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Secret Drinker reviews Shepherd Neame pub The Peacock at Goudhurst, near Cranbrook

It was a hot, sunny Friday afternoon and by 3pm the car park at The Peacock in Goudhurst was already packed with work vans.

The barmaid turned into such a contortionist when I ordered a drink I was fearful she was going to do herself a mischief just reaching for a glass.

Proud to be emblazoned with the year 1387, there’s no doubting The Peacock in Goudhurst can trace its history back to time before work vans filled its car park
Proud to be emblazoned with the year 1387, there’s no doubting The Peacock in Goudhurst can trace its history back to time before work vans filled its car park

I told her any pint pot would do and I wasn’t fussy but she said they’d been open since 11.30 and ‘rammed out’ all day so she was determined to reach to the back and find me a cold one.

Mrs SD had already made a beeline for the extensive beer garden and simply made a request for something large to quench her thirst.

This left me with a dilemma as, to give her a choice, I ordered a pint of Spitfire plus Whitstable IPA, keeping my fingers firmly crossed she’d do the decent thing. Sadly it was a forlorn hope and I was left with the bitter as Mrs SD declared the IPA an excellent drop.

Which one would you choose, the Spitfire Bitter or the Whitstable Bay Pale Ale?
Which one would you choose, the Spitfire Bitter or the Whitstable Bay Pale Ale?
The side door of the pub led directly to a small patio area and, beyond that, a large grassed garden area
The side door of the pub led directly to a small patio area and, beyond that, a large grassed garden area

Perhaps in keeping with the pub name, the garden was packed with bird cages fashioned from a mass of chicken wire but the occupants had either escaped or were too shy to make an appearance.

There were two separate play areas for children but both were deserted. However, I did spot one eager young lad eying up a low-level apple tree that looked like a climber’s paradise – sadly he was disappointed as it was fenced off, presumably an H&S decision.

The garden is certainly spacious and although it’s not prim and pristine it is well maintained, a line of laurels has been planted down one side which will look good once they’ve grown up a bit.

There are two separate play areas for the kids with a set of swings at the far end of the garden
There are two separate play areas for the kids with a set of swings at the far end of the garden
We weren’t there to dine but to give you an idea of the dishes available, these were the specials on the day we were in
We weren’t there to dine but to give you an idea of the dishes available, these were the specials on the day we were in

I’d soldiered on through the Spitfire and it was time for a second round so, as it had gone down so well, I ordered another IPA for ‘er outdoors and I moved onto a pint of Singha.

It was certainly true that the two women behind the bar were both doing a sterling job despite being worked off their feet.

I was happy to wait, and having already spotted the year 1387 on the front of the pub, took a moment or two to take in my surroundings. The old-fashioned bar was dark, particularly by contrast to the bright sunshine in the garden, but it’s an ancient-looking place with low wooden beams and stacks of character.

Not yet in use, this outside area on the left hand side of the pub has only been completed recently
Not yet in use, this outside area on the left hand side of the pub has only been completed recently
Having sampled the bitter I switched across to lager and ordered a pint of Singha
Having sampled the bitter I switched across to lager and ordered a pint of Singha
It wasn’t in use when we visited but I assume this outside bar comes into its own during busy, sunny weekends
It wasn’t in use when we visited but I assume this outside bar comes into its own during busy, sunny weekends

Even through the gloom I could make out a plethora of military items, as well as mini-shrines to our hugely loved, recently departed, monarch and our most famous wartime prime minister and it wouldn’t take a genius to realise the current landlord was once a member of the armed forces.

I wouldn’t describe this one as a ‘locals’ pub’ and it seems to attract a good mix of both regulars and visitors.

However, the fellow served ahead of me was obviously recognised by the barmaid who gave him a fair grilling about the young blonde girl she’d seen him cuddling when he’d walked in.

The questioning continued even as were joined by the gent’s dark-haired wife – fortunately, for him, and perhaps the quizzing barmaid as well, I can report it was his daughter back from uni.

A large area of the bar has been dedicated to some wonderful military memorabilia
A large area of the bar has been dedicated to some wonderful military memorabilia
The military theme, so evident inside, also extends to the gate to the side garden
The military theme, so evident inside, also extends to the gate to the side garden
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has pride of place on one of the pub’s window sills
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has pride of place on one of the pub’s window sills

Returning to the sunshine, the recent IPA convert declared my Singha tasted like fizzy water to her now she’d discovered a real drink, but I was pleased with my pick.

This is clearly a very well-established, popular pub nestled in a V-shaped road, surrounded by beautiful green countryside and, judging by all the recent decoration and development outside, it’s confident about its future.

Just one final point, regular readers will be aware of my recent dalliance with a camper van and, having spotted one in the car park, I asked the landlady if the pub welcomed motorhome pub stopovers. She said she loves the scheme and would like to be involved but has unfortunately been informed Shepherd Neame pubs are not allowed to take part.

The large garden had plenty of picnic tables dotted about and quite a few folks were taking advantage of the warm afternoon sunshine
The large garden had plenty of picnic tables dotted about and quite a few folks were taking advantage of the warm afternoon sunshine
There was plenty of vegetation placed at the back of this cage and the birds took advantage of it by hiding themselves away
There was plenty of vegetation placed at the back of this cage and the birds took advantage of it by hiding themselves away
This cage contained a large number of smaller birds, but even they were keeping themselves well-hidden most of the time
This cage contained a large number of smaller birds, but even they were keeping themselves well-hidden most of the time
Supported on each side by a union flag, this small bust of Winston Churchill was placed alongside a photograph of The Queen
Supported on each side by a union flag, this small bust of Winston Churchill was placed alongside a photograph of The Queen

THE PEACOCK, GOUDHURST, NEAR CRANBROOK TN17 2PB

Decor: The first sighting of The Peacock when you arrive is perhaps the most quintessential view of a Kentish pub you can imagine. Inside the pub’s centuries of history have been preserved and wonderfully presented. *****

Drink: I’m not a huge fan of Spitfire bitter and, having sampled Mrs SD’s Whitstable Bay pale ale with its light, dry finish, I should have gone this route. The Singha lager, despite the view of the new pale ale fan, was a decent drop. ***

Price: The 4.2% Spitfire Amber Ale and the 4% Whitstable Bay pale ale were identically priced at £5.80. The 5% original Thai lager Singha was a touch more expensive at £6. ***

Staff: The barmaids were both flat out but still found a few precious moments to chat to both visitors and locals. They were proud to talk about the pub and clearly enjoyed working here. *****

Faced by the range of staple Shepherd Neame offerings I ordered a Spitfire bitter and a Whitstable Bay pale ale before offering Mrs SD a choice
Faced by the range of staple Shepherd Neame offerings I ordered a Spitfire bitter and a Whitstable Bay pale ale before offering Mrs SD a choice
Immaculately tiled from floor to ceiling, the gents looked as if they been recently redecorated
Immaculately tiled from floor to ceiling, the gents looked as if they been recently redecorated
Mrs SD did her duty and reported back that the ladies’ facilities were equally as well presented as the gents
Mrs SD did her duty and reported back that the ladies’ facilities were equally as well presented as the gents
I can’t helping thinking what a great shame it is that a pub needs to put up a sign like this – surely people shouldn’t be this stupid
I can’t helping thinking what a great shame it is that a pub needs to put up a sign like this – surely people shouldn’t be this stupid

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