Review on Castle Inn
Situated in the tranquil National Trust village of Chiddingstone, the Castle Inn no doubt looks familiar, that's because it has featured in countless films and TV dramas including A Room with a View and Wind in the Willows. This venerable hostelry round the corner from Chiddingstone Castle can trace its lineage back to 1420 - and it's still going strong. The interior has its full quota of antique furniture, timbers, nooks and crannies, and there's a delightful vine-covered courtyard for outdoor drinks and meals.
It may seem quintessentially English, yet this is one of the few pubs where prices are in euros as well as pounds. Whatever your chosen currency, there's always plenty on offer. Ploughman's and other classic pub grub features on the bar menu - but there's not a chip in sight. In the evening you can pick something from the informal Fireside Menu (smoked chicken Caesar salad, fishcakes, crème brûlée) or aim high in the restaurant. Here the repertoire runs along the lines of blue fin tuna tartare with pickled cucumber, roast rump of lamb on buttered white cabbage with tomato and thyme sauce, and summer pudding with Mascarpone.
'Locally brewed ale' is no idle boast at the Castle: the real stuff is produced by Bob Dockerty at Larkins Farm just down the road from the pub and drinkers can sample beers such as Chiddingstone in the bar. Wine buffs also have plenty to enjoy, with a fascinating 150-bin list that tours the globe in search of interesting tipples (check out the bottles from Luxembourg, for example).
Castle Inn is also featured in: AA Guide
Rate this RestaurantCuisine
Modern European / Gastro pub
Restaurant Opening Times
Lunch: 12.00 - 3.00pm (12.00 - 4.00pm Sat & 12.00 - 5.00pm Sun)
Dinner: 6.00 - 9.00pm Mon-Fri (6.00 - 8.30pm Sat)
Accepted credit cards
Visa, Master Card, American Express