It was a hot, sunny Friday afternoon and by 3pm the car park at The Peacock in Goudhurst was already packed with work vans.
The barmaid turned into such a contortionist when I ordered a drink I was fearful she was going to do herself a mischief just reaching for a glass.
I told her any pint pot would do and I wasn’t fussy but she said they’d been open since 11.30 and ‘rammed out’ all day so she was determined to reach to the back and find me a cold one.
Mrs SD had already made a beeline for the extensive beer garden and simply made a request for something large to quench her thirst.
This left me with a dilemma as, to give her a choice, I ordered a pint of Spitfire plus Whitstable IPA, keeping my fingers firmly crossed she’d do the decent thing. Sadly it was a forlorn hope and I was left with the bitter as Mrs SD declared the IPA an excellent drop.
Perhaps in keeping with the pub name, the garden was packed with bird cages fashioned from a mass of chicken wire but the occupants had either escaped or were too shy to make an appearance.
There were two separate play areas for children but both were deserted. However, I did spot one eager young lad eying up a low-level apple tree that looked like a climber’s paradise – sadly he was disappointed as it was fenced off, presumably an H&S decision.
The garden is certainly spacious and although it’s not prim and pristine it is well maintained, a line of laurels has been planted down one side which will look good once they’ve grown up a bit.
I’d soldiered on through the Spitfire and it was time for a second round so, as it had gone down so well, I ordered another IPA for ‘er outdoors and I moved onto a pint of Singha.
It was certainly true that the two women behind the bar were both doing a sterling job despite being worked off their feet.
I was happy to wait, and having already spotted the year 1387 on the front of the pub, took a moment or two to take in my surroundings. The old-fashioned bar was dark, particularly by contrast to the bright sunshine in the garden, but it’s an ancient-looking place with low wooden beams and stacks of character.
Even through the gloom I could make out a plethora of military items, as well as mini-shrines to our hugely loved, recently departed, monarch and our most famous wartime prime minister and it wouldn’t take a genius to realise the current landlord was once a member of the armed forces.
I wouldn’t describe this one as a ‘locals’ pub’ and it seems to attract a good mix of both regulars and visitors.
However, the fellow served ahead of me was obviously recognised by the barmaid who gave him a fair grilling about the young blonde girl she’d seen him cuddling when he’d walked in.
The questioning continued even as were joined by the gent’s dark-haired wife – fortunately, for him, and perhaps the quizzing barmaid as well, I can report it was his daughter back from uni.
Returning to the sunshine, the recent IPA convert declared my Singha tasted like fizzy water to her now she’d discovered a real drink, but I was pleased with my pick.
This is clearly a very well-established, popular pub nestled in a V-shaped road, surrounded by beautiful green countryside and, judging by all the recent decoration and development outside, it’s confident about its future.
Just one final point, regular readers will be aware of my recent dalliance with a camper van and, having spotted one in the car park, I asked the landlady if the pub welcomed motorhome pub stopovers. She said she loves the scheme and would like to be involved but has unfortunately been informed Shepherd Neame pubs are not allowed to take part.
THE PEACOCK, GOUDHURST, NEAR CRANBROOK TN17 2PB
Decor: The first sighting of The Peacock when you arrive is perhaps the most quintessential view of a Kentish pub you can imagine. Inside the pub’s centuries of history have been preserved and wonderfully presented. *****
Drink: I’m not a huge fan of Spitfire bitter and, having sampled Mrs SD’s Whitstable Bay pale ale with its light, dry finish, I should have gone this route. The Singha lager, despite the view of the new pale ale fan, was a decent drop. ***
Price: The 4.2% Spitfire Amber Ale and the 4% Whitstable Bay pale ale were identically priced at £5.80. The 5% original Thai lager Singha was a touch more expensive at £6. ***
Staff: The barmaids were both flat out but still found a few precious moments to chat to both visitors and locals. They were proud to talk about the pub and clearly enjoyed working here. *****
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