Wednesday 13 May 2015

Weekend country ramble with the doggy

I love a good country walk, which is always better with family, friends and also little four legged, hairy pals! Living close to the Kent / East Sussex countryside we as often as possible grab the pooch and some walking boots and head out for a stroll but always end in some good pub grub.

My three favorite countryside spots, which allow dogs are:

The Vineyard

This pub is cute and quaint with lovely interior decor but also a sprawling, sunny pub garden. Water bowls are available for the dogs and large benches are provided for relaxing. The walks around here are gorgeous and the site is right next to a picturesque vineyard, hence the name! The food here is standard pub grub but cooked very well. I am partial to a Ploughmans and can recommend their offering. The fish & chips and the burger are also very good here. The pub is in the heart of the countryside with beautiful views, walks and drives all around. There is parking available for free and toilets etc are all very clean. There is nothing better than good food, sunshine and some clean, crisp country air to rejuvenate yourself after a long week in the city.

King Henry VIII

This pub has a really lovely garden where dogs are allowed and plenty of people bring them. It's also a stones throw away from Hever Castle if you fancy a wander around the beautiful grounds before your lunch or a cultural visit to the castle itself. The food here is tasty and they have an ever changing specials board. Get here before the lunch rush to ensure a seat outside in the sunshine. We went for a whole baked Camembert, which was delicious before I tucked into a Cajun chicken burger and the boy grabbed a cheeseburger. We were very full by the end, which was unfortunate as I did fancy a cheeky dessert but just couldn't manage. There is free car parking available opposite the pub and again the walks and drives around this area are stunning.

The Chaser Inn

The Chaser is probably my ultimate fav. It has a small garden overlooking the fields and a little village church, which accepts dogs and gets plenty of sunshine. It also has a lovely conservatory to enjoy during the summer months. Equally though this pub is great in the winter time as is homely and cosy and has some lovely decor inside. The food and the service here are very good. Make sure you book well in advance for a weekend visit unless you plan to chance your luck on one of the few outside tables. You will be very lucky to be accommodated here during a spontaneous walk so you will need to be a little more planned. The ham, egg and chips here are good, as is the Chaser Burger. The sandwiches are also excellent with plenty of different fillings and the roasts are delicious. The dessert menu is delightful and I can never decide between the chocolate brownie, sticky toffee pudding or Eton Mess! Parking is more limited here but there are little side roads where you can usually find a free spot.

For our next trip to the countryside we plan to try The Bottle House Inn near the beautiful Penshurst Place, which we actually considered as our wedding venue. You cannot beat a trip to the countryside so grab some friends or family members, take a gorgeous drive, a stunning hike and end in some tasty treats.

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