Ye Olde Whyte Lyon is a real haven, offering everything you could want from a typical Kentish hostelry. Built in 1626, and with plenty of oak beams, a roaring log fire, a fair-sized walled garden and a warm welcome, from both the staff (who were named Shepherd Neame’s Managers of the Year in 2010) and the regulars.

A good range of Shepherd Neame ales is always on sale, and great pride is taken in the good home-cooked food. For sports lovers, this is an ideal spot – there are no less than five screens showing Sky Sports, so all events can be covered; and surely not many other places offer an outside screen, so smokers won’t miss that vital goal when popping out to the garden!

All in all a child-free (14 years old and over only) place to relax and unwind.