Venturing off the beaten track and down into Kent always brings with it a certain joy.
My smile was only broadened by an amusingly named village (come on, it is) and a boozer opposite a very attractive oast house.
The pub itself, the Bull’s Head, is not especially good looking although an old Courage sign/fresco above the door does add charm.
I’m led to believe the Bull’s Head has had few different incarnations over the past 30-odd years but what I visited this week was a very fine, and fairly typical, village pub.
It has an enviable layout: a long bar area, a separate pool table, a distinct and fetching restaurant area, a decent garden and another separate area with games machines and a dartboard in enough space that you’re unlikely to pin a local.
As such, the Bull’s Head can be all things to all drinkers. Which is nice.
Taking a seat in the central bar section, I was grateful for the open fire and amused by the series of bull-themed cartoons above the bar which were nicely the right side of the line when it comes to tongue-in-cheek versus tacky.
Now, I’m not sure I enjoyed the banging tunes of a weekday lunchtime – they were more reminiscent of the gym – but perhaps that is what it takes to keep the bar staff awake on a quiet day shift.
With posters dotted around advertising a long list of events and one for St Patrick’s Day promising ‘the best Craic in the borough’ it is clear that the Bull’s Head can get livelier.
As a dynamic duo of apparent regulars sat Pete and Dud-style at one end of the bar, the sparky barmaid allowed me time to browse very tempting menus.
My choice was a humble sandwich with chips but it is testament to a clearly very able chef that what came out was a memorable meal, for all the right reasons.
Nobody would claim the Bull’s Head is flawless but people of Pratt’s Bottom, consider yourselves lucky. It seems to me this is what a decent village pub should be.
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The Bull’s Head, Pratts Bottom
How it rated:
Décor *** Open fire a plus, great layout
Atmosphere **** Comfortable and I imagine it gets lively
Price *** Not excessive
Staff **** Friendly, attentive
Food ***** Excellent
Drink *** Perfectly decent
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