November 2025. Tonbridge.
A day attending to the in-laws of Royal Tunbridge Wells, where it transpires all Michael wants is a front row seat at the Assembly Hall,
listening to a sombre piece about Anne Frank performed by his own choral society.
It’s less fun than Rosie, I’ll say that.
While the in-laws stay at the theatre to chat, I nip next door to the actual Opera House,
but the Spoons is struggling to cope with even limited trade (and frankly the cans in the Assembly Hall bar were more interesting anyway).
I’m reluctant to drive back down the tiny lanes to Rye in the dark that night, so we pitch our campervan overnight next to Tonbridge Castle, and I get a chance to tick the town’s terrific two (hey ! alliteration !) new Guide entries.
I thought the Ivy House might be one of those newbies after local legend Paul’s NBSS 4.5 score,
but oddly it’s a couple of real “boozers” (ugh) I’d never been in, starting at the top end of the High Street where it all gets a bit eerie.
Sadly, the George & Dragon hides under scaffolding,
so here’s one David drew earlier for the pub’s Facebook.
It’s 7pm on a November Sunday; most town pubs will have closed after the roast dinners or be winding down.
The George & Dragon is heaving.
Oh, it’s a 60th; they’re playing Wilson Phillips. Can you even imagine being that old ? Will I even be allowed in ?
Yes. Plenty of space by the fireplace, which makes the pub look far, far, smarter than it is.
A pint of Old (3+) for me and a pint of Sussex (cooler, 3.5) for Mrs RM. It’s an unfussy Kent boozer, and that’s often a great thing.
A group of young folk are playing Connect 4.
“If it’s any consolation there’s people far more pissed than you who can’t say Government” I say to Mrs RM. Mrs RM takes it as a personal challenge.
retiredmartin 
Sorry I was unable to join you on Sunday evening, Martin, but after several hours raking up what seemed like a whole autumn’s worth of leaves, plus a late tea/dinner, I wasn’t really up to walking down to the G&D – even though, as your blog has revealed, they had Harvey’s Old on tap!
An unusual beer for the pub, so I might have to check it out, on Friday.
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I don’t think either the George & Dragon or the Chequers are destination pubs, but they don’t pretend to be. They were both busy and cheery, while the Rose & Crown hotel was deserted.
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Sadly, the Rose & Crown seems to have entered a terminal decline. I’ve walked passed the place, on numerous occasions, and there never seems to be anyone in there. Even our Japanese directors, who used the rave about the hotel’s “olde worlde” charm, have given up on the R&C, in favour of the Tunbridge Wells, Premier Inn.
Sad times for an establishment that was once regarded as Tonbridge’s principle hotel.
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Looks almost as sad as the Gate House !
There are some terribly faded Best Western hotels.
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Holdens Old Ale not about till nearly Christmas I’m told.
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That pint of Harvey’s Old looks great. Cool, crisp and chewy.
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“A day attending to the in-laws of Royal Tunbridge Wells, where it transpires all Michael wants is a front row seat at the Assembly Hall,”
Sigh. In-laws are the outlaws of any marriage. 😉
“It’s less fun than Rosie, I’ll say that.”
No kidding!
“and I get a chance to tick the town’s terrific two (hey ! alliteration !) new Guide entries.”
An absolute all-time achievement at alliteration!
“starting at the top end of the High Street where it all gets a bit eerie.”
You’re definitely not photographing them at their best.
“The George & Dragon is heaving.”
Too bad they couldn’t ‘heave’ that bloody scaffolding off.
“Can you even imagine being that old ? Will I even be allowed in ?”
Yes, and yes. (fondly LOOKS BACK at 60)
“Yes. Plenty of space by the fireplace, which makes the pub look far, far, smarter than it is.”
I see they have their namesake above the fireplace.
“A pint of Old (3+) for me”
I just watched a YouTube video earlier today ranking 20 famous British beers and Harvey’s best came 2nd (don’t tell Paul!).
““If it’s any consolation there’s people far more pissed than you who can’t say Government” I say to Mrs RM. Mrs RM takes it as a personal challenge.”
Heh. My darling wife has the same problem (non-pissed) trying to say ‘evening’ (she changes the first ‘n’ to an ‘l’ for some reason).
Cheers
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Eveling ?
Great alliteration there Russ.
Have you seen Duncan has blogged again ?
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Yes, eveling.
Thx on that alliteration.
And thx on Duncan, will scoot off there, after your replies of course. 😉
Cheers
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