Awarded Pub of the Year 2014, by the Bromley section of CAMRA, and included in the good beer guides for 8 years, it is an independant family run 16th century traditional country pub in the centre of Downe Village, a short drive or bus journey from Orpington or Bromley. The public bar (Darwin Bar, yes Charles Darwin himself drank here) has three roaring log fires (in the winter), along with leather chesterfields, a piano and a darts board. It also has three small restaurants as well as a small snug bar for quiet, more intimate drinks. For the summer, it has a large walled patio / garden area perfect for relaxing after those country rambles, Bar Snacks, full Menu and daily specials available made from localy sourced produce.
Customers generally enjoyed the food, noting it was fresh and tasty, although there were some complaints about specific items being cold or not prepared correctly.
Customer Service
Service quality was inconsistent; while some staff were praised for being friendly and helpful, others were reported as rude or indifferent.
Cleanliness
The restaurant was frequently described as clean, with positive remarks about the overall hygiene and condition of the facility.
Coupon Issues
Several customers expressed frustration over the refusal to accept coupons and issues with online orders, leading to dissatisfaction.
Operational Hours
There were complaints about unclear operational hours and being turned away before closing time.