Off the beaten path, but certainly worth the trek.
While staying the weekend with some friends in Surrey, we decided to roam over to Kent specifically to visit this pub. It was a gem they'd discovered and wanted to share with their American friend (that's me).
I'm not new to English pub life. For the last 15-ish years, I've been going to Ol' Blighty at least a couple times a year for work. Having friends and family scattered around, I've been lucky to explore a lot of untouristy spots. And the Rock is one of those gems.
Nestled into the Kent (Garden of England), near Hever Castle and just off the road, you'll find The Rock. The bar staff are friendly, funny and just perfectly cheeky. The booze is tasty. I'm not a beer drinker, but they seemed to have good choices that kept my friend happy. The wine list looked inviting, but I was cold and tired, so I opted for an Irish Coffee. I am pretty sure the sugar, caffeine and booze set me on a bender for the rest of the weekend. I was WIRED and really happy about it.
We kept drinking and were not disappointed. Finally we decided it would be smart to eat something, so we did. The Tweed Eggs and Piggy Pillows were inventive spins on traditional pub fare (Scotch Eggs & Sausage Rolls), but done to a new level. The Eggs included black pudding for an extra richness. The Pillows were an IMMENSE amount of delicious sausage inside a light fluffy pastry. We ate so much that I couldn't finish my sandwich.
The sandwich was served on giant slices of beautifully crafted bread, melted brie, bacon and a lovely jam. I wish I hadn't filled up on starters, cuz that sandwich was AMAZING. But don't worry, I took it home. Oh, and the chips - the CHIPS! - not fries, not crisps (don't be confused my fellow Americans). They're proper chips. Now I'm a huge fan of fries, but there is NO correlation between American french fries and British Chips. They're different animals. I won't go into the finer details here, but just know that The Rock has chips to kill for.
If you find yourself in Kent and happen to be hungry or thirsty - find your way to The Rock. You will not be disappointed.
Also, if you happen to drink too many of their lovely libations, there is the Rice B&B available for 2 quid a night/person. Sleeps 3. It's a converted horse trailer, perfect for the lush who can't find her/his way home. read more