Find local news in Kent

Home   Secret Drinker   Article

Secret Drinker reviews the Wagon & Horses pub at Faversham Road, Charing, near Ashford

01:00, 09 February 2024

updated: 10:38, 19 February 2024

Incredibly open plan - that was my first impression of the Wagon & Horses at Charing, along with a feeling there were plenty of staff buzzing around behind the large U-shaped bar.

In fact, I reckon if you included the kitchen staff at this family-run free house then the staff outnumbered the punters.

The front of The Wagon & Horses in Charing is not too far away from a fairly fast road. Sensibly, they’ve taken the decision not to use the front door.
The front of The Wagon & Horses in Charing is not too far away from a fairly fast road. Sensibly, they’ve taken the decision not to use the front door.

Normally this would be a red flag and have me questioning whether this sort of imbalance could make financial sense in the long run.

However, two things put me at ease – first, family-run places seem to be able to carry more staff efficiently and, second, the barmaid reckons prior to us walking in it had been a busy lunchtime session.

It was certainly quieter now and there was no problem finding a table, although I think there’d be enough tables available even if a couple of coaches pulled into the car park.

There’s a sofa and armchair at the far end of the pub but the whole place is open plan so there is no separate lounge
There’s a sofa and armchair at the far end of the pub but the whole place is open plan so there is no separate lounge
Mrs SD reckons her nan had a horse and cart just like the one on the mantelpiece in her front room. The log burner wasn’t lit but the pub was plenty warm enough.
Mrs SD reckons her nan had a horse and cart just like the one on the mantelpiece in her front room. The log burner wasn’t lit but the pub was plenty warm enough.

There were three pumps I was interested in – Harvey’s Sussex Best, Sharp’s Atlantic and Dark Star’s Hophead. The barmaid offered me a taste test and enquired whether I would also be interested in a Beavertown Neck Oil. I explained the price normally rules this one out but she said it’s not too bad at £6 a pint. Though she did say her hubby is also partial to a Neck Oil and up in town has paid anything up to £8.20.

Having sampled the three I chose a Hophead, at under a fiver, asked for menus and took a seat by the front door.

Not that anyone would be coming in this way as it’s blocked up and, judging by the speed of the traffic on the A252 outside, this is a very sensible precaution. But, even with it locked up, you can still hear, and even feel, speeding motors as they pass.

There a preoccupation with jazzily designed pint glass these days and Dark Star is no exception. Mrs SD is happy to keep her glasses uncluttered.
There a preoccupation with jazzily designed pint glass these days and Dark Star is no exception. Mrs SD is happy to keep her glasses uncluttered.
This is the main door, which leads into a small entrance hall, before you are released into the huge open-plan pub with a large U-shaped bar
This is the main door, which leads into a small entrance hall, before you are released into the huge open-plan pub with a large U-shaped bar

I always think it’s a good sign when a pub is confident enough to keep the kitchen door wedged open and from where we were sitting I could see all the goings-on. Although until our order for two baguettes went through there was no action, other than the chef drinking from a bucket-sized yellow mug with the words ‘Massive Legend’ on it.

There are plenty of traditional knick-knacks dotted about, including horse brasses and several things Mrs SD’s nan used to have in her front room.

There is no pool table, dartboard, jukebox or fruit machine so you’ll need to make your own entertainment.

Established in 1989, Roy, June and Lauren all have their names over the door. In case you’re in any doubt, it’s a family-run pub.
Established in 1989, Roy, June and Lauren all have their names over the door. In case you’re in any doubt, it’s a family-run pub.
I was faced with a choice of three pumps and, following a swift taste test, opted for Hophead form Dark Star
I was faced with a choice of three pumps and, following a swift taste test, opted for Hophead form Dark Star
Proving the point that dogs are very welcome here, this is Reggie, who is, I’m reliably informed a Clumber Spaniel (which I’m also told is the most popular of all the Spaniels)
Proving the point that dogs are very welcome here, this is Reggie, who is, I’m reliably informed a Clumber Spaniel (which I’m also told is the most popular of all the Spaniels)

There wasn’t any background music playing either, although the kitchen staff had got their tunes cranked up, so if you listened carefully you’d be able to recognise every other one.

The food arrived in a timely fashion and the baguettes were served warm with a small side salad and a handful of crisps. There was plenty of filling and the bread was fresh – we were only seeking pub grub, and that’s exactly what we got.

Once we’d finished eating I took a wander around and discovered a huge pub garden with another mass of tables and chairs. I can imagine this being packed in warmer weather and there’s also a large open field area.

If you look carefully you might be able to spot a football in front of the trunk of one of these large fir trees. Hopefully a sign the pub is happy to let kids kick a ball around in this field.
If you look carefully you might be able to spot a football in front of the trunk of one of these large fir trees. Hopefully a sign the pub is happy to let kids kick a ball around in this field.
There is a large covered seating area directly at the back of pub and, judging by the number of stacked chairs and tables, they’re used to the garden being busy in better weather
There is a large covered seating area directly at the back of pub and, judging by the number of stacked chairs and tables, they’re used to the garden being busy in better weather

Back inside, I visited the gents and was pleased to find the superbly tiled toilet was impeccably clean and fresh. Generally uncluttered, there were however two frames on the wall hanging conveniently at eye level above the urinals. Not everyone will be a fan of ‘saucy’ postcards these days but I think they’re a bit of fun.

Open plan and massive, both inside and out, there is plenty of room and I suspect this is a favoured pub for dog walkers. To be fair, it was quiet when we were in but, even with upbeat friendly staff, I couldn’t help feeling it was a little lacking on atmosphere.

At times there were five or six folk behind the bar at any one time and whilst they were quick to serve customers, they were also taking time to enjoy each other’s company – it felt like a close tight-knit team.

I’m not claiming to be a gardener extraordinaire but I did spot there were two olive trees on either side of the entrance to this patio and, out of shot, a fig tree against the wall
I’m not claiming to be a gardener extraordinaire but I did spot there were two olive trees on either side of the entrance to this patio and, out of shot, a fig tree against the wall
The lower two thirds of the gents was tastefully tiled and the toilets were spotlessly clean and fresh. Positioned at head height there were two sets of saucy postcards to read while you perform.
The lower two thirds of the gents was tastefully tiled and the toilets were spotlessly clean and fresh. Positioned at head height there were two sets of saucy postcards to read while you perform.

WAGON & HORSES, FAVERSHAM ROAD, CHARING, ASHFORD TN27 0NR

Decor: It’s a little bit like your nan’s old front room, as demonstrated by the horse brasses and a variety of other decorations, but it’s also very open plan which doesn’t create too much atmosphere. **

Drink: The Sharp’s Atlantic was okay and the Harvey’s Sussex Best was a good example but the Hophead was the best of a decent selection. Mrs SD rated the wine as above average. ***

Food: The full menu was available but we were only looking for pub grub-style sarnies and chose two baguettes. They were served warm, with plenty of filling but something about the side salad and crisps reminded me of a time gone by. ***

Price: The baguettes were £16 the pair, a pint of Hophead was £4.80 and a large Sauvignon Blanc was £7. If you fancied a Neck Oil it was £6. ****

Staff: There were staff aplenty, perhaps an advantage of a real family-run boozer. Everyone was friendly and welcoming. ****

I selected tuna mayo and cucumber on white bread, it was served with salad and a handful of crisps
I selected tuna mayo and cucumber on white bread, it was served with salad and a handful of crisps
If she goes for a baguette it’s a safe bet Mrs SD will choose sausage and onions
If she goes for a baguette it’s a safe bet Mrs SD will choose sausage and onions
With the impressive garden at the back I’m not sure how often this table and stone seats at the front would be used
With the impressive garden at the back I’m not sure how often this table and stone seats at the front would be used
Definitely of their time, and not necessarily laugh-out-loud funny, I think these postcards would still make most people smile
Definitely of their time, and not necessarily laugh-out-loud funny, I think these postcards would still make most people smile

Catch up on all Secret Drinker's Kent pub reviews here

Click here to follow Secret Drinker on X

Want more Secret Drinker? Sign up here for his monthly newsletter

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More