The Hop Pocket - Shepway

Owing to the long term owner selling the freehold the pub is in new ownership and is now closed at present until they have completed their refurb. This pub has had a few ups and downs like most pubs these days but i am hopeful that once established will become the local asset again. Their website was down as a result of the change.

The management needs to improve their friendliness as it seems like they believe they are doing customers a favor by allowing them into the pub. I have visited twice in the past few weeks and the second time, I chose to leave and go to a more welcoming local pub instead.

We visited the Hop Pocket whilst staying at a nearby Airbnb as our host recommended it, and ended up going back twice over the weekend. The owners and barmaid are very friendly and welcoming, the landlady gave us recommendations for the local area, and the pub itself is very cosy and well decorated. The food exceeded expectations, we both had steak there on our first evening, which it was perfectly cooked, I also tried the lemon posset and it was delicious. The pub is also home to the landlady's two dogs Daisy and Poppy, (an added bonus given we're dog lovers) who greet you when you arrive and are very sweet and friendly. All in all, a lovely place for a meal or just a relaxing drink if you're in the area.

We booked an area at the hop pocket the night before our wedding so all our friends and family could get a good meal before or big day at Lower Hardres Hall. The food was excellent and the service was outstanding. We were even presented with a bottle of bubbles to congratulate us. I would highly recommend a visit if you’re in the area. Some of the best pub food I’ve ever had. We can’t wait to go back next time we’re in the area.

We stopped by this restaurant for a relaxing bottle of wine after walking over from a nearby village. As we were enjoying the wine, the owner pleasantly surprised us with a bowl of delicious roast potatoes that were leftover from lunch. It was a wonderful and completely unexpected gesture! It was a lovely surprise and a great treat after our walk.