I’ve said it before (probably several times), and I’ll say
it again, but in the quest for that
perfect pint in the perfect pub, it’s often all too easy to overlook what is
right in front of you. I realised this today when I decided to get my bike out
and go for a ride.
On a whim, I decided to make for the Fleur de Lis pub, which
is situated in the village of Leigh,
just a few miles to the west of Tonbridge. I drive past the Fleur everyday, on
my way home from work, and until I altered my route into work in the morning, I used to drive
past it on the way in as well.
It is an attractive mid 19th Century building
sited a short distance from the village centre, on the junction of the road
which leads down to the station. Like much of Leigh the Fleur is built in a
particular style, and this is due to the influence of two wealthy families who
constructed many of the distinctive buildings present today. The stately pile of Hall Place, is the
best known, but there are others which include the East and Old Lodges, Forge
Square and the
School Master's House.
The Fleur De Lis was originally built as cottages in 1855,
by Thomas Baily; one of the wealthy benefactors referred to above. It was
bought by, Bartrum and Company, in 1870, who were a local brewery, based in
Tonbridge. When I first became acquainted with the area, the Fleur was a
Courage pub, but today it is owned by Greene King. Since the closure of the Bat
& Ball, several years ago, the Fleur De Lis is now the only pub in Leigh
itself; although the Plough Inn is located to the east of the village in Powder
Mill Lane.
Have bike, will travel |
I can’t honestly remember the last time I had set foot in the Fleur, although I
was obviously aware that it had undergone some substantial renovations and
alterations several years ago. It was a conversation with one of my son’s
friends, in Fuggles the other week, which persuaded me that a visit was long
overdue. As I said earlier, deciding to go for a bike ride provided the perfect excuse for a visit, especially as
much of the route would be off road.
We are fortunate in Tonbridge to have a large expanse of
public space behind the town, know as the Sports-ground. There is also a cycle
route running around the periphery, which leads to Hayesden
Country Park;
another open space. My route from home, took me along the River Medway and
around the Sports-ground, before turning off along a tarmac path which leads to
Leigh Powder Mills. From there, it is a relatively quiet stretch by country
road, under the A21 flyover, and then into Leigh.
I stopped for a short while at the village green, pausing to
take in the quintessentially English view across the cricket pitch, to the
Parish Church of St Mary’s, which is purported to occupy the highest point in
the village, before continuing past the school and Post Office to the Fleur de Lis.
The pub had been altered since my last visit. The two bar
layout had been opened out into two distinct areas, one offering dining around
an open fire while the other smaller bar (originally the Public Bar), is more
for drinking and socialising. I grabbed one of the comfy armchairs by the
window, having first ordered myself a beer.
I opted for a pint of Taylor’s
Landlord; good at 3.0 NBSS, but expensive at £4.40. I overheard the landlord
talking to one of the regulars sitting at the bar. The former mentioned that
Larkin’s would be the next beer on, which pleased the customer as he said the
local beer would be cheaper. “No,” said the landlord, who went on to explain he
has to buy all his guest ales through Greene King, even though Larkin’s are
situated just a few miles up the road!
Also on at the bar, were Pearl of Kent from Whitstable Brewery
and Grasshopper from Westerham, alongside the ubiquitous GK IPA. The pub was
busy with diners, which included several family groups, but like me there were
a few people just relaxing and enjoying a drink.
It was all very pleasant, but I wasn’t tempted to stay for
another. Rain had been forecast for later in the afternoon, and it had been
raining slightly in the wind during my outward journey. Not only didn’t I wish
to get wet, but I also had a few items of shopping to pick up in Tonbridge,
before the shops shut at 4pm.
I cycled back following pretty much the same route, managing by and large to avoid the rain, and arriving home shortly before 4pm. According to the app on my phone I had
cycled a distance of 8.5 miles and burned off 851 calories. I’m not sure about
the latter, but I certainly knew that I’d cycled those miles!
3 comments:
A good way to enjoy the local scenery for sure. And 8.5 miles is good exercise (even though Martin might think it's not enough - heh). My wife and I go for roughly a 3 mile walk thru the nearby woods, but sadly there are no pubs in between.
"he has to buy all his guest ales through Greene King, even though Larkin’s are situated just a few miles up the road!"
A tad annoying indeed! We've never had tied pubs over here in Canada (but then we don't have a lot of "proper" pubs either). The closest we have to that is the fast food restaurants either have Coke or Pepsi, but not both (if memory serves; don't frequent those a lot anymore). :)
Cheers
Russ(tovich)
If you ever get into Sevenoaks, have a pint for me. My dear old grandad used to live on Crampton's Road near Bat and Ball station.
Russ, I certainly will have a pint for both you and your grandad, the next time I am in Sevenoaks. It won’t be in the Bat & Ball part of town though, as all the pubs there are unfortunately long gone. However, there are still several good boozers in the heart of Sevenoaks, and I do meet up with friends there from time to time.
ps. I feel that the amount of exercise I do, whilst nowhere near Martin’s league, is sufficient for my current lifestyle/work/home commitments etc.
A pint anywhere in Sevenoaks will do. :)
Sad to hear none left in the Bat and Ball area. I do recall we used to go to the Bullfinch and The Chequers, both of which are still there according to Google Maps (but that's not a hint to go to one of those places). :)
As to exercise, quite agree!
Cheers
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