The Star And Eagle - Pubs In Goudhurst - Country Pubs In Kent

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The Star And Eagle - Pubs In Goudhurst - Country Pubs In Kent

Dating from the 14th century the site of the current Star and Eagle has stood witness to extremes of history. Extremes which include its reputed humble beginnings as an ancient monastery, to its use in the 18th century as the headquarters of the 'Hawkhurst Gang', exiled from their own village after one of their numerous smuggling ventures was exposed. The pub is located on the High Weald at the top end of the picturesque village of Goudhurst, with its numerous weather-boarded shop fronts and village pond.

The two bars and separate a la carte restaurant all have heavy beamed ceilings and dark oak furniture. As you would expect the décor is traditional with copper kettles and pans, horse brasses and historic local prints. Thoughtfully daily newspapers are strung up on one of the larger upright beams for all to read. One of the former pub signs hangs over the fireplace at the bar from a previous guise, when the pub was then known as The Star and Crown. From the rear of the bar and the patio there are long-distance views across the Kent Weald, which provide interest whatever the season. For those with a 'head for heights' the tower of the adjacent St Mary's Church is often open to visitors who must climb the stone stairs to the top, but are then rewarded with a panorama, which includes more than 50 churches throughout Kent and East Sussex.

Meals are served in the bar area or on the patio, although diners might prefer the luxury of the a la carte restaurant, decked out with linen and candles. The Spanish chef/proprietor Enrique Martinez heads up the kitchen team. Between them they produce a menu of regularly changing English and European dishes, including the simplicity of Home Cooked Ham, Free-range Egg and Chips, with thick slices of hand-carved ham, which will prompt older generations to reminisce.

Spanish influences on the menu include a Pot Roast Shoulder of Lamb Spanish-style, which is marinated in olive oil and fresh herbs and subsequently cooked very slowly with garlic, peppers and wine to melting succulence.

Other traditional items include Game Pie, Home-made Fish Pie (with cod, smoked haddock and salmon) and Steaks. With several lighter meals and a few main dishes also available in smaller portions at half price, smaller appetites are also well catered for. Prices for starters average at about £4.50, whilst main courses range from £8.50 to £14.00. Sweets include steamed sponge, fresh fruit cheesecakes and a range of delicious sounding ice-creams. The menu states that the bread is baked freshly every day on the premises, which is always a good sign of a conscientious kitchen team.

The wine list is adequate without being over facing, with examples of reds and whites from most major wine-producing countries. They start from about a tenner a bottle upwards and are also all sensibly served in 175 or 250 mls glasses.

The service staff are keen to see customers enjoying their meals, always offering appropriate condiments and dressings when serving meals, a trait which many other pubs annoyingly ignore. A few parking spaces are available outside the front of the pub on the very busy High Street but customers can also use the larger car park signposted to the rear.

You'll find the Star and Eagle at:

The Star and Eagle
High St
Goudhurst
Kent, TN17 1AL
01580 211512

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