Lots of changes on the Tonbridge & Tunbridge Wells pub scene

There are a lot of changes taking place on the local pub front, at the moment, and many of them seem to be happening at the same time. The type of changes I am referring to mainly concern changes of ownership, but this seems to coincide with a change of name for the licensed premises affected as well. Tonbridge has got off lightly, compared with neighbouring Tunbridge Wells, so let’s get the town where I reside, out of the way first.

The Somerhill, prominently sited on the junction with Priory Street, and Pembury Road, is a pub with a rather chequered history. When I first came to Tonbridge it was a rather basic, working man's local, called the Somerhill Arms. Somerhill is the name of the family seat of the D-Avidor Goldsmid family - the local big-wigs, cum-Lords of the Manor. The property has an interesting history, which you can read about here, but for the time being it is worth noting that after being bought by a member of the Goldsmid family in 1849, it was substantially enlarged, making it the second largest house in Kent, after Knole House, Sevenoaks.

Returning to the Somerhill pub, after a succession of different licensees, the pub was bought in the early 1990's, the Hooden Horse Group. The latter were a small independent pub chain, were based in Ashford. Following the purchase some major alterations took place: the ceilings were lowered, the bars were knocked through into one, and the serving area was moved over to the back wall of the pub. There were plenty of bare boards and beams, plus candles for lighting, but the whole thing wasn't really in keeping with what was a typical, late-Victorian building. Nevertheless, the Wonderful Hooden Horse, as the pub was renamed, made a point of majoring on traditional draught beer. Hop Back Summer Lightning was one of the regular ales, alongside Old Hookey from Hook Norton.

Despite the place being something of an architectural fake, I rather liked the pub especially as it was only 10 minutes’ walk away from Bailey Towers. Unfortunately, in common with other similar fads, the Hooden Horse chain ran into difficulties, and the pub became increasingly rundown. Under new ownership, the pub interior reverted to something resembling its original layout, the with the false ceiling removed and the bar counter restored to more or less its original position.  Most importantly, the pub's name reverted to something like its original, but instead of the Somerhill Arms it became just the Somerhill.

The place did really well for a number of years, proving particularly popular with local builders and fellow tradesmen.  Beer wise the pub was nothing special, with Greene King IPA as the token cask ale. However, when the first of several economic slumps started affecting the construction industry the Somerhill's trade really began to suffer. With just one solitary cask ale, and a rather rough and ready clientele, the pub lost any appeal it might once have had; certainly, as far as I was concerned, and despite several brave attempts by a succession of wannabe licensees, shut up shop, earlier this year.

I can’t say exactly when this occurred, despite driving past it three days a week on my journey home from work, but a chance remark from a friend who lives almost opposite the pub, piqued my interest. My friend had heard that a licensee from the St John’s area of Tunbridge Wells, was interested in the place, and even had plans for it that would certainly be of interest to pub lovers like me. Despite these rumours, the Somerhill remained shuttered, its doors and windows covered with that awful looking tin-sheeting, used by property owners to secure a building, and prevent undesirables gaining access to an empty building.

Imagine my surprise when, when driving past last Monday evening, I noticed the tin-sheeting had been removed, and there were lights on inside the building. A member of the local CAMRA WhatsApp group, noticed this development too, and commented that the windows had been white washed over, as developers and decorators often do when they don’t want people peering through, and seeing  what they are up to. I took a walk past the place, on Friday afternoon, and saw several builder’s vans parked outside, along with a skip. There was also a notice advising that the property was under new ownership, and requesting that people should not block access to the site whilst the refurbishment works take place. Of special interest to the local school kids, was a substantial pile of chairs, stools, sofas and light fittings, all laid out, unceremoniously, outside on the forecourt with a notice that all items were free, and that all must go, too.  

I wasn’t tempted, as Mrs PBT’s and I are in the process of getting shot of unwanted furniture and other clutter, and besides many of these items looked as though they’d seen better days, but I took this clear-out as a positive sign that the Somerhill’s fortunes might be on the verge of changing for the better. What I would really like to see are the reports that my friend heard about the pub, coming to fruition, as nothing would be better in my book than to have a decent pub, within easy walking distance of home. We shall have to wait and see, but a such a friendly and welcoming local, stocking an interesting selection of decent beers, is the stuff of dreams, especially as it would save a lengthy walk into the centre of Tonbridge.

Now, what about the Tunbridge Wells pubs, I mentioned earlier? The first development concerns the Bedford, a well-known and quite prominent Greene King pub close to Tunbridge Wells station. The Bedford closed its doors for a substantial refurbishment on 14^th September, and reopened just a few days ago, on 15^th October. According to the pub website, "The Bedford is back, refreshed and ready to pour you something special. Marlowe’s burgers, live music, live sports, quiz nights, karaoke, and the return of our late-night DJ basement! A proper good night out!"  You probably get the picture, and the initial reports from WK CAMRA are mixed, with the number of hand-pumps reduced to three (there were six, at one time). Still, it’s early days at the moment, and we shall have to see how things pan out.

Next up on the list, is the Ragged Trousers, another well-known pub that is an essential stop on any visit to the Pantiles. The pub has been purchased by the owners of the Hopbine at Petteridge. The Hopbine is an attractive small, pub in the tiny hamlet of Petteridge, close to Paddock Wood.  

When I first knew the pub, it belonged to the late, and much-lamented King & Barnes Brewery, who were based in the West Sussex town of Horsham. King & Barnes closed in 2001, following a decision by some members of the owning King family to cash in their chips. The brewery and its 50+ pubs were sold to Dorset brewers, Hall & Woodhouse. The sale included the Hopbine, and although Badger beers were available at the Hopbine for a few years, it made little commercial sense sending a dray all the way from Blandford Forum to West Kent. The pub was sold off, and is now a free-house.

I’ve visited the Hopbine, quite a few times during recent years – probably more times than the Ragged Trousers, and have to say that the Ragged seems a strange acquisition for a rural pub like the Hopbine to be making. I’m not sure of the details yet, although despite my misgivings, I’m sure the new owners know what they are doing. It was originally reported that the Pantiles outlet would be renamed as the "New Ragged", but that idea seems to have been dropped. The refurbishment work, and other alterations also appear to have been completed. .

Next on the list are two Tunbridge Wells pubs that I don’t know particularly well; the Pantiles Tap and Alkins Ale House. The Pantiles Tap is located in the cellar of what is reputed to be the oldest hotel in Tunbridge Wells. Although long closed, the underground setting of the former “Gloster Tavern" (note the old spelling), provides an atmospheric backdrop for the Pantiles Tap, which is partly underground. Its stripped-back, bare-brick walls, tiled floors and old original fireplaces, is evidence of the building’s age, and reminds me of a couple of pubs in Prague. The “Tap” is basically a basement bar and, unfortunately for real ale lovers, is a craft keg only establishment. This wasn’t the case when the pub first opened its doors, but due to restraints placed on this historic building, combined with its location in a conservation area, meant that outside cooling equipment, such as condensers and heat exchangers, are a big “no-no”.

Opened in late in November 2014 by Geoff Wentworth and his partner Jo, the “Tap” was a welcome addition to the local beer scene. Cask was trialled for a while, but difficulties in keeping the beer cool, especially during the summer months, led to the pub becoming a “keg only” establishment. Beers from New Zealand, Europe and the USA were usually to be found, and with its legendary “Great Wall of Cider” offering cider and perry from a wide range of producers, the Tap received a number of awards for Cider Pub of the Year.

Now the news is that Geoff and Jo are moving on, and the Tap will close at the end of the October. This follows its acquisition by the Cardiff-based, Mad Dog Brewery Co Ltd. Mad Dog have another taproom in Brighton, so I suppose this move makes sense, but the brewery itself is an unknown quality, as far as I am concerned. A complete refit and makeover is planned for Tunbridge Wells, and when the place finally reopens, it will be known as the Tunbridge Wells Taproom.  

The final, Royal Tunbridge Wells outlet, undergoing change, albeit it a relatively minor one, is the Allkin Tap & Bottle, situated at the far end of Calverley Road. The people behind this establishment are Allkin Brewery, who are based in Eridge, just a few miles across the border into Sussex. Allkin Brewing started life as “Good Things Brewing” back in 2018. The brewery was housed in an attractive 17^th Century barn, next door to the family home, and by generating their own electricity, drawing up their own bore hole water, established itself as the most sustainable brewery in the UK. Things were working out fine, and the company even managed to survive lock-down, until on Sunday 25^th July 2021, the brewery building was tragically struck by lightning and burnt to the ground.

A period of crowdfunding then followed, and the firm resurfaced as Allkin Brewing Company. Looking for a place to showcase their beers, Allkin acquired a former shop unit at the far end of Calverley Road, Tunbridge Wells, which they opened as the Allkin Tap & Bottle.  The interior is long and slim with bench and stool seating, looking towards the bar counter and serving area, situated to the right of the building. The Tap has a bright and airy feel and is a place where customers can relax and enjoy a choice of 15 keg lines serves up a mix of beers and ciders from approved brewers, based throughout the UK. Cask appears to have been dropped, although it was available a couple of years ago, which was the last time I called in.  

The change here relates to Allkin beers being contract brewed at Hasting’s-based Brewing Brothers. I’m presuming that this move is only temporary, as according to their website, Allkin are building what they claim will be the UK’s most sustainable brewery, at their Oakridge farm, near Eridge. Watch this space!