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Secret Drinker reviews the Queens Head pub at Kingsnorth, Ashford

It was bright sunshine at the back of the pub and a small collection of good looking chickens were scratching about and clucking contentedly. A much larger group of teachers delighted to be on their summer holidays were vying for the best tables and cackling considerably louder.

There is quite a large, well-maintained, outside space at the Queens Head in Kingsnorth, near Ashford, and I can understand why it would be popular with both locals and visitors.

From the roadside The Queens Head in Kingsnorth, freshly hosed down and washed, looks a traditional village boozer, but once inside it’s something of a Tardis
From the roadside The Queens Head in Kingsnorth, freshly hosed down and washed, looks a traditional village boozer, but once inside it’s something of a Tardis

Inside there is a large room on the right hand side of the pub devoted almost entirely to pool or darts and two lucky lads enjoying a game of arrows had the entire space to themselves.

We headed beyond this and into the main bar at the front of the pub. There was a Sussex Best on offer, but always keen to try something a little different, I opted for a pint of Razor Back, a 3.8% bitter from the Ringwood Brewery.

Eggs from the chickens were also on sale at the bar at £1 for six or £1.50 for a dozen but they were quite miniscule, mini eggs if you will.

Beautifully laid out, the garden with its artificial turf, gazebos and established, well-tended flower beds looks a picture
Beautifully laid out, the garden with its artificial turf, gazebos and established, well-tended flower beds looks a picture

There are fairy lights festooned everywhere you look, probably in an effort to offset the black patterned wallpaper.

The Razor Back describes itself as an exceptionally refreshing craft ale, I’m slightly suspicious of the oft-used craft tag and would describe it as an average beer with a toffee smell and a disappointing aftertaste.

There’s a chaotic and slightly haphazard feel to everything behind the bar but it just adds further to the charm of this place – I’d describe the barmaid as hectically efficient.

The Razor Back confidently describes itself as an exceptionally refreshing craft ale but personally I don’t think it’s anywhere near as cutting edge as it claims
The Razor Back confidently describes itself as an exceptionally refreshing craft ale but personally I don’t think it’s anywhere near as cutting edge as it claims
As traditional as it comes, the beer mats, courtesy of the Timothy Taylor Brewery, add a light-hearted note
As traditional as it comes, the beer mats, courtesy of the Timothy Taylor Brewery, add a light-hearted note

A wild-looking fellow with flowing white hair and a beard to match breezed into the bar and then disappeared out front to hose everything down (I hasten to add, this was pre-hosepipe ban).

He shouted ‘hello gorgeous’ to the busy barmaid, dropped her off a newspaper for later and then went off to collect glasses. Apparently this ‘does his own thing’ Aussie is happy to help out with a whole variety of tasks in exchange for the odd beer.

A good deal of tradition has been retained here, old fashioned towels on the bar, beer mats on tables and Maggie May by Rod Stewart pumping out through the speakers.

The Aussie hadn’t arrived to carry out his glass collecting duties, so Mrs SD’s second glass of wine was served in a Coke glass!
The Aussie hadn’t arrived to carry out his glass collecting duties, so Mrs SD’s second glass of wine was served in a Coke glass!

Mind you, when the song changed to Joan Jet’s I Love Rock and Roll we were given a real treat as the barmaid launched into her own version of I Love Sausage Rolls at the top of her voice.

Various teachers trooped in at intervals to order drinks before scuttling back outside with the chickens and Mrs SD and I began a new game.

Isn’t it interesting how you can tell immediately the year groups they teach just by the way they dress and the way they speak – the difference between reception staff and those who tackle Year 6 is remarkable and very easy to spot.

With walls painted dark red and black, as well as plenty of traditional dark brown furniture, they clearly think bucketfuls of fairy lights are required
With walls painted dark red and black, as well as plenty of traditional dark brown furniture, they clearly think bucketfuls of fairy lights are required
I’ve never considered English Bull Terriers to be very attractive hounds, but this cheeky welcome seems polite
I’ve never considered English Bull Terriers to be very attractive hounds, but this cheeky welcome seems polite

There’s plenty of CCTV around the bar, usually a sign it can get a little lively, although the pub was very relaxed when we were in and folks are left to their own devices – vaping at the bar, for example, is encouraged.

The gents is found beyond the black wallpapered wall and features back-to-back urinals, although the basin is even smaller than my en-suite at home.

The toilets had obviously been cleaned recently and were fresh smelling. Mrs SD delivered a similarly upbeat review of the ladies’ facilities.

The ladies loos, with added sparkle, were also given a big thumbs up from Mrs SD who said they were also clean and fresh
The ladies loos, with added sparkle, were also given a big thumbs up from Mrs SD who said they were also clean and fresh

Back in our seats at the high table at the front of the pub we both began to feel we were being watched. Nearing the end of our visit the feeling grew to the point we could sense the eyes burning into us. I checked my flies and Mrs SD made sure nothing had dripped down her blouse but everything seemed fine.

It was only as we left we realised what was going on, barely had our cheeks slipped off our stools and two locals were seated and discussing Man United’s latest disaster. Little did we know we were so early into the pub we’d taken two locals’ favoured seats.

This is a big, well-spaced pub that is perfectly capable of hosting a very large outdoor party, a very decent pub games night and still leave the front bar free for the locals.

I enjoyed the down-to-earth approach, with more than a dash of chaos thrown in, created by the staff and can recommend popping in for a pint of Harvey’s should you feel inclined.

In hindsight I should probably have played safe and gone for a pint of Harvey’s Sussex Best at £4.60
In hindsight I should probably have played safe and gone for a pint of Harvey’s Sussex Best at £4.60
I’m not sure about the pecking order but the chickens in the back garden looked contented enough and provide plenty of eggs for sale at the bar
I’m not sure about the pecking order but the chickens in the back garden looked contented enough and provide plenty of eggs for sale at the bar

Queens Head, Ashford Road, Kingsnorth, Ashford TN23 3EN

Decor: It’s not often I’d forgive fairy lights in this quantity but in amongst these slightly quirky, down-to-earth decorations they work pretty well. And, the outside area more than makes up for the slightly dark interior. ***

Drink: The pub’s a winner for me and I’m sure there are times when the guest ales are much better, but neither the beer, nor wine, was wonderful when we were in. **

Price: I’d think twice before I spent another £4.80 on a Razor Back but the Harvey’s wasn’t much cheaper at £4.60 and a Camden Hells is £5.35. The wine was ‘okay’ and more reasonable at £6.50, but the crisps were £1.40 a bag. **

Staff: Wacky and willing to get involved in any conversation, I’d describe the busy barmaid as the mainstay of the Queens Head and she marshalled the chaos admirably. ****

The large high-beamed room on the right hand side of the pub has been set up with games in mind. There were a couple of lads playing darts during our visit but there’s plenty of comfy seating and I can imagine this is a popular area on busier evenings.
The large high-beamed room on the right hand side of the pub has been set up with games in mind. There were a couple of lads playing darts during our visit but there’s plenty of comfy seating and I can imagine this is a popular area on busier evenings.
The poster doesn’t say which bands or singers have been booked but the Queens Head, like many other pubs, has a beer and music festival planned for the August bank holiday
The poster doesn’t say which bands or singers have been booked but the Queens Head, like many other pubs, has a beer and music festival planned for the August bank holiday

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