Sussex Living June 2022

Page 143

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Seventh Heaven

AT THE EIGHT BELLS

Think of all the things that contribute to a traditional British pub, add welcoming landlords, put them amongst picture postcard scenery, and as Helen Stockton discovered, you have the Eight Bells in Hawkhurst

“We just want it to be a great all-round pub,” explained James, “so we are not pushing one aspect at the expense of others.” It certainly provides an allencompassing offer with a lounge bar, dining areas, beer garden and pagodas for covered outside dining. There is a TV for sport’s fans, a play area for young families, pétanque for anyone who wants to play, and seats overlooking the pond and the church beyond for a tranquil drink in the sunshine. They even have their own dog policy so that furry friends are made very

T

here are certain things associated with a great British pub: low beams, real fires, a wide range of beverages, good food locally sourced and a beer garden for long summer days. The Eight Bells in Hawkhurst has all of those things, plus a friendly young family at the helm, headed up by James and Annie Rogers. They are in their fourth year and have extensively improved the pub both inside and out.

Local food features strongly on the menu welcome but there are some areas that are dog free too. They cater for everyone. There is table service outside as well as in, and James and Annie are just as happy to provide a pint and a scotch egg as a threecourse meal. “We can get a couple celebrating a fortieth wedding anniversary on one table, someone toasting their degree success on another, with one of our locals dropping in whilst walking the dog,” said James. The Eight Bells is in a glorious part of the country. On the edge of Hawkhurst Moor and next to the church, it has been serving the local community for centuries. And that service

has been fully appreciated. “We’ve had fantastic support from the village over the last couple of years, everyone has been great,” revealed Annie. There is a firm regional connection in the food and drink too. Local food features strongly on the menu and

Biddenden wine, together with craft beers from local brewers are behind the bar. The fact that much of the meat comes from just up the road could be one reason why the Eight Bells won the 2021 Knorr award for Great British Roast of the year. A good roast is a pub staple and one which the Eight Bells clearly excels at. The seasonal menu features gastro pub classics like Romney Marsh lamb rump, Sussex rib-eye steak, slow-roast pork belly, liver and bacon, gnocchi with local wild garlic pesto and delicious home-made puddings. In fact, it would appear that the pub has got the balance just right, offering something for everyone. “When we moved out of London and were looking for a pub, this one ticked pretty much all of the boxes,” explained James. And it is easy to see why. The Eight Bells offers a great venue for anyone who loves the great British pub. l The Eight Bells The Moor, Hawkhurst, Kent TN18 4NX

01580 389039 bookings@theeight-bells.com www.theeight-bells.co.uk June 2022 | SUSSEX LIVING 143

June22 Eight Bells Advertorial.indd 143

25/05/2022 14:49


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook

Articles inside

Puzzle Page Solutions

4min
pages 172-173

It’s A Dog’s Life

2min
pages 162-164

Undercover Superheroes

4min
pages 151-154

Thank You

2min
pages 155-158

Visible, Valued & Supported

3min
pages 147-150

Money Matters

4min
pages 159-161

Seventh Heaven At The Eight Bells

11min
pages 143-146

Perfect Pulled Pork

1min
pages 141-142

Discovering The Queens Head

3min
pages 139-140

Spotlessly Clean With Sarah Lacey

2min
pages 137-138

Check In For A Check Up

2min
pages 123-124

Skin Expert

2min
pages 125-126

Plug In Baby

3min
pages 119-122

Cooksbridge to Hassocks Walk

6min
pages 113-118

The Who’s Who

12min
pages 127-136

Blooming Times

3min
pages 83-88

Water, Water, Everywhere

5min
pages 89-93

Let’s Visit The Old Rectory

3min
pages 80-82

Through The Garden Wall

8min
pages 69-74

Extraordinary Sussex

14min
pages 9-17

The Wonder Years

5min
pages 65-68

Thumbs Up For Summer

2min
pages 75-76

Round & Round The Garden

7min
pages 77-79

Don’t Rain On Our Paper Plates

9min
pages 37-43

A Perfect Thatch

9min
pages 18-36

Spotlight Events

11min
pages 56-64
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.