There’s a little corner of Kent that is fast becoming a little foodie hotspot – we already have the incredible Sportsman, Fordwich Arms and The Bridge Arms – and now there’s The Rose Inn to add to the hitlist.
The Rose Inn is in a very pretty little village called Wickhambreaux and looks every part the quintessential village pub, with its whitewashed exterior, sloping roof, and tall brick chimneys. Inside, there’s gnarled wooden ceiling beams, two roaring fireplaces and plenty of cosy nooks. The Rose Inn has been there in one form or another since the 1300s and it certainly has that charming, ancient pub feel.
In summer 2021 the place was taken over by chef Billy Stock, who cut his teeth at St John, Rochelle Canteen and The Marksman, before returning to his native Kent. He’s given the place a smart lick of paint and made the seats a bit more comfy but ultimately it retains the feel of a pub rather than a restaurant. Billy’s cooking, however, is most definitely not what you’d expect to find in your average village pub.
The daily menu, which is chalked up on a blackboard above the fireplace, is a short, sharp, accomplished celebration of local Kent produce and suppliers. We kicked off with The Rose Inn’s own label lager, as well as a pet nat cider by Kentish Pip from just down the road, before tucking in to the bar snack menu including the beautiful cold roast beef on beef fat toast and a healthy dollop of horseradish. Don’t miss the pork scratchings too, which Billy makes himself in-house. For mains, we had perfect pork belly with crisp pink fir potatoes, romesco, and gravy as well as a beautiful skate wing; and for dessert, a rich slab of chocolate cake. Simple but perfectly executed cooking.
The villagers are very lucky indeed to have The Rose Inn as their local – it even had us looking on RightMove to check out the local pads. But even if you’re not ready to up sticks to the countryside, we can highly recommend a foodie adventure down in Kent. It’s only a quick drive or train from London and there’s so much to discover now.
The Green, Wickhambreaux, Canterbury CT3 1RQ
theroseinn.pub