Pubs with Rooms: Kent [2023]

Pubs with rooms in Kent – or indeed anywhere in the UK – make great destinations for a short break, weekend away or longer holidays. Options range from an ancient coaching inn to boutique hotel style accommodation or a historic country pub. Some are dog friendly, and this south east England location is very close to Greater London. My sister lives between Rochester and Maidstone, and my brother-in-law works in central London. As do many of their neighbours.

Yet this county just down the road from the capital is known as the Garden of England – apples and pears and all that. If you’re old enough, think of The Darling Buds of May starring David Jason and Catherine Zeta Jones. Fertile land liberally sprinkled with farms and orchards and archetypal Kentish architecture. Then there’s Canterbury, and the castles like Leeds and Sissinghurst, and that seemingly endless coastline, with those rather famous white cliffs as well as some beautiful beaches.

Gastro pubs in Kent make a great place to stay. Top notch food, drinks on tap and comfy, stylish rooms – what’s not to love? The best part is perhaps that you merely have to stumble upstairs to bed. All for a lower price than you’d probably pay at your average country house hotel.

Pubs with rooms in Kent comparison table

Name	Location	Style	Room Rate
The Dog at Wingham	Wingham near Canterbury	Medieval pub	£££
The Woolpack Inn	Chilham near Canterbury	Traditional pub	£
The Duke William	Ickham near Canterbury	Smart pub	££
The Milk House	Sissinghurst	Revamped pub	££
The Barrow House	Egerton	Historic pub	££
The Three Chimneys	Biddenden near Sissinghurst	Olde-Worlde pub	££££

Six of the best pubs with rooms, Kent

The Dog at Wingham, near Canterbury

The Dog at Wingham is one of the most searched for pubs with accommodation in Kent. This award-winning, 13th century venue provides luxury pub accommodation in Kent, complete with four poster beds and original beams.

The Dog at Wingham Food and Drink

A range of menus is on offer at The Dog. Breakfast, snack, Sunday and vegan menus are available as well as the a la carte menu. Think top quality British food with global influences, all prepared and served with flair.

The Dog at Wingham Starters

Typical starters at The Dog include several tempting options for carnivores, such as seared pigeon breast or braised ox cheek. Fishy choices may include scallops, lobster pasta or cured mackerel. Meat free starters like wild mushrooms on sourdough or roasted squash soup are also offered.

The Dog at Wingham Mains

Move on to the main event with classic fish and chips, or opt for something more inventive, such as skate with shiitake mushrooms and tempura prawn or pan fried hake served with smoky mash. The sides served up here are particularly interesting – such as the hispi (sweetheart) cabbage served with venison, the blue cheese croquette that accompanies the veal or kohlrabi with the belly pork. (The latter is a brassica often referred to as German cabbage.) Meat free mains may include a curried cauliflower steak with a shallot bhaji, or a creamy black garlic risotto with pecorino romano.

The Dog at Wingham Desserts

As well as desserts, The Dog offers a couple of cheeseboard options to diners. If you do have a sweet tooth, pick between puddings like chocolate mousse with ice cream and candied kumquats, apple and raisin sponge with toffee sauce, pear and almond tart with sorbet or a coconut and cardamom rice pudding.

The Dog at Wingham Drinks

The Dog serves every drink under the sun. Or so it seems. Whitstable Bay ales, Amstel, Guinness, Peroni, Kopparberg and more are perfect for beer or cider fans. The fizz list includes a couple of Prosecco options, an English sparkler from a nearby vineyard and half a dozen fine French champagnes, including a rose and some vintage choices. There is also an extensive wine list, including three ports, and a gin bar menu.

The Dog at Wingham Rooms

The Dog supplies luxury pub accommodation in the Canterbury area. Each one of the eight guest rooms has been individually designed. Contemporary styling complements character features and the Hypnos beds are ultra comfortable. There is a four poster room for romantics, or a family suite for larger parties.

See up-to-date prices per night for The Dog, Canterbury here

The Woolpack Inn, Chilham

If you fancy a stay in a quintessential Kentish village, then you can’t go wrong with The Woolpack Inn, also near Canterbury. This settlement in the Garden of England even boasts its own castle. Locally sourced food, home cooked with care, is the ethos here, while the pub’s en-suite rooms are clean, bright, spacious and offer great value for money too.

The Woolpack Inn, Chilham Food and Drink

The Woolpack serves food all day. Breakfast is typically a full English, although lighter options include Eggs Florentine or Royale. Lunches comprise pub fare like sandwiches, filled jacket potatoes, salads or a hearty Ploughman’s. Mains tend to be British classics, cooked well and made with locally sourced ingredients.

The Woolpack Inn, Chilham Starters

To begin, diners may choose between starters like deep-fried whitebait, fresh from the sea; the soup of the day, baked camembert or chicken liver parfait.

The Woolpack Inn, Chilham Mains

The main menu complements the traditional English village setting. Options typically featured will include ham, egg and chips, beef, chicken or meatfree burgers, sausages and mash, mushroom risotto, steak or chicken breast. Ingredients like venison, halloumi, avocado, Monterey Jack or pine nuts add interest to the season’s selection.

The Woolpack Inn, Chilham Desserts

The Woolpack’s dessert menu reads like a showcase of favourite English puddings. From sticky toffee or chocolate brownie to an ice cream sundae, they’re all there. Overseas sweet treats are also present, however, in the form of desserts like cremè brulee or affogato, both served with amaretti biscuits. A cheese plate is also offered.

The Woolpack Inn, Chilham Drinks

There are plenty of wines, sparkling wines and spirits to choose from, Local beer producers like Faversham or Shepherd Neame, meanwhile, tend to be favoured by ale and lager drinkers.

The Woolpack Inn, Chilham Rooms

Fourteen rooms at the Woolpack range from a simple, bright single to four poster rooms complete with roll top bath. There is a great range of options, including twins, doubles and family rooms, as well as one single and those four posters. The latter are deluxe suites housed in a converted stable or the main inn. Each has a sofa or armchairs, and a corner or roll top bath.

Check availability and prices for the Woolpack Inn, Canterbury here

The Duke William, Ickham

This Kentish country pub, also near Canterbury, has the backing of renowned chef Mark Sargeant, making it one of the best pubs with rooms in Kent. The venue offers upmarket yet relaxed dining, and there are four bedrooms on site. The perfect place to sleep off the pub’s generous portions of posh pub food.

The Duke William Food and Drink

The menu at The Duke William is seasonal and typical of refined pub fare, with a local flavour – think potted shrimps from Dungeness or partridge from a nearby producer. Local ingredients are used to prepare the food served in this snug, convivial setting.

The Duke William Starters

As well as starters, the Duke offers a range of sharers and light snacks to get those digestive juices flowing. A couple of sharing boards feature cured meats or seafood served alongside sourdough, hummus and olives. Individual starter plates consist of dishes like whitebait or squid with garlic or sriracha mayonnaise, hummus with sourdough or loaded fries. The starters proper include soup, salad, burrata, prawn cocktail, scotch egg, or chicken liver parfait.

The Duke William Mains

There are several interesting burger and hot dog options at the Duke William, including chilli, buttermilk, smoked and cauliflower dishes. A couple of seafood options like beer battered fish or baked Rye Bay cod, pie of the day, steak or toad-in-the-hole may sit alongside a vegetable curry and traditional Ploughman’s to make up the main menu.

The Duke William Desserts

Each dessert on the Duke William’s menu is typical of British pub puddings, but some feature a subtle twist. The Eton Mess is made with blackberries and lemon meringue, for instance, while salted caramel and raspberry sorbet come with the brownie.

The Duke William Drinks

The well-stocked bar at the Duke William can cater for every whim. There are always three real ales offered, and the selection is constantly changing. Old and New World white, red, rose and sparkling wines also feature, alongside a comprehensive choice of spirits.

The Duke William Rooms

The Duke’s rooms are cosy, modern and monochrome in style, with welcome retro features like old school DAB radios, arty prints and wrought iron, king size bed frames. Each is named for a famous chef – Ramsay, Floyd, Stein and MPW (Marco Pierre White). All have Nespresso machines and a welcome pack with helpful local information.

View current offers and rates at The Duke William, Canterbury here

The Milk House, Sissinghurst

The Milk House is a country inn presented as a contemporary hotel and restaurant. This Kent pub is located in fruit growing country, so some rooms offer views over the surrounding orchards. Excellent food is simple yet elegant, and the eatery attracts lots of locals as well as those who travel from afar.

The Milk House Food and Drink

The menus at The Milk House are simple, yet sophisticated. A policy of local sourcing – from within 20 miles where possible – is in operation. Set menus are often offered during selected weekday evenings, too.

The Milk House Starters

Small plates can be shared at The Milk House, or diners can select their own starter if preferred. The former typically feature baby sausages, pork ‘twigs’, squid, warm nuts, filo pastry cigarillos or mini arancini. Larger starters might include a cheddar tart, game terrine, smoked salmon, scallops, vegan pate or soup of the day.

The Milk House Mains

Mains are seasonal and based on local produce. A winter menu, for example, may feature local sausages with spinach mash, homemade beef burger, marmalade ham, pigeon breast, rib-eye steak, baked plaice, fish and chips, saffron pasta, mushroom gnocchi and a seasonal salad. Giving vegetarians, meat lovers and seafood fans plenty of options.

The Milk House Desserts

The delightfully named ‘Gold Top’ cheese board for two even includes a glass of port apiece. Sweet options are inventive, including perhaps black cherry trifle, vegan fruit and nut parfait or espresso martini brownies. Creamy options like cheesecake or creme brulee are also featured, as are local ice creams and sorbets.

The Milk House Drinks

The Milk House is a village pub located in a hall house dating from the 1700s. There is a cosy, Tudor fireplace to relax by, as well as wooden beams throughout. The drinks list includes wine, ale, cider, fizz, lager and a range of spirits. There is, of course, a good choice of gins and mixers too.

The Milk House Rooms

Named for the former moniker of The Street on which it now stands – Mylk Street – The Milk House is decorated in soothing, light, creamy shades that call to mind a Kentish dairy. The four rooms have suitable names too – Byre, Churn, Buttery and Dairy. Other nods to the theme include milk pails used as flower vases and the marking of the owners’ quarters as ‘Udderly Private’. The Byre is the biggest, with a vaulted bathroom and orchard views. The Dairy has a modern four poster bed, while the Churn is a double with shower room. The Buttery has twin beds and an en-suite with shower and bath.

Compare current rates and room types for The Milk House here

The Barrow House, Egerton

This pub is located in Egerton, midway between Maidstone and Ashford – a more familiar part of Kent for me, as my sister lives near the former. We’ve also enjoyed various shopping trips to the outlet village at Ashford, which I’d recommend if you’re in the area. It’s a place you could also stop at on your way to or from a Eurostar trip.

Anyway, the pub has been given a modern, country feel, courtesy of its owners. The same couple own The Barrow House and The Milk House. This pub was a favourite haunt of US and Canadian servicemen during the Second World War, when it was known as The George. It was renamed for a barrow, of historical significance, in a field nearby. The building dates from the 16th and 17 centuries, and there are ship timbers beneath the white weatherboard exterior.

The Barrow House Food and Drink

The owners feel strongly about their food – therefore both burgers and bread, for example, are made here on the premises. Where possible, ingredients are sourced from within a 20-mile radius. Fresh fish is sustainable and meat free range.

The Barrow House Starters

Small plates and ‘bar grazing’ items are offered to whet the appetite alongside traditional starters. The small plates, grazing and starter menus include the likes of Asian style fish cakes, black pudding with fried egg, French onion soup, smoked salmon, barbecue chicken wings, ricotta and spinach tart, scallops, sausage roll bites and chargrilled breads with hummus.

The Barrow House Mains

The mains menu is helpfully divided into ‘Soil’, ‘Land’ and ‘Sea’, making it simple to narrow down your preferences at a glance. There is also a list of sandwiches and several burger options. Appealing options may include Blue Cheese Bon Bons, Smoked Haddock Bubble and Squeak and Lamb Cannon.

The Barrow House Desserts

It’s worth noting that desserts can be served with a great range of premium coffees, teas and liqueur coffees here – choose between ‘Extreme Earl’ and ‘Juicy Ginger’ teas, Macchiato and Latte or Tia Maria coffee, among others. With those, enjoy sweet delights like chocolate brioche bread and butter pudding, orange creme brulee with shortbread or a chocolate ice cream roll with black cherry compote on the side. There is also a cheese plate alternative.

The Barrow House Drinks

The Barrow House has long been serving drinks – including to those airmen from across the pond. Some of their signatures can still be seen in the bar today. Your choice of drink may include a cask ale from a Kentish brewery, a European lager or a British gin. There is also a range of wines from around the world.

The Barrow House Rooms

Bowl, Bell and Disk are the three en-suite rooms at The Barrow. All have large, comfy beds and are decorated with subtle, muted tones of blue and buff. Exposed beams can be found throughout, both in bedrooms and bathrooms.

Discover the latest prices for The Barrow House here

The Three Chimneys, Biddenden

Out in the rolling wealds of the Kent countryside, close to Sissinghurst Castle, is The Three Chimneys in Biddenden. Tunbridge Wells is about half an hour’s drive away. The free house offers luxury pub accommpdation in Kent. Itvoccupies a 15th century, part-timbered building, and has five bedrooms located in a barn on the grounds. This outbuilding was formerly used as a cob nuttery, so it’s packed with local character and history.

The Three Chimneys Food and Drink

There are various distinct dining areas at The Three Chimneys – a garden terrace for summer, a conservatory that’s flooded with light, or you can find a hidden corner of the pub in which to savour freshly prepared dishes. Owner Craig is passionate about fresh, local produce, so asparagus comes from local Froghole Farm while meats come from the Kent villages of Cranbrook, Marden and Staplehurst. Herbs come from the pub’s own kitchen garden and potatoes from Tenterden.

The Three Chimneys Starters

Typical starters at The Three Chimneys include a signature crab, avocado and prawn cocktail, pigeon breast with blackberries and parsnip puree, baked field mushroom with goats cheese and caramelised onions, smoked salmon and haddock fishcakes, chicken liver pate or a salad with beetroot, watercress and gorgonzola.

The Three Chimneys Mains

I’d certainly be tempted to turn veggie for the day by the thought of risotto balls made with spinach and sage and served with butternut puree. Appealing fishy mains include seared salmon fillet with garlic potatoes and a chorizo dressing, while meat-based dishes include a venison loin with fondant potatoes plus tarragon and tomato jus.

The Three Chimneys Desserts

Most pubs in Kent and indeed in England will offer sticky toffee pudding – but the one served here, with a spicy, buttery sauce, is outstanding. As are all the desserts – English classics, sometimes served with inventive accompaniments.

The Three Chimneys Drinks

This pub is a free house, which means they are not tied to or governed by any brewery. The result is that The Three Chimneys team are free to offer guests whichever local, national and international beers, ciders, wines and spirits they deem to be the best, resulting in an interesting and varied selection.

The Three Chimneys Rooms

Accommodation at The Three Chimneys is housed in the former cob nuttery in the grounds. As a result, all three rooms have direct access, via French windows, to a secluded garden with views over the fields beyond. They are named for countryside wildlife – Pheasant, Stag and Partridge. Generous rooms are furnished with King sized beds, seating area and have spacious bathrooms with power showers and twin washbasins. As the room names suggest, they are decorated in a hunting lodge style – contemporary fused with country neutrals with deep, rich accents.

Find out more about rooms at The Three Chimneys here

Which of the best pubs with rooms in Kent will you pick?

Whether you want to combine your trip to Kent with exploring the attractive city of Canterbury, would rather explore the rolling countryside or venture to the coast for the day, Kent gastropubs are among the best country pubs in Kent offering easy access to all the county’s highlights.

Polly x

Why not check out my other guides:

• Pubs with rooms, New Forest
• Dorset gastropubs with rooms
• Gastropubs with rooms in Devon
• Lake District pubs with rooms
• Pubs with rooms in Northumberland

Note –  This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy via these, I may earn a small fee. This has absolutely no effect on the price you pay. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.