The Harrow Inn - Pubs In Ightham Common - Country Pubs In Kent

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The Harrow Inn - Pubs In Ightham Common - Country Pubs In Kent

John Elton and Claire Butler have established The Harrow Inn and Restaurant over nine years in the small village of Ightham Common. John Elton has no doubt had to endure endless witticisms over his name but it hasn't dampened his enthusiasm towards his customers. His team has created a well-cooked, beautifully presented and unfussy menu offered in a homely setting. The pub is attractively decorated, with a traditional bar exhibiting a number of local historical prints and a copper topped bar.

The pub retains some of the features of its previous guise, as a bakery, particularly the fireplace, which straddles both bars, and is the remains of the bakery's main oven. Another larger bar is adjacent, furnished with stripped tables, a chequered black-and-white floor and soft yellow walls. A warm and cosy setting is created throughout with flowers and candles on the tables. At the rear of the pub there is a small patio area enclosed by a pergola, used for eating out during the warmer months. The car park is fairly small, although adequate on-street parking is available.

Bar meals are served every day from 12 to 2pm and 6.00-9.00pm. The menu is listed on a large blackboard by the door and a smaller blackboard opposite lists the daily specials, which particularly make best use of local fresh fish. Many of the dishes on the bar meal menu are traditional English fare including a range of starters and main courses such as Hot Kent Smoky, a smoked haddock pie, at £11.95 or Crispy Leg of Duck with Bubble and Squeak, and Marmalade Gravy at £10.95.

As well as the bar meals there is an a la carte restaurant located in an attractive conservatory at the rear of the building. The offerings on this menu are more exotic including dishes such as a starter of Crab and Ginger Spring Roll with Toasted Sesame Oil and Light Soya Sauce at £6.00 or a main course of Pan-fried Salmon Fillet with Lobster Sauce and fresh Spinach at £11.00. On Sunday lunchtimes a set menu at £22.50 is a popular feature. This includes three courses with starters, traditional roasts or lighter dishes and a selection of sweets, with coffee and mints included in the price.

Abbot Ale and IPA are the main bitters kept on tap, whilst a more than adequate wine list offers house red and white wines at £11.00. A good selection of more expensive wines from France, Germany, Chile, Australia, and South Africa are also featured on the wine list, ranging from £12.50 to £37.00.

An 'A' board on the A25 is used as a landmark to help customers locate The Harrow Inn, but this is notoriously easy to miss. So, to clarify, by following the A25 east from the village of Seal you arrive at a crossroads signposted right to Ightham Common and Ivy Hatch. Following Common Road up a gradual hill for about 200 metres you come to The Harrow Inn on the left-hand side.

It is advisable to book a table for the a la carte section at the weekend whilst bar meals are always served on a first-come first-served basis. For local visitor attractions Ightham Mote, a 14th century moated manor house, surrounded by superb gardens and walks is hard to beat.

The Harrow Inn

Common Road
Ightham Common
Kent
TN15 9EB
01732 88591

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