It doesn’t matter whether you’re a Man of Kent or a Kentish Man, surely we’d all agree Sevenoaks has to be the poshest part of Kent?

So, how does the self-proclaimed cutest commuter town really feel about having a Spoons nestling among its trendy wine bars and brasseries?

Well, for a start it’s positioned right at the lower end of the High Street. The Sennockian is much like many Wetherspoons but, particularly given I was visiting on a Saturday evening, didn’t seem as noisy or full-on as many others.

It was busy but the bar staff were quick to react and Aidan, who served me, was a really decent fellow, he could not have been more attentive and helpful. I even took his recommendation and went for a pint of Oakham Inferno Blond Ale at 4%. He assured me I wouldn’t get a fresher pint anywhere as he’d only put it on half an hour ago.

There are screens showing all the latest sport snippets as you’d expect and a whole bank of blinking electronic fruit machines. The vast majority of tables were taken, but Mrs SD and I were accompanied by an apprentice SD so the three of us found a perch on a high table right at the front of the pub in front of some beautiful large glass windows.

I assume they open these up in the summer, though they do look straight out onto the main road.

The clock hadn’t even struck six and yet there were already two staff dressed head to toe in black manning the door. Actually, manning and womanning the door as Claire was one half of the team.

When I asked why they were needed she explained there had been a big funeral just up the road and they’d been on duty all day as a precaution.

There’s nothing worse than heavy-handed door staff, but there’s nothing better than good ones, and these two were absolutely top notch. They not only held the door open and welcomed everyone, they were chatty and pleasant.

It was a bit of trek to the gents right at the back of the pub but when you get there it’s worth it – they’re the best decorated room in the house, I particularly appreciated the curved wall. Clean, tidy and fresh smelling, no complaints from me.

Reporting back from the ladies, Mrs SD was even able to boast a sofa – however, she did face a huge flight of stairs and when she did get there only two cubicles had toilet paper!

Signs remind you there is no drinking or smoking allowed outside the front of the pub, presumably to keep neighbours happy, but there’s a reasonable outside area at the back for smokers.

We’d already eaten so I can’t comment on the food, but like any other Spoons it was coming out promptly and everyone who’d ordered seemed very happy with their meals.

I know some folk have a bit of a snobby attitude to Wetherspoon pubs but I rate them. This wasn’t the best I’ve visited but it was a lot nearer the top of the list than the bottom.

Good food and drink at very decent prices – to be fair, they all offer good value so if the staff are friendly and helpful you’ve got a real winner.

And, who knows, perhaps the Sennockian’s prices might even encourage some of the surrounding pubs to drop their prices to compete – we can all dream!

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