19th February 2020
A night in the UK’s dullest town Premier Inn.
I don’t know what Mrs RM did wrong in a previous life to be born in Tunbridge Wells, marry me, have a HQ in Maidenhead and get sent to Sevenoaks to work. But she soldiers on.
A mile into town and a lone GBG entry now the Spoons no longer makes the cut.
The Anchor is plain, unfussy and designed for boozing, though I’m fairly sure Pub Curmudgeon raved about the pub lunches (pies, ploughmans, salmon) in here a while ago.
Six in the pub at six, three pumps.
Gadds picks itself. Technically, it’s in the same county as the Anchor.
“Pint, Mrs RM? “ She always sits down and leaves life’s big decisions to me.
“Of course”.
She wasn’t impressed with the Wantsum, not badly kept but with an oversweet taste. Should have asked for a sample.
The Gadds was better, so she nicked that off me. I had to have a half of the Franklin to get the sweetness of the Wantsum out of my mouth. NBSS 3 for the lot, GBG standard I guess.
Good boozer, friendly service, no swearing, varying beers on this occasion.
Mrs RM then had a £5.50 bottle of imported Thai IPA (“tastes like BrewDog” ) in the Giggling Squid, and was almost giggling herself as we admired the tiny bit of Sevenoaks central that isn’t fast cars rushing past.
A newish micropub/gin bar (mainly gin bar) had already closed shop, and we decided against the Black Boy, which will no doubt now make the next GBG.
No dedicated car parking at Sevenoaks Premier.
Anchor definitely a proper pub and a perennial GBG entry. Good pub grub too, as Mudgie found out. 👍
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The station car park over the road isn’t bad value though.
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Is anybody starting a sweepstake on which county the Aygo will commit suicide in?
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Ha ha. Well it’s likely to drown if it attempts to finish the half dozen in Hereford and Worcestershire so I’m guessing Carluke.
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Yes, nothing special, but they dished up a very decent functional Ploughman’s for the bargain price of a fiver. And that’s a rarity nowadays. One of the properest of Proper Pubs.
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Oh that’s a bargain. I remember you commenting on it.
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I think it was probably my “Ploughman’s of the Year” 😀
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Best Landlord (man, not pint) ever in the Anchor!
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He was good. Old school 👍
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Last time I was in Sevenoaks was 1987 – the day after it had been turned into Oneoaks.
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My sister drove to her Council portacabin office that morning and found it had been blown away.
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Best excuse for not going to work… ever!
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We only ever visit Sevenoaks for Knowle (sorry NT ,pashminas etc etc )Not somewhere we ever drink in !
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I do like the idea of you referring to your wife as “Mrs RM” even when speaking to her directly. Perhaps your wedding ceremony concluded with “I now pronounce you RM and Mrs RM.” 😉
Do any of the other brewers ever challenge Shepherd Neame on that “Britain’s Oldest Brewer” claim? Seems like these things always spark debate, with the various parties bringing different definitions to the argument.
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I can assure you I am referred to as Mr Working Christine 😉
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And I think I read that about Shepherd Neame in the Roger Protz book once so it must be true.
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Yes, the Three Tuns at Bishops Castle in Shropshire was allegedly established in 1642 on its current site making it the oldest licensed brewery site in Britain – but I think Shepherd Neame claim it was officially opened at 4.42pm one day during Victoria’s reign.
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Very good Paul.
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