Winter is the time to wrap up well, stretch those legs and head to a cosy pub with a warming fire.
We’ve picked five of our favourites which promise a warm welcome - whatever the weather - and offer one of our Pub Walks, which start and finish at the each of the inviting sites.
The White Horse, Boughton-under-Blean, near Faversham
Dating back to the 15th century, the former coaching inn in a tranquil village has recently been lovingly restored to offer 13 bespoke bedrooms, alongside an innovative menu combining culinary flavours from across the world, bar and restaurant with a fireplace to boot.
Our Pub Walk linked to the site is five miles, so you are advised to allow two hours. The moderate walk will take you over gravel tracks and agricultural fields, so walking boots are recommended. Why not take a four-legged friend with you as the White Horse also welcomes dogs in its beautiful bar?
To download the walk map go to https://snea.me/white-horse-pub-walk and to find out more about what the White Horse has on offer visit: https://thewhitehorseboughton.com
The Carpenters Arms, Eastling, near Faversham
A quintessential country pub, the 14th century building comes packed with oak beams and inglenook fireplaces to warm you and yours while you wait for your Shepherd Neame ales and lagers, or your super Sunday roast with locally-sourced meat.
There’s a bracing four-mile circular walk, starting and finishing at the pub, which is in the heart of the beautiful Kent Downs. Allow around an hour and a half for the walk across across fields, along woodland paths and down country lanes.
To download the map go to https://snea.me/carpenters-arms-pub-walk and to find out what’s on offer at the pub visit: https://www.carpenterseastling.co.uk/
The Three Mariners, Oare, near Faversham
Nestled by the winding creek, a stone’s throw from a Kent Wildlife Trust nature reserve, this perfect pub offers crackling fires under oak beams, and is dog friendly, child friendly – in fact, just friendly, full stop!
The Pub Walk here offers two routes, a three-mile walk, which takes one and a half hours and a five-mile walk, which takes just over two hours. Heading from The Three Mariners and back, the easy outing will require walking boots.
To download the Pub Walk map go to https://snea.me/three-mariners-pub-walk and to find out what the pub has to offer you, visit https://thethreemarinersoare.co.uk/
The Boathouse, Yalding and the Bush, Blackbird and Thrush, East Peckham
Enjoy riverside views alongside your drinking and dining experience in the Kentish village of Yalding with The Boathouse, or enjoy your beer at peak condition and wholesome country pub food at the Bush, Blackbird and Thrush.
The Pub Walk between these two popular pubs can start at either venue and is a six-mile saunter taking around two and a half hours. It will take you along the banks of the River Medway and through farmland for the perfect meander at this time of the year.
To download the walk map go to https://snea.me/boathouse-pub-walk and to see what the pubs have on the menu for you, go to https://www.boathouseyalding.co.uk/ and https://www.bushblackbirdandthrush.co.uk/
The Bell Hotel and the Market Inn, Sandwich
You get the best of both worlds in Sandwich where you can pop in to our family-friendly Market Inn, which has a prime spot on the market square, serving homemade hearty food, or stop off at Edwardian favourite The Bell Hotel, which has views overlooking the River Stour, large fireplaces, and a vibrant bar and dining area.
Our Pub Walk between the two town sites is four and three quarter miles long and takes around two hours, though shouldn’t be too taxing. There are roadways, as well as grassy and sandy tracks along the way as you head to your homely destination.
To download the walk map go to https://snea.me/bell-inn-pub-walk and to see what both pubs have to offer, visit https://www.marketinnsandwich.co.uk/ and https://www.bellhotelsandwich.co.uk/