The Spotted Dog

As a previous reviewer said, a «picture perfect English pub». Quirky rambling property that makes you feel as in someone’s home, small nooks of rooms and a wall-​sized fireplace flanked by chesterfield sofas is as good as it gets for a Saturday afternoon in my opinion. Ales were good and (sometimes surprisingly for a pub), so were the cocktails for those that chose a bloody mary instead. The food was good although I found the appetizers to be better than mains — I had stuffed figs and a wonderful rosemary baked camembert, but my steak came with a side of what appeared to be generic oven chips. In any case, a great pub in gorgeous Kent countryside and well worth the quick drive from London.

Delightful!
Lovely setting with ample seating inside, outside front and back.
Delicious food — I have the goats cheese parcel which was a real treat.
Would definitely return.

I have discovered my own person bible: «The Time Out Country Walks». In this book you can find 52 elaborate walks (pardon me — rambles) through the English country side… all of which are within more or less 1 hour train-​ride from London.
Yesterday, I did my first walk from Leigh to Tunbridge Wells and the suggested lunch stop was an excellent and rather fitting choice — The Spotted Dog! In fact, my canine rambling companion — a species who perfectly fits the characteristics of this pub — received an especially warm welcome by the proprietress herself.
The Spotted Dog is the picture-​perfect English pub… dark and cozy on the inside (with several working fire-​places for the cold and wet winters) and bright and airy on the outside (featuring two wonderful terraces, one of which offers marvellous views of the Kentish country side). The staff at this family-​run place is wonderful and very friendly — they not only helped me choose an excellent thirst quencher (an ale called Directors), but they also refreshed the water bowl for Momo with fresh spring water (alright, it was tap water…).
I ordered the burger for lunch, which came with fries — pardon me — chips. The chips, to be honest, were not my favourite as they were a little too crispy, but the burger was excellent. All in all, the combination of this burger, the beer and the wonderful views from the terrace made my stay at the Spotted Dog a very memorable one… and equipped me well for the remaining 7 miles that were still ahead of me!