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20-07-2023, 20:33
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It was a case third time lucky last Sunday afternoon when,after a spot of shopping in Tunbridge Wells, Matthew and I decided we could dowith a drink. It wasn’t exactly serious shopping, but rather an excuse to getout of the house and leave Mrs PBT’s in peace. We didn’t realise at the time,but Eileen was in the early stages of a bout of cellulitis. You might not haveheard much about this condition, but if not treated quickly it can be serious,and even life-threatening.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGemS3d5CupzQXCO6jk4iEKjsHDMWQ79atSiO4NmkU6r ETHhio37ajR4ma36VpQzZPev-U8pdzGJxiC9D5A0rWwNzgPqoPGpOyw93Q0tFlKtKl_rccxqTgM vv5KNWHkaQGzpa40E8QhibjVuphyD22Aq21SmfeH-YJc_XF_dNKnbJizswtORAx9_Zd7So/w400-h300/DSC00647.JPG (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGemS3d5CupzQXCO6jk4iEKjsHDMWQ79atSiO4NmkU6r ETHhio37ajR4ma36VpQzZPev-U8pdzGJxiC9D5A0rWwNzgPqoPGpOyw93Q0tFlKtKl_rccxqTgM vv5KNWHkaQGzpa40E8QhibjVuphyD22Aq21SmfeH-YJc_XF_dNKnbJizswtORAx9_Zd7So/s2048/DSC00647.JPG)
I won’t go into details here, although if you want to knowmore, then take a look on this link, (https://www.healthline.com/health/cellulitis-when-to-worry) but what I will say is that between us MrsPBT’s and I know quite a few people who have had cellulitis,and that most of them are male. Eileen has been prescribed a course of strongantibiotics, so strong in fact that they have left her feeling nauseous, andcompletely off her food. I’m jumping the gun somewhat here, as on Sunday, whilstsuspecting cellulitis was the cause of my wife’s malaise (she’d experienced this condition previously, about, three years ago), we weren’t quite completely certain, andbesides, I want to get back to the narrative and tell you more about the threepubs we visited.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhldwiBs-1XhqBBRkpg6bEgyDB3bVg6eHPyrcbI1kb7Duc5Df5Xk3phHPgP 3wFzu9y8Gplkhp9wZ_mj9Udw9bRpUoZZmj53g7EmhPU2EjsnrK LT4KnxQtcXBFNq-MIGZs3GeN_P2PCSLkRE106B92GpaRnPt8WGs2OUZunV2fIceDQ ruRbK8GpwCfv3QbQ/w400-h300/DSC00649.JPG (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhldwiBs-1XhqBBRkpg6bEgyDB3bVg6eHPyrcbI1kb7Duc5Df5Xk3phHPgP 3wFzu9y8Gplkhp9wZ_mj9Udw9bRpUoZZmj53g7EmhPU2EjsnrK LT4KnxQtcXBFNq-MIGZs3GeN_P2PCSLkRE106B92GpaRnPt8WGs2OUZunV2fIceDQ ruRbK8GpwCfv3QbQ/s2048/DSC00649.JPG)
Upon reaching Tunbridge Wells, we headed to the south of thetown and the area next to the former Tunbridge WellsWest station. The site is occupied by a large Sainsbury’s superstore at oneend, and by branches of both Lidl and Homebase at the other, and it was the lattershops that we called in at. For the record though, Tunbridge Wells West stationstill stands, with the large, former booking hall and waiting rooms, surmountedby an impressive clock tower, now home to a Smith & Western,"cowboy-inspired" restaurant, alongside a small hotel.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQkLX1spghKwGKrktb1G1XD-z4PjTgl95FQSl39X8wfWfJNX90KXA5M89cRMWsqaNMuu2MvfxQ 0iWfppgmYKA8tppMlwSdIG84dFD5quZHx-IyYhOAGDc8upfZsrtALrjq_p7LDVjj5siPglEDlNV0F6-gqKHgtKXpXj-PwN5HvMzFTG-s4KRsoY6zKE/w400-h300/2012-07-28%2012.51.18.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQkLX1spghKwGKrktb1G1XD-z4PjTgl95FQSl39X8wfWfJNX90KXA5M89cRMWsqaNMuu2MvfxQ 0iWfppgmYKA8tppMlwSdIG84dFD5quZHx-IyYhOAGDc8upfZsrtALrjq_p7LDVjj5siPglEDlNV0F6-gqKHgtKXpXj-PwN5HvMzFTG-s4KRsoY6zKE/s2048/2012-07-28%2012.51.18.jpg)
The Spa Valley Railway, now operate a heritage service ofmixed steam and diesel trains along the former BR branch-line to Eridge, and itwas the latter station we were heading for, by car though, rather than by rail.The line to Eridge, formerly connected the West station with Tunbridge WellsCentral, although following the removal of the rail link, the “central” suffixhas been dropped. The line itself closed pretty late in the general scheme ofthings, after having survived the notorious Beeching cuts of the mid-1960’s, bysome 20 years or so.
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It was a useful diversionary route, so its cull by the notoriously anti-railway government of Margaret Thatcher, was both unjustified, unnecessary, and almost certainly was drivenby the redevelopment potential of the large goods yard and train depot, next tothe West Station. As mentioned earlier, the former west yard was snapped up bySainsbury’s, with the large area of adjacent flat ground forming an ideal carpark.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRbvcXNGzVS28s33DA2Xz4YzWYdUW-0Q61ZdOfPWmY7LI2-xOJ3vOCWJUBLu6sU1YA59GTajAyfFevk-9IbBwLv6ZJXBbnCvKRwFBiQC7Tpe-VLHQIOy5ta4LuI0o6sRkRYMl3njJa32gtLl0UrN8mM6wcBNjkQ BfEm1Mq4OrO9Nn1In8M0G0ch_eJOM4/w400-h220/Huntsman%20Ext%20close%20up.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRbvcXNGzVS28s33DA2Xz4YzWYdUW-0Q61ZdOfPWmY7LI2-xOJ3vOCWJUBLu6sU1YA59GTajAyfFevk-9IbBwLv6ZJXBbnCvKRwFBiQC7Tpe-VLHQIOy5ta4LuI0o6sRkRYMl3njJa32gtLl0UrN8mM6wcBNjkQ BfEm1Mq4OrO9Nn1In8M0G0ch_eJOM4/s3834/Huntsman%20Ext%20close%20up.jpg)
Since those dark days of 1985, the heritage enthusiasts of the SVR havemanaged to reopen the former line in stages, initially to Groombridge and theneventually to Eridge, where it connects with the Southern mainline to Uckfield. I am mentioning the SVR primarily because their preservedrailway line crops up several times in this narrative. Also, as mentionedearlier, it was Eridge we were heading for, in order to visit the Huntsman pub,next to the station.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvw7vGcPNL9BIVfXR5_ztMnIVFw0YEChtpzqMdiIGO1R Cf9guV2huI1QIpmy7X4boMCX7rBVUrCLi0zMmKuptjGMI477dJ 9oaGN0QJMAGdg174zxxIN4V_3mmv8TqWStE5z7EMgVLiAq0N4l tABfXghTBxgUybttKojcXmB7qJ9xsOIAFsUGYdmfDpgFs/w400-h299/K&B.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvw7vGcPNL9BIVfXR5_ztMnIVFw0YEChtpzqMdiIGO1R Cf9guV2huI1QIpmy7X4boMCX7rBVUrCLi0zMmKuptjGMI477dJ 9oaGN0QJMAGdg174zxxIN4V_3mmv8TqWStE5z7EMgVLiAq0N4l tABfXghTBxgUybttKojcXmB7qJ9xsOIAFsUGYdmfDpgFs/s1733/K&B.jpg)
This former King & Barnes pub, is now a free-house,having been sold on by Dorset brewers, Hall & Woodhouse, who took over, andthe closed the much, lamented K & B Brewery, in Horsham, back in the early 2000’s. I’vesoft spot for the Huntsman, which probably dates back to the last time Itravelled from Tonbridge to Eridge, on a British Rail train. This would havebeen shortly before the line closed in the mid 80’s. I’ve only returned to the Huntsman on a handful of occasionssince then, although I’ve been meaning to revisit for quite some time. The lasttime I set foot in the pub, was on a return from a winter ales festival, heldat the Coopers Arms in Crowborough, but prior to that Matthew and I had visitedthe Huntsman a decade or so previously. On that occasion we were in the company of friendsfrom West Kent CAMRA, and the visit followed on from a ride on the Spa ValleyRailway. We enjoyed a decent lunch at the pub, along with some equally fineBadger ales, before walking across country to the picturesque Crown Inn,overlooking the green at neighbouring Groombridge.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsMhTYH98oXBDn4LJWyPP7UwjoLiOx3D-VUnoX0IPztlcZFmG1IYofTEeGR6ZNExBcomgKPW-LYH7-IH_iefRnbIgx00oYLcwFahZ2kylS-99Jw7QPiihnf5UlUaQCupMHkMBPvtKApRK_-ukE5ibOUiqsytA3Rh8TBJlkvuBlaLCjJTLBlfehg8KEeOY/w225-h400/Beacon%20reception.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsMhTYH98oXBDn4LJWyPP7UwjoLiOx3D-VUnoX0IPztlcZFmG1IYofTEeGR6ZNExBcomgKPW-LYH7-IH_iefRnbIgx00oYLcwFahZ2kylS-99Jw7QPiihnf5UlUaQCupMHkMBPvtKApRK_-ukE5ibOUiqsytA3Rh8TBJlkvuBlaLCjJTLBlfehg8KEeOY/s4000/Beacon%20reception.jpg)
This time we headed south from Tunbridge Wells, beforeturning off the busy A26 road at the bottom of a valley. We then followed the roadfor a short distance past Eridge station and parked the car. As we walked alongto pub, we could see across to the sunken garden at the side of the pub. It seemeddeserted, which set alarm bells ringing, and when we reached the entrance, therewas no sign of life and just a rather ominous notice on the door.“Sorry, we are unable to open the pub today, due to a poweroutage,” or words to that effect, which meant my second attempt, this year, tovisit the Huntsman, ended in failure. "Never mind,” I said to Matthew, we can visitthe High Rocks instead. Returning to the car, we followed the narrow road fromthe pub, in a roughly westerly direction, whilst keeping an eye out for a turningon the right, to the High Rocks.
We didn’t see one, and not long after, ended up inGroombridge. We could have stopped at the aforementioned Crown, but parking canbe a little tricky there, so we continued up the hill towards Tunbridge Wells, throughLangton, and the edge of Rusthall. Plan C was to call in at the Beacon situatedalong the quaintly named Tea Garden Lane. It must be a decade or more since Ilast set foot in the Beacon, but back in the day it was a favourite wateringhole for local CAMRA members, due to it stocking the then, rather rare, TimothyTaylor’s Landlord.
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A lot can change in 10 years, or even in four, because thepub was last surveyed by the local CAMRA branch in January 2019, but since thattime the Beacon (https://www.the-beacon.co.uk/) appears to have morphed into a very upmarket, wedding venue. Itwas all very pleasant, but the place is no longer a pub catering to the casualdrinker. We walked up the steps leading to the terrace bar, passing through whatlooked like the reception area, as the Beacon now offers accommodation.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFr7YeNKMTnKzyX3SvGQvpRmYL-myne2QlypTrjPwMH5EIa8d7eXkd3563or-GI1rU0lwC53OToX4HlDBXuYrTypoNq2yufqy80icZziQSFH5YL ng6c710pKjIwW2eKesA9KdpvrE3j0plJ9NY2ZzsmS9rM6hsV3n Qnzh-0Kgj0YQ6nzI4wDHMv-Q3mE/w400-h210/Beacon%20terrace.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFr7YeNKMTnKzyX3SvGQvpRmYL-myne2QlypTrjPwMH5EIa8d7eXkd3563or-GI1rU0lwC53OToX4HlDBXuYrTypoNq2yufqy80icZziQSFH5YL ng6c710pKjIwW2eKesA9KdpvrE3j0plJ9NY2ZzsmS9rM6hsV3n Qnzh-0Kgj0YQ6nzI4wDHMv-Q3mE/s3700/Beacon%20terrace.jpg)
At the bar, we directed through to the terrace, by a memberof the waiting staff. I said that we only wanted a drink, to which the replywas, “That’s fine, I will bring you the drinks menu.” This duly arrived, but itseemed to be wine only. When I mentioned the Beacon’s former reputation for “realale,” the young man gave me a look that straight away said he didn’t have aclue what I was talking about. “It it’s beer you want, we do have Coors,” he said,with a faint hint of expectation in his voice.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghj6HynctQV_Gbctcgs6nrPRG2sPw5rZmF1hOCLnov7B tDOz3GF2Pc65nn9sUfnOZL4WrnGwh89WLuLIU0o7W3k36wCYf7 HMPSORZ26A5mlYpggrslHbwGklHMmxzLqJz2SNNmKcplV6qqzs eAEY9wXbdLU5qkRiPQLBx4p5wTICw3z6VucFmfCtBtZlM/w400-h225/IMG_20230716_154031.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghj6HynctQV_Gbctcgs6nrPRG2sPw5rZmF1hOCLnov7B tDOz3GF2Pc65nn9sUfnOZL4WrnGwh89WLuLIU0o7W3k36wCYf7 HMPSORZ26A5mlYpggrslHbwGklHMmxzLqJz2SNNmKcplV6qqzs eAEY9wXbdLU5qkRiPQLBx4p5wTICw3z6VucFmfCtBtZlM/s4000/IMG_20230716_154031.jpg)
I politely declined his offer and told him we’d be heading elsewhere. This was a shame, as the view from the Beacon’sterrace was stunning, with vistas right across what is known locally as "Happy Valley,"and it is this natural feature through which the Tunbridge Wells- Eridge lineruns – (Spa Valley Railway!). As if to illustrate the point, we heard thewhistle of a steam train as it passed through the wooded course of the River Grom below us.I called this piece, "third time lucky," and indeed we bothwere when we made our way to the third hostelry of the afternoon. However,despite the title of this post, I shall have to leave describing the “lucky” thirdpub, until next time, as I’ve waffled on rather too long with this one. To be continued………………
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https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK0AwT45QrnyW62GeYaNALyRtMiJ4dqCMfl64aDSRHHe 7OlHRAg4lKm2Q60YgvGVnnvZDFUch2ssURrJSCwHU3F9wDotIA 1x88bd56XlhP_WIpHE1R3icwbvqIUN1E7UoMgIb9PZFpk7m9tL BLJjuNw71npdyo0UL5HRPfU4Y6bLsPMsxcfplrVRyCgOg/w400-h225/IMG_20230716_154117.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK0AwT45QrnyW62GeYaNALyRtMiJ4dqCMfl64aDSRHHe 7OlHRAg4lKm2Q60YgvGVnnvZDFUch2ssURrJSCwHU3F9wDotIA 1x88bd56XlhP_WIpHE1R3icwbvqIUN1E7UoMgIb9PZFpk7m9tL BLJjuNw71npdyo0UL5HRPfU4Y6bLsPMsxcfplrVRyCgOg/s4000/IMG_20230716_154117.jpg)
It was a case third time lucky last Sunday afternoon when,after a spot of shopping in Tunbridge Wells, Matthew and I decided we could dowith a drink. It wasn’t exactly serious shopping, but rather an excuse to getout of the house and leave Mrs PBT’s in peace. We didn’t realise at the time,but Eileen was in the early stages of a bout of cellulitis. You might not haveheard much about this condition, but if not treated quickly it can be serious,and even life-threatening.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGemS3d5CupzQXCO6jk4iEKjsHDMWQ79atSiO4NmkU6r ETHhio37ajR4ma36VpQzZPev-U8pdzGJxiC9D5A0rWwNzgPqoPGpOyw93Q0tFlKtKl_rccxqTgM vv5KNWHkaQGzpa40E8QhibjVuphyD22Aq21SmfeH-YJc_XF_dNKnbJizswtORAx9_Zd7So/w400-h300/DSC00647.JPG (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGemS3d5CupzQXCO6jk4iEKjsHDMWQ79atSiO4NmkU6r ETHhio37ajR4ma36VpQzZPev-U8pdzGJxiC9D5A0rWwNzgPqoPGpOyw93Q0tFlKtKl_rccxqTgM vv5KNWHkaQGzpa40E8QhibjVuphyD22Aq21SmfeH-YJc_XF_dNKnbJizswtORAx9_Zd7So/s2048/DSC00647.JPG)
I won’t go into details here, although if you want to knowmore, then take a look on this link, (https://www.healthline.com/health/cellulitis-when-to-worry) but what I will say is that between us MrsPBT’s and I know quite a few people who have had cellulitis,and that most of them are male. Eileen has been prescribed a course of strongantibiotics, so strong in fact that they have left her feeling nauseous, andcompletely off her food. I’m jumping the gun somewhat here, as on Sunday, whilstsuspecting cellulitis was the cause of my wife’s malaise (she’d experienced this condition previously, about, three years ago), we weren’t quite completely certain, andbesides, I want to get back to the narrative and tell you more about the threepubs we visited.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhldwiBs-1XhqBBRkpg6bEgyDB3bVg6eHPyrcbI1kb7Duc5Df5Xk3phHPgP 3wFzu9y8Gplkhp9wZ_mj9Udw9bRpUoZZmj53g7EmhPU2EjsnrK LT4KnxQtcXBFNq-MIGZs3GeN_P2PCSLkRE106B92GpaRnPt8WGs2OUZunV2fIceDQ ruRbK8GpwCfv3QbQ/w400-h300/DSC00649.JPG (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhldwiBs-1XhqBBRkpg6bEgyDB3bVg6eHPyrcbI1kb7Duc5Df5Xk3phHPgP 3wFzu9y8Gplkhp9wZ_mj9Udw9bRpUoZZmj53g7EmhPU2EjsnrK LT4KnxQtcXBFNq-MIGZs3GeN_P2PCSLkRE106B92GpaRnPt8WGs2OUZunV2fIceDQ ruRbK8GpwCfv3QbQ/s2048/DSC00649.JPG)
Upon reaching Tunbridge Wells, we headed to the south of thetown and the area next to the former Tunbridge WellsWest station. The site is occupied by a large Sainsbury’s superstore at oneend, and by branches of both Lidl and Homebase at the other, and it was the lattershops that we called in at. For the record though, Tunbridge Wells West stationstill stands, with the large, former booking hall and waiting rooms, surmountedby an impressive clock tower, now home to a Smith & Western,"cowboy-inspired" restaurant, alongside a small hotel.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQkLX1spghKwGKrktb1G1XD-z4PjTgl95FQSl39X8wfWfJNX90KXA5M89cRMWsqaNMuu2MvfxQ 0iWfppgmYKA8tppMlwSdIG84dFD5quZHx-IyYhOAGDc8upfZsrtALrjq_p7LDVjj5siPglEDlNV0F6-gqKHgtKXpXj-PwN5HvMzFTG-s4KRsoY6zKE/w400-h300/2012-07-28%2012.51.18.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQkLX1spghKwGKrktb1G1XD-z4PjTgl95FQSl39X8wfWfJNX90KXA5M89cRMWsqaNMuu2MvfxQ 0iWfppgmYKA8tppMlwSdIG84dFD5quZHx-IyYhOAGDc8upfZsrtALrjq_p7LDVjj5siPglEDlNV0F6-gqKHgtKXpXj-PwN5HvMzFTG-s4KRsoY6zKE/s2048/2012-07-28%2012.51.18.jpg)
The Spa Valley Railway, now operate a heritage service ofmixed steam and diesel trains along the former BR branch-line to Eridge, and itwas the latter station we were heading for, by car though, rather than by rail.The line to Eridge, formerly connected the West station with Tunbridge WellsCentral, although following the removal of the rail link, the “central” suffixhas been dropped. The line itself closed pretty late in the general scheme ofthings, after having survived the notorious Beeching cuts of the mid-1960’s, bysome 20 years or so.
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It was a useful diversionary route, so its cull by the notoriously anti-railway government of Margaret Thatcher, was both unjustified, unnecessary, and almost certainly was drivenby the redevelopment potential of the large goods yard and train depot, next tothe West Station. As mentioned earlier, the former west yard was snapped up bySainsbury’s, with the large area of adjacent flat ground forming an ideal carpark.
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Since those dark days of 1985, the heritage enthusiasts of the SVR havemanaged to reopen the former line in stages, initially to Groombridge and theneventually to Eridge, where it connects with the Southern mainline to Uckfield. I am mentioning the SVR primarily because their preservedrailway line crops up several times in this narrative. Also, as mentionedearlier, it was Eridge we were heading for, in order to visit the Huntsman pub,next to the station.
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This former King & Barnes pub, is now a free-house,having been sold on by Dorset brewers, Hall & Woodhouse, who took over, andthe closed the much, lamented K & B Brewery, in Horsham, back in the early 2000’s. I’vesoft spot for the Huntsman, which probably dates back to the last time Itravelled from Tonbridge to Eridge, on a British Rail train. This would havebeen shortly before the line closed in the mid 80’s. I’ve only returned to the Huntsman on a handful of occasionssince then, although I’ve been meaning to revisit for quite some time. The lasttime I set foot in the pub, was on a return from a winter ales festival, heldat the Coopers Arms in Crowborough, but prior to that Matthew and I had visitedthe Huntsman a decade or so previously. On that occasion we were in the company of friendsfrom West Kent CAMRA, and the visit followed on from a ride on the Spa ValleyRailway. We enjoyed a decent lunch at the pub, along with some equally fineBadger ales, before walking across country to the picturesque Crown Inn,overlooking the green at neighbouring Groombridge.
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This time we headed south from Tunbridge Wells, beforeturning off the busy A26 road at the bottom of a valley. We then followed the roadfor a short distance past Eridge station and parked the car. As we walked alongto pub, we could see across to the sunken garden at the side of the pub. It seemeddeserted, which set alarm bells ringing, and when we reached the entrance, therewas no sign of life and just a rather ominous notice on the door.“Sorry, we are unable to open the pub today, due to a poweroutage,” or words to that effect, which meant my second attempt, this year, tovisit the Huntsman, ended in failure. "Never mind,” I said to Matthew, we can visitthe High Rocks instead. Returning to the car, we followed the narrow road fromthe pub, in a roughly westerly direction, whilst keeping an eye out for a turningon the right, to the High Rocks.
We didn’t see one, and not long after, ended up inGroombridge. We could have stopped at the aforementioned Crown, but parking canbe a little tricky there, so we continued up the hill towards Tunbridge Wells, throughLangton, and the edge of Rusthall. Plan C was to call in at the Beacon situatedalong the quaintly named Tea Garden Lane. It must be a decade or more since Ilast set foot in the Beacon, but back in the day it was a favourite wateringhole for local CAMRA members, due to it stocking the then, rather rare, TimothyTaylor’s Landlord.
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A lot can change in 10 years, or even in four, because thepub was last surveyed by the local CAMRA branch in January 2019, but since thattime the Beacon (https://www.the-beacon.co.uk/) appears to have morphed into a very upmarket, wedding venue. Itwas all very pleasant, but the place is no longer a pub catering to the casualdrinker. We walked up the steps leading to the terrace bar, passing through whatlooked like the reception area, as the Beacon now offers accommodation.
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At the bar, we directed through to the terrace, by a memberof the waiting staff. I said that we only wanted a drink, to which the replywas, “That’s fine, I will bring you the drinks menu.” This duly arrived, but itseemed to be wine only. When I mentioned the Beacon’s former reputation for “realale,” the young man gave me a look that straight away said he didn’t have aclue what I was talking about. “It it’s beer you want, we do have Coors,” he said,with a faint hint of expectation in his voice.
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I politely declined his offer and told him we’d be heading elsewhere. This was a shame, as the view from the Beacon’sterrace was stunning, with vistas right across what is known locally as "Happy Valley,"and it is this natural feature through which the Tunbridge Wells- Eridge lineruns – (Spa Valley Railway!). As if to illustrate the point, we heard thewhistle of a steam train as it passed through the wooded course of the River Grom below us.I called this piece, "third time lucky," and indeed we bothwere when we made our way to the third hostelry of the afternoon. However,despite the title of this post, I shall have to leave describing the “lucky” thirdpub, until next time, as I’ve waffled on rather too long with this one. To be continued………………
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