EXPLORING KENT'S TRADITIONAL COUNTRY PUBS - CANTERBURY

Some pubs have more to offer than just a good pint. Group some of the best together in one of England's most beautiful counties and you have an excuse for the ultimate pub crawl and the perfect break. Jonathan Crouch reports

The British pub is one of those national institutions we tend to take for granted. Foreigners don't. Fancy hotels they can get at home. Ancient watering holes going back hundreds of years are unique to Britain.

The problem, as we all know, is in finding a good one. We all have our favourites close to home but on holiday or when further afield on business or a short motoring break, you simply have to take pot luck - don't you? Not necessarily, at least if your travels take you to Kent.



Perhaps they should. From the gentle, wooded hills of the Weald to the historic splendour of Canterbury, this forgotten country is full of undiscovered treasures. Here lie some of the country's most celebrated country houses and castles as well as some of the most attractive and unspoilt landscapes in Britain. Plus, it should be added, some of the very best pubs.



But here at least, there's no need to resort to pot luck before choosing one. Kent's longest (and Britain's oldest) brewer Shepherd Neame has bought up and developed some of the country's finest hostelries so that they're able not only to provide fine local food and ales but also excellent accommodation. We've seen this kind of thing before of course. Huge company moves in and redevelops characterful country pub into something more resembling a chain hotel. Except that this isn't like t...