AJ outside the Rose and Crown, April 2002

A good find and certainly a hard one to track down. Originally a farmhouse dating back to the 16th Century its now a thriving pub with a very warm welcome situated in the middle of Perry Wood a mile south of Selling and similar distance north of Shottenden.

Inside the pub there's beams with local hop bines as decoration, fresh flowers and a variet of corn-dolly work. Certainly a very comfortable pub to relax in with a great open fire in the winter. I had hope to have included a photo of this but was unfortunately burgled for a second time in January 1999 and had my camera stolen with the unfinished film within.

Beerwise they often sell one of my favourites, Goachers Mild, an award-winning malty ale (abv. 3.4%) brewed down the road in Maidstone. They also sell beers from Adnams, Harveys as well as a selection of guests.

Foodwise there's lots on offer every lunchtime and all except Sunday and Monday evenings. They're generous with their portions and the prices aren't too bad either. Certainly a good place to stop at for a good pint and meal. For the non-beer drinker there's local cider on offer, lots of malt whiskeys and good wine.

Out the back there's an award winning colourful garden with picnic tables and interestingly, an aviary!

The pub was voted the Kent Messenger Country Pub of the Year 1998.

Stitchwort in nearby woods, April 2002