: TN8 7AH