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09-02-2024, 18:30
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After escaping from the field and its flock of sinister-lookingsheep, that seemed intent on preventing me from finishing last Saturday’s walk,I reached the busy, A26 main road and continued north for a couple of hundredyards. This brought me to the Nevill Crest & Gun (https://www.brunningandprice.co.uk/nevillcrestandgun/homepage/), an attractive pub withover 500 years of history. Set back fromthe road, and close to the entrance of Eridge Park Estate, the Nevill was the placewhere I could rest for a while, take the weight off my feet, and relax, over apint or two of beer.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1QJ9UT-O_hjYOgXvJyOf-498nuWGdiZrqwMKf1ZTIDdoMkynLyM8BDgQpAyXwJenGwshQKL trz1-_2Vx4_9gFx66-kJvlm3DkcNug8ik6iKGm5inUcqr2fIPiIzYvGz0xFz651Uud8Z iaRzb606UsmYObLcp0jCXK19dm7x3uhx9O6B6Xxn4KRHf5ds0/w400-h225/Nevill%20fire.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1QJ9UT-O_hjYOgXvJyOf-498nuWGdiZrqwMKf1ZTIDdoMkynLyM8BDgQpAyXwJenGwshQKL trz1-_2Vx4_9gFx66-kJvlm3DkcNug8ik6iKGm5inUcqr2fIPiIzYvGz0xFz651Uud8Z iaRzb606UsmYObLcp0jCXK19dm7x3uhx9O6B6Xxn4KRHf5ds0/s4000/Nevill%20fire.jpg)
The intriguing name of the pub relates to its connection withthe nearby Eridge Park Estate, home to the Nevill family since 1448. The “NevillCrest” refers quite literally to the crest of the Nevill family, and it istheir coat of arms that adorns the pub and many other buildings in thesurrounding area. The “Gun” part of the name arose from a forge on the estatewhich produced cannons and cannon balls. At one time an ancient cannon, made ofstrips of metal held together with hoops, was fired on fair days or other daysof celebration, and it is this Gun that is referred to in the pub name.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkYglKJ7lhX9xzwFHzlK-17GiAU_dxV5hRQce6T4DyqGHAK3j0TsLlROOnMUXQOJODJyWDP Jb0NjU1sJabS_FC20CCmLV1rSr_ap76nAXnb7JkcYe_oJ_DL0u fojXxPS1AtvBoB9EOAdt5NWxMpaYIXLeIRGeQ37dxR4MUpkQ7G dBX251Ny2nB7NH9U5c/w400-h234/Abergavenny%20side%20view.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkYglKJ7lhX9xzwFHzlK-17GiAU_dxV5hRQce6T4DyqGHAK3j0TsLlROOnMUXQOJODJyWDP Jb0NjU1sJabS_FC20CCmLV1rSr_ap76nAXnb7JkcYe_oJ_DL0u fojXxPS1AtvBoB9EOAdt5NWxMpaYIXLeIRGeQ37dxR4MUpkQ7G dBX251Ny2nB7NH9U5c/s3337/Abergavenny%20side%20view.jpg)
Eridge Park has been the home of the Nevill family since theyinherited the house and estate in 1448. The Nevills were also granted the titleof Earls of Abergavenny, and this is reflected by the name of the pub in the nearbyvillage of Frant. I started my walk, last Saturday from the Abergavenny Arms, (https://www.abergavennyarms.co.uk/)so it is worth taking a look at this hostelry first, before moving on to the NevillCrest & Gun. The Abergavenny is anattractive, formercoaching inn, which occupies aprominent position overlooking the main A267 Tunbridge Wells- Eastbourneroad. The part tile-hung building dates back to the 15th Century,and the age of the building is immediately apparent when you step inside. Thereare two large, heavily beamed rooms, one of which acts as arestaurant-cum-function room. Both areas are served from a large andwell-appointed bar, and as I discovered last weekend, this is the beating hearof the pub.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhucraV3-1UV2tas5mk68ofr3EqxhyVXoGNZ_5pTXbqb6fH9S2aepW6wNvb mdbbQH5UKW1VsA4xS8KYvAV6fBUfH4FoFduge3QxlfYRiyhybp QbyHkGO1mvsPdAruAbU1XBNbhVJiGMuXABolmJDFPlFWDF-Zuw_pvHVCYV286eufumHtavDdsOAu6HzK0/w400-h225/Abergavenny%20bar.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhucraV3-1UV2tas5mk68ofr3EqxhyVXoGNZ_5pTXbqb6fH9S2aepW6wNvb mdbbQH5UKW1VsA4xS8KYvAV6fBUfH4FoFduge3QxlfYRiyhybp QbyHkGO1mvsPdAruAbU1XBNbhVJiGMuXABolmJDFPlFWDF-Zuw_pvHVCYV286eufumHtavDdsOAu6HzK0/s4000/Abergavenny%20bar.jpg)
I enteredvia the side door, as this was the closest entrance to the bus stop, passing therestaurant on my way to the bar. There were a number of barflies sat at the counter,although there was still room for me to be served. Harvey’s Best was the solecask beer on sale, but it was in excellent form. The elderly male clique at thebar appeared totally unaware of my presence, although the barmaid was friendly,as was the lone female, perched on a stool, away from the old duffers, but asshe seemed engrossed in a book, our conversation was largely to the antics ofthe pub dog, who was alternating between the log fire, and the possibility of treatsat the bar.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIKPbeSNyp0E4sd3o_rdg6WhwZuortMPtUAWOrY-ckLLtuSNYFBKin-bL_7buFKSCNQF5T69JtDCQub0fO3yOhBuEO_m8MBJON2icudBv rM4X5NyNsivsZ4HKqVT2O4LvBKBqEacxxyOZEjW2Wlwgabhzne dS6-ol0IW2TAZ9tEbkgC56pZ6YFJXCNjh0/w400-h219/Abergavenny%20front%20view.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIKPbeSNyp0E4sd3o_rdg6WhwZuortMPtUAWOrY-ckLLtuSNYFBKin-bL_7buFKSCNQF5T69JtDCQub0fO3yOhBuEO_m8MBJON2icudBv rM4X5NyNsivsZ4HKqVT2O4LvBKBqEacxxyOZEjW2Wlwgabhzne dS6-ol0IW2TAZ9tEbkgC56pZ6YFJXCNjh0/s3718/Abergavenny%20front%20view.jpg)
If anything,the place embodied middle England on a Saturday lunchtime, where the male customerscome to get away from their significant others. As for the girl, I got the impressionshe was waiting for someone, and was reading a book so as not to feel out of place.The Abergavenny is primarily a diners’ pub, although as witnessed, it doescater for drinkers in the area around the bar.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKcAHSS-Yqs6Qgy1Xc-k-GHn1QNHTpaP06kEyddPrLxpa1l2n0s58-Cr-z3x0Rj6g6bS3t-HNkgyiRIXJNAvQAN6Rh_NsSdAow06CsTZ4eYO1FvIntNjr5UPa sit2z7B5ZQxUcHTWZlEoQtL9VfgwERgrgXAw5whSNSY4KYGMqu UFgmydcvyiDqU66PPQ/w400-h225/Eridge%20view.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKcAHSS-Yqs6Qgy1Xc-k-GHn1QNHTpaP06kEyddPrLxpa1l2n0s58-Cr-z3x0Rj6g6bS3t-HNkgyiRIXJNAvQAN6Rh_NsSdAow06CsTZ4eYO1FvIntNjr5UPa sit2z7B5ZQxUcHTWZlEoQtL9VfgwERgrgXAw5whSNSY4KYGMqu UFgmydcvyiDqU66PPQ/s4000/Eridge%20view.jpg)The villages of Frant and Eridge, both lie beyond the southernfringes of Tunbridge Wells, with the former situated on the A276 road whichruns towards Eastbourne, and the latter lying on the A26, which leads down toLewes, the county town of East Sussex. The villages, and their pubs, areconnected by a short section of the Tunbridge Wells Circular Walk, and this wasthe rather muddy hike reported on in the post before last.
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Returningto the Nevill Crest & Gun, this 500-year-old listed building was oncepart of the aforementioned Eridge Park Estate. Today the pub is part of theBrunning & Price (https://www.brunningandprice.co.uk/company/homepage/) chain and NOT, as stated incorrectly in my post ofSeptember 2020, a Whiting & Hammond establishment. For the record, the latterare a small, local chain of pubs, operated along similar lines to B&P,although it is quite easy to confuse the two. The Little Brown Jug, just ashort distance away from my workplace in Chiddingstone Causeway, is a Whiting& Hammond pub, as is the Chaser Inn, at Shipbourne, to the northof Tonbridge.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HvcbNy3Ir8p-AtWmQhaDN73plT6k9wp_jJ_AHjTdJFufxcI2wNRcldwuugqQ7f pZEA4IfWZav1PTeMjNSqEvFsiEHO_jxNwJS7fH_kt9lC3JBDHQ WZVh6l-WjphIdEQRGRp9YNCaZbv89JnL24jsThmbYUIy0NVXJzW8vH_T9 rR9IMxBL-rg1suLCuw/w400-h245/Nevill%20bar.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HvcbNy3Ir8p-AtWmQhaDN73plT6k9wp_jJ_AHjTdJFufxcI2wNRcldwuugqQ7f pZEA4IfWZav1PTeMjNSqEvFsiEHO_jxNwJS7fH_kt9lC3JBDHQ WZVh6l-WjphIdEQRGRp9YNCaZbv89JnL24jsThmbYUIy0NVXJzW8vH_T9 rR9IMxBL-rg1suLCuw/s3669/Nevill%20bar.jpg)
The NevillCrest and Gun has an interior on two slightly different levels. There are plentyof old beams, as might be expected in a building of this age, whilst at the rearof the pub, a lighter garden room, overlooking the lawns, is popular in summer.In early February, the open log fires were of much more interest to me than thegarden, and they helped add to the atmosphere of this lovely old pub.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRsCeK2xFl7ousOspLrXx3K8KTTuK7yquES3BqPrp-l2CaOd6VK5KcC-VIljOu9apNU206HyEbAFlxsZs1DDteAla5uz30gPrNu96Y88oX 86Og9yBEi_NmfnahBZI9fl4xSZdPMtBVmOFV4EHt8XEQ0XWdPc NTPyTW5_snuNSIRQEH8QFUy0qcasTkPq4/w400-h225/IMG_20211108_115553.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRsCeK2xFl7ousOspLrXx3K8KTTuK7yquES3BqPrp-l2CaOd6VK5KcC-VIljOu9apNU206HyEbAFlxsZs1DDteAla5uz30gPrNu96Y88oX 86Og9yBEi_NmfnahBZI9fl4xSZdPMtBVmOFV4EHt8XEQ0XWdPc NTPyTW5_snuNSIRQEH8QFUy0qcasTkPq4/s4000/IMG_20211108_115553.jpg)
One feature I was glad about was the flooring of bare brickand exposed wooden boards, especially in view of my muddy walking boots. I tookthe precaution of placing those disposable over shoes (the type you see inclean room areas) on my footwear, but I still felt a little self-conscioussliding around with these bright-blue coverings over my hiking boots but wearingthem was a darn sight easier than having to completely remove my tightly lacedboots.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWhvASLktjuiBSFPMKyThqIOl3lwnWDeIW7bXLxoHQg r9-vN8Exbcn-S4wNDxw8qLdMALF30bVfAkEHWg20cvevaZ5bg_QiGNdrMeMTjB 5oGmAFjxXvrDdHmDRhaiYsoX_BnBeskxpkSulDlGFC9uvwXT0u oSMCyU_lvLekReuwMr9WtkJAJAX26U92s/w400-h225/Nevill%20beers.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWhvASLktjuiBSFPMKyThqIOl3lwnWDeIW7bXLxoHQg r9-vN8Exbcn-S4wNDxw8qLdMALF30bVfAkEHWg20cvevaZ5bg_QiGNdrMeMTjB 5oGmAFjxXvrDdHmDRhaiYsoX_BnBeskxpkSulDlGFC9uvwXT0u oSMCyU_lvLekReuwMr9WtkJAJAX26U92s/s4000/Nevill%20beers.jpg)
As in other B&P pubs, a comprehensive food menu isavailable along with a selection of cask beers, some of them local. I startedoff with a pint of Harvey’s Best last Saturday, and it was stunningly good. Iscored it at 4.5 on Untappd. Also available was Volks ESB from 360° Brewery, aCoffee Stout collaboration beer between Vocation and Adnam’s, plus the “House”B&P Best Biter, brewed by St Austell. I risked a half of the Coffee Stoutand was glad it wasn’t a pint. There was nothing wrong with the beer, it just wasn’tto my taste.
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There was a nice Saturday afternoon atmosphere in theNevill, during the duration of my visit. A couple sitting at the bar, commentedon my choice of Coffee Stout, having tried it for themselves, but with theHarvey’s as good as it was, anything else would have paled into insignificance.The pub seemed dog friendly too, as might be expected in a country pub.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAqoM4uveRaFx5hq4BJUADSGYd-GwjEbqjY8wSXraqsaiPxv96w5Pz_OkCblOLAvzjnz2DRQxNBCT BS5WVHwKw8iRRpgA8MJ7UmdUQOsH3sJuUYzcJAeRp2wPEhNMgh S2FoEFQE13SYZ8ZcZEakN2ZWUjtpX_0237M-WKcjV-Nr0phxxtQVqJTa_aPzg/w400-h225/Hare%20staircase.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAqoM4uveRaFx5hq4BJUADSGYd-GwjEbqjY8wSXraqsaiPxv96w5Pz_OkCblOLAvzjnz2DRQxNBCT BS5WVHwKw8iRRpgA8MJ7UmdUQOsH3sJuUYzcJAeRp2wPEhNMgh S2FoEFQE13SYZ8ZcZEakN2ZWUjtpX_0237M-WKcjV-Nr0phxxtQVqJTa_aPzg/s3910/Hare%20staircase.jpg)
So, two Brunning & Price pubs in less than a week, (remembermy meal at the Hare with our Japanese visitors?) With its rustic feel and attractive rural setting,I found the Nevill far more to my taste, than the Hare. The latter was pleasantenough, even though it reminded me of a posh Edwardian family home, with itsimpressive mahogany staircase, and collection of comfortably furnished roomsleading off from the central vestibule. The numerous paintings completed the sceneif you’ll pardon the pun. So, all in all some interesting, and quite contrasting pubs,all contained within a relatively tight geographical area. What will my next pubvisit turn up?
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https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrNTZVQGY2blqdMrmVwOOOUKvpV2pjMrMeyzRDeqUyz4 YZxxFUAG9Ge3nRhtVE05vU9JkesDiNx8ijF9_kzvsM_SP-EWA836eFKjbLvHfbA70v1VYFw_eRdXTdnLzh29m1344ng0-slza7NFwkIYNpq6315r7lxqhZNEL8XEduzRCqZhDa-f47av8N2qo/w400-h220/Neville%20crest%20long%20view.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrNTZVQGY2blqdMrmVwOOOUKvpV2pjMrMeyzRDeqUyz4 YZxxFUAG9Ge3nRhtVE05vU9JkesDiNx8ijF9_kzvsM_SP-EWA836eFKjbLvHfbA70v1VYFw_eRdXTdnLzh29m1344ng0-slza7NFwkIYNpq6315r7lxqhZNEL8XEduzRCqZhDa-f47av8N2qo/s3939/Neville%20crest%20long%20view.jpg)
After escaping from the field and its flock of sinister-lookingsheep, that seemed intent on preventing me from finishing last Saturday’s walk,I reached the busy, A26 main road and continued north for a couple of hundredyards. This brought me to the Nevill Crest & Gun (https://www.brunningandprice.co.uk/nevillcrestandgun/homepage/), an attractive pub withover 500 years of history. Set back fromthe road, and close to the entrance of Eridge Park Estate, the Nevill was the placewhere I could rest for a while, take the weight off my feet, and relax, over apint or two of beer.
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The intriguing name of the pub relates to its connection withthe nearby Eridge Park Estate, home to the Nevill family since 1448. The “NevillCrest” refers quite literally to the crest of the Nevill family, and it istheir coat of arms that adorns the pub and many other buildings in thesurrounding area. The “Gun” part of the name arose from a forge on the estatewhich produced cannons and cannon balls. At one time an ancient cannon, made ofstrips of metal held together with hoops, was fired on fair days or other daysof celebration, and it is this Gun that is referred to in the pub name.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkYglKJ7lhX9xzwFHzlK-17GiAU_dxV5hRQce6T4DyqGHAK3j0TsLlROOnMUXQOJODJyWDP Jb0NjU1sJabS_FC20CCmLV1rSr_ap76nAXnb7JkcYe_oJ_DL0u fojXxPS1AtvBoB9EOAdt5NWxMpaYIXLeIRGeQ37dxR4MUpkQ7G dBX251Ny2nB7NH9U5c/w400-h234/Abergavenny%20side%20view.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkYglKJ7lhX9xzwFHzlK-17GiAU_dxV5hRQce6T4DyqGHAK3j0TsLlROOnMUXQOJODJyWDP Jb0NjU1sJabS_FC20CCmLV1rSr_ap76nAXnb7JkcYe_oJ_DL0u fojXxPS1AtvBoB9EOAdt5NWxMpaYIXLeIRGeQ37dxR4MUpkQ7G dBX251Ny2nB7NH9U5c/s3337/Abergavenny%20side%20view.jpg)
Eridge Park has been the home of the Nevill family since theyinherited the house and estate in 1448. The Nevills were also granted the titleof Earls of Abergavenny, and this is reflected by the name of the pub in the nearbyvillage of Frant. I started my walk, last Saturday from the Abergavenny Arms, (https://www.abergavennyarms.co.uk/)so it is worth taking a look at this hostelry first, before moving on to the NevillCrest & Gun. The Abergavenny is anattractive, formercoaching inn, which occupies aprominent position overlooking the main A267 Tunbridge Wells- Eastbourneroad. The part tile-hung building dates back to the 15th Century,and the age of the building is immediately apparent when you step inside. Thereare two large, heavily beamed rooms, one of which acts as arestaurant-cum-function room. Both areas are served from a large andwell-appointed bar, and as I discovered last weekend, this is the beating hearof the pub.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhucraV3-1UV2tas5mk68ofr3EqxhyVXoGNZ_5pTXbqb6fH9S2aepW6wNvb mdbbQH5UKW1VsA4xS8KYvAV6fBUfH4FoFduge3QxlfYRiyhybp QbyHkGO1mvsPdAruAbU1XBNbhVJiGMuXABolmJDFPlFWDF-Zuw_pvHVCYV286eufumHtavDdsOAu6HzK0/w400-h225/Abergavenny%20bar.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhucraV3-1UV2tas5mk68ofr3EqxhyVXoGNZ_5pTXbqb6fH9S2aepW6wNvb mdbbQH5UKW1VsA4xS8KYvAV6fBUfH4FoFduge3QxlfYRiyhybp QbyHkGO1mvsPdAruAbU1XBNbhVJiGMuXABolmJDFPlFWDF-Zuw_pvHVCYV286eufumHtavDdsOAu6HzK0/s4000/Abergavenny%20bar.jpg)
I enteredvia the side door, as this was the closest entrance to the bus stop, passing therestaurant on my way to the bar. There were a number of barflies sat at the counter,although there was still room for me to be served. Harvey’s Best was the solecask beer on sale, but it was in excellent form. The elderly male clique at thebar appeared totally unaware of my presence, although the barmaid was friendly,as was the lone female, perched on a stool, away from the old duffers, but asshe seemed engrossed in a book, our conversation was largely to the antics ofthe pub dog, who was alternating between the log fire, and the possibility of treatsat the bar.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIKPbeSNyp0E4sd3o_rdg6WhwZuortMPtUAWOrY-ckLLtuSNYFBKin-bL_7buFKSCNQF5T69JtDCQub0fO3yOhBuEO_m8MBJON2icudBv rM4X5NyNsivsZ4HKqVT2O4LvBKBqEacxxyOZEjW2Wlwgabhzne dS6-ol0IW2TAZ9tEbkgC56pZ6YFJXCNjh0/w400-h219/Abergavenny%20front%20view.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIKPbeSNyp0E4sd3o_rdg6WhwZuortMPtUAWOrY-ckLLtuSNYFBKin-bL_7buFKSCNQF5T69JtDCQub0fO3yOhBuEO_m8MBJON2icudBv rM4X5NyNsivsZ4HKqVT2O4LvBKBqEacxxyOZEjW2Wlwgabhzne dS6-ol0IW2TAZ9tEbkgC56pZ6YFJXCNjh0/s3718/Abergavenny%20front%20view.jpg)
If anything,the place embodied middle England on a Saturday lunchtime, where the male customerscome to get away from their significant others. As for the girl, I got the impressionshe was waiting for someone, and was reading a book so as not to feel out of place.The Abergavenny is primarily a diners’ pub, although as witnessed, it doescater for drinkers in the area around the bar.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKcAHSS-Yqs6Qgy1Xc-k-GHn1QNHTpaP06kEyddPrLxpa1l2n0s58-Cr-z3x0Rj6g6bS3t-HNkgyiRIXJNAvQAN6Rh_NsSdAow06CsTZ4eYO1FvIntNjr5UPa sit2z7B5ZQxUcHTWZlEoQtL9VfgwERgrgXAw5whSNSY4KYGMqu UFgmydcvyiDqU66PPQ/w400-h225/Eridge%20view.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKcAHSS-Yqs6Qgy1Xc-k-GHn1QNHTpaP06kEyddPrLxpa1l2n0s58-Cr-z3x0Rj6g6bS3t-HNkgyiRIXJNAvQAN6Rh_NsSdAow06CsTZ4eYO1FvIntNjr5UPa sit2z7B5ZQxUcHTWZlEoQtL9VfgwERgrgXAw5whSNSY4KYGMqu UFgmydcvyiDqU66PPQ/s4000/Eridge%20view.jpg)The villages of Frant and Eridge, both lie beyond the southernfringes of Tunbridge Wells, with the former situated on the A276 road whichruns towards Eastbourne, and the latter lying on the A26, which leads down toLewes, the county town of East Sussex. The villages, and their pubs, areconnected by a short section of the Tunbridge Wells Circular Walk, and this wasthe rather muddy hike reported on in the post before last.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgttO3DCcBF_MT9HbynGCZd5jaspRikBgB3JK7ut0H6AK zEOxo4XDXNVHs3sUiQJe6mP8vnVzqV2OKOJFiyCHcGAXyEZLE4 AbJNrRz6pWitE419kplPo7ymeoyyyWrYCTg1RaGrzoGfARdrSA Zp3jX2hieQ2l_um_AkojgHJPSyW8DqSgq7QQXTtTaU3J8/w400-h221/Nevill%20ext%20close%20up.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgttO3DCcBF_MT9HbynGCZd5jaspRikBgB3JK7ut0H6AK zEOxo4XDXNVHs3sUiQJe6mP8vnVzqV2OKOJFiyCHcGAXyEZLE4 AbJNrRz6pWitE419kplPo7ymeoyyyWrYCTg1RaGrzoGfARdrSA Zp3jX2hieQ2l_um_AkojgHJPSyW8DqSgq7QQXTtTaU3J8/s3797/Nevill%20ext%20close%20up.jpg)
Returningto the Nevill Crest & Gun, this 500-year-old listed building was oncepart of the aforementioned Eridge Park Estate. Today the pub is part of theBrunning & Price (https://www.brunningandprice.co.uk/company/homepage/) chain and NOT, as stated incorrectly in my post ofSeptember 2020, a Whiting & Hammond establishment. For the record, the latterare a small, local chain of pubs, operated along similar lines to B&P,although it is quite easy to confuse the two. The Little Brown Jug, just ashort distance away from my workplace in Chiddingstone Causeway, is a Whiting& Hammond pub, as is the Chaser Inn, at Shipbourne, to the northof Tonbridge.
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The NevillCrest and Gun has an interior on two slightly different levels. There are plentyof old beams, as might be expected in a building of this age, whilst at the rearof the pub, a lighter garden room, overlooking the lawns, is popular in summer.In early February, the open log fires were of much more interest to me than thegarden, and they helped add to the atmosphere of this lovely old pub.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRsCeK2xFl7ousOspLrXx3K8KTTuK7yquES3BqPrp-l2CaOd6VK5KcC-VIljOu9apNU206HyEbAFlxsZs1DDteAla5uz30gPrNu96Y88oX 86Og9yBEi_NmfnahBZI9fl4xSZdPMtBVmOFV4EHt8XEQ0XWdPc NTPyTW5_snuNSIRQEH8QFUy0qcasTkPq4/w400-h225/IMG_20211108_115553.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRsCeK2xFl7ousOspLrXx3K8KTTuK7yquES3BqPrp-l2CaOd6VK5KcC-VIljOu9apNU206HyEbAFlxsZs1DDteAla5uz30gPrNu96Y88oX 86Og9yBEi_NmfnahBZI9fl4xSZdPMtBVmOFV4EHt8XEQ0XWdPc NTPyTW5_snuNSIRQEH8QFUy0qcasTkPq4/s4000/IMG_20211108_115553.jpg)
One feature I was glad about was the flooring of bare brickand exposed wooden boards, especially in view of my muddy walking boots. I tookthe precaution of placing those disposable over shoes (the type you see inclean room areas) on my footwear, but I still felt a little self-conscioussliding around with these bright-blue coverings over my hiking boots but wearingthem was a darn sight easier than having to completely remove my tightly lacedboots.
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As in other B&P pubs, a comprehensive food menu isavailable along with a selection of cask beers, some of them local. I startedoff with a pint of Harvey’s Best last Saturday, and it was stunningly good. Iscored it at 4.5 on Untappd. Also available was Volks ESB from 360° Brewery, aCoffee Stout collaboration beer between Vocation and Adnam’s, plus the “House”B&P Best Biter, brewed by St Austell. I risked a half of the Coffee Stoutand was glad it wasn’t a pint. There was nothing wrong with the beer, it just wasn’tto my taste.
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There was a nice Saturday afternoon atmosphere in theNevill, during the duration of my visit. A couple sitting at the bar, commentedon my choice of Coffee Stout, having tried it for themselves, but with theHarvey’s as good as it was, anything else would have paled into insignificance.The pub seemed dog friendly too, as might be expected in a country pub.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAqoM4uveRaFx5hq4BJUADSGYd-GwjEbqjY8wSXraqsaiPxv96w5Pz_OkCblOLAvzjnz2DRQxNBCT BS5WVHwKw8iRRpgA8MJ7UmdUQOsH3sJuUYzcJAeRp2wPEhNMgh S2FoEFQE13SYZ8ZcZEakN2ZWUjtpX_0237M-WKcjV-Nr0phxxtQVqJTa_aPzg/w400-h225/Hare%20staircase.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAqoM4uveRaFx5hq4BJUADSGYd-GwjEbqjY8wSXraqsaiPxv96w5Pz_OkCblOLAvzjnz2DRQxNBCT BS5WVHwKw8iRRpgA8MJ7UmdUQOsH3sJuUYzcJAeRp2wPEhNMgh S2FoEFQE13SYZ8ZcZEakN2ZWUjtpX_0237M-WKcjV-Nr0phxxtQVqJTa_aPzg/s3910/Hare%20staircase.jpg)
So, two Brunning & Price pubs in less than a week, (remembermy meal at the Hare with our Japanese visitors?) With its rustic feel and attractive rural setting,I found the Nevill far more to my taste, than the Hare. The latter was pleasantenough, even though it reminded me of a posh Edwardian family home, with itsimpressive mahogany staircase, and collection of comfortably furnished roomsleading off from the central vestibule. The numerous paintings completed the sceneif you’ll pardon the pun. So, all in all some interesting, and quite contrasting pubs,all contained within a relatively tight geographical area. What will my next pubvisit turn up?
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