The Wheatsheaf, Bough Beech

After a post-Christmas/holiday break from our traditional English Sundays we took up once again and drove Sunday morning to Kent. We chose the 'Wheatsheaf' in the hamlet of Bough Beech. It is one of a handful of pubs in Britain that has been in every Good Pub Guide, that is, for the last 25 years. It was a glorious day and we chose a table next to the window with the sun streaming in. To our delight we helped ourselves to chestnuts and a roasting pan over the open fire. It was a nice touch in this comfy snug pub. The building was originally a hunting lodge belonging to Henry V. He spent some time in this part of the country courting his second wife, Anne Boleyn who lived at nearby Hever Castle. The ceiling beams and walls were adorned with typical hunting lodge paraphernalia - namely stuffed heads and hunting weapons. I tried not to look at those, especially the beady-eyed monkey. Above the fireplace was the inscription '1607 Foxy Holamby', graffiti left by a cheeky local squire. In its many forms the Wheatsheaf has also been a smithy and a 'beer shop'.

After lunch - truly home-made and delicious! - we donned our wellies (I've learned my lesson from the last few pub walks!), and parked the car by the nearby reservoir and set off along a Nature Trail in the afternoon sunshine. There were quite a few families and dogs about. James loved the Oast House we came across at the edge of a field. Every time he looked at it he laughed - he thinks their conical roofs and lopsided 'chimneys' are funny. Anyway it turned out to be the Bough Beech Visitors Centre and it was a very busy spot. We didn't hang around long, and making our way back through the fields to the road passed a farm with an unusual weather vane - Winne the Pooh & Piglet. James had his 'long eyes' on and spotted 2p on the road. Needless to say he slept all the way home.

Photos are here.