Perfectly positioned on a corner, with a fantastic old green door to match, I found myself wondering if The Anchor might just be the only truly traditional pub left in the entire town of Sevenoaks.

The pub sits on London Road with Bank Street, which looks more like an alleyway, running along one side and from both outside, and inside, doesn’t look as if it’s changed much in many years.

The bar looked unmanned but Phil, sporting an incredibly bright pink shirt, appeared like magic out of nowhere and immediately bid me a warm welcome. You can tell at once he’s exactly the sort of bloke you need in a place like this to keep everything ticking over properly.

He asked what I’d like to drink and when I said bitter, without me even having to ask he’d poured out and presented me with samples of all three he had available.

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In my humble opinion the 4.8%, little bit darker, Imperial Ale from Thanet's Wantsum Brewery, with a slightly burnt taste, was marginally the best of the three on offer. However, it was run close by a very well-kept pint of Harvey’s Sussex Best and, in bronze medal position, Dorset Amber Ale from the Piddle Brewery.

There are several notices making it clear this is strictly an Over 21s pub and, whilst I’m aware this is a ploy regularly used to maintain the legal drinking age, sitting there at 4.30pm on a Monday I’d have put the average age closer to 61 than I would to the key to the door age.

There were a dozen or so folks all enjoying an older world experience with most seated inside, around the walls of the pub rather than at the bar, but there were also a few going alfresco in the alleyway.

However, the posters alone tell you this is a pub which loves its live music and I’m sure there must be some evenings when more eclectic bands attract a much younger group of followers.

Either way, you can be sure this isn’t a pub where you’re going to be troubled by packs of kids.

As soon as my pint was pulled the soundtrack shifted to the Black Eyed Peas’ I’ve Got a Feeling and several regulars, who clearly had the feeling already, joined in with gusto.

Totally, totally traditional, and frankly a refreshing change from so much of the Sevenoaks’ nonsense, this seems an oasis that time has passed by.

That much under-rated pastime of chatting to the barman revealed Phil is a relative newcomer to his position and has only served 35 years, whereas his mate Barry, who owns the place, has been here 43 years.

There’s so much to enjoy, apart from the well-kept ale – beer towels on the bar, hand written receipts and a proper pub carpet over the wooden floor.

The radio station playing in the background was set at a sensible level and although the screen was on, showing the state of play in the golf, it was set to silent.

There was also plenty of promotional material for rugby dotted about so I’m sure they must show international matches when they’re being played.

The locals indulged in a bit of chat about the golf, horse racing and footie but most of their time was spent winding each other up and arguing boisterously in exactly the way you should in a pub.

I was told there used to be a pool table for many years, but it was removed during Covid and there’s now no space for it to return, although the pub does still have a regular darts team, which plays matches on a Tuesday evening.

There’s no jukebox but there is an old fashioned fruit machine for anyone who wishes to part with their cash.

But, if you really want to experience stepping back in time then take a quick trip to the gents. The facilities are so old fashioned, with their white porcelain and stainless steel pipes, it almost feels as if you’ve taken a trip to an institution from yesteryear.

There was a well-worded note attached to the hand drier apologising for the ‘inconvenience in the convenience’ and an old vending machine on the wall offering Golden Root or ‘herbal Viagra’ for £4 – I decided to save my money on this occasion.

Back in the bar the locals had moved on to arguing about the current state of Manchester United’s defence and a short battle ensued with peanuts being thrown at each other across the pub.

I bid Phil a fond farewell and headed back into the daylight, feeling much better for finding a proper pub in Sevenoaks.

The Anchor, 32 London Road, Sevenoaks TN13 1AS

Decor: The door is fantastic and the second you’re through it and see the bar, the carpet and the rest of the furnishings you know you’ve discovered a proper, no-nonsense, wonderful pub. *****

Drink: A choice of three great beers and I got to taste them all. The Harvey’s was as good as I’ve sampled anywhere but I opted for a 4.8% Imperial Ale from Wantsum Brewery. *****

Price: The Imperial Ale and a packet of salt and vinegar cost me £5.20, so presuming the crisps were what now seems a standard price of £1, the beer cost £4.20. A Kronenbourg is £4.70, which for Sevenoaks, is probably fairly cheap. ***

Staff: Phil’s a newcomer with just 35 years behind the pumps, while owner Barry has clocked up 43. What a joy to meet such an experienced barman who still exhibits such zest for the job. A pleasure to meet and chat to. *****

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