The High Rocks Inn - Pubs In Tunbridge Wells - Country Pubs In Kent

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The High Rocks Inn - Pubs In Tunbridge Wells - Country Pubs In Kent

Travelling south on the A26 from Tunbridge Wells for about one mile you come to a staggered crossroads, signposted right to Groombridge and High Rocks. Keep following the signs for High Rocks and you unexpectedly draw up to The High Rocks Inn in about five minutes. With forest on one side and sheer sandstone on the other, you feel as if you have been transported to a location halfway up a mountain pass in Switzerland.

The large, rambling pub/restaurant, with gardens to match, is almost entirely clad in ivy, whilst the angled gables complete the continental feel. Built on a hill you walk downstairs to the main pub bar, with arches and rough-hewn stone walls, with an old beer keg embedded in them on one side. It has the feel of a rustic trattoria, so it's no surprise to hear two Italian brothers run the establishment.

Double French doors lead out on to the stepped terrace with numerous tables and chairs, which are surrounded by attractive shrubs, borders, trees and Victorian-style street lamps. A lower-level lawn leads down to the newly completed High Rocks train station, which forms part of the Spa Valley Railway, running from Tunbridge Wells to Groombridge.

Following the dedicated work of a number of enthusiasts the small gauge steam railway has been renovated, providing a leisure service throughout the summer.

The lower-level bar serves a pub menu of salads, snacks and Italian dishes such as Crespolini, consisting of Savoury Pancakes filled with Ricotta and Spinach served in a Tomato and Cheese Sauce at £6.50. A number of pasta dishes are available from the daily changing blackboards, whilst for larger appetites a number of grilled fish and steaks, served with fresh vegetables and potatoes are competitively priced. Desserts from £4.00 represent several European countries including a homemade Tiramisu (boasting rum and brandy), Summer Pudding and Crème Brulee.

Keeping to their Italian traditions there are no hand pumped beers on offer, however a good range of lagers, bitters and stouts are on tap, along with a comprehensive wine list, which as you would expect details a good proportion of Italian wines.

Those diners looking for a more elaborate meal also looking out over the garden may prefer the comfort of Giuseppe's Restaurant on the floor above. This restaurant is a la carte but also offers a two-course and three-course set menu at £13.50 and £17.50 respectively, which considering some of the main-course prices is a bargain. The menu offers traditional, upmarket dishes such as Lobster Thermidor and Fillet Monaco - a new one to me - which consists of Fillet Steak wrapped in Bacon and served on a Crouton in a Sherry and Cream Sauce, served with Asparagus. The sweets are similar to those available in the pub bar at a marginally higher price.

Access to the High Rocks themselves, located opposite the inn, is via an antiquated turnstile and a number of stone steps. Water frozen during the Ice Age filled the gaps between the sandstone blocks until the warming climate melted the ice to leave the individual sandstone outcrops. Over the centuries numerous visitors including stone-age man, James II, George, Prince of Wales and numerous Victorians have adopted them, giving rise to all manner of legends.

An inscription cut into the Wishing Well Rock advises taking your wishing seriously:

"Pause 'ere you wish
From idle wish refrain
For what you wished
Not wish you wished
You gain."

The High Rocks Inn

High Rocks Lane
Tunbridge Wells
Kent, TN3 9JJ
01892 515532

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