Business Details
Award-Winning Pub in Hastingleigh, Kent
The Bowl Inn is a family-run free house nestled in the Wye Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, offering a unique blend of tradition and hospitality. Established in the 1740s, our pub has been a cornerstone of village life for centuries, serving as a gathering place for locals and visitors alike. We specialise in sourcing the freshest local Kentish ales from renowned breweries such as Hopfuzz and Gadds', alongside carefully selected wines and spirits. Our commitment to quality has earned us recognition in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide for 17 consecutive years and multiple CAMRA Pub of the Year awards. During summer, our beer garden hosts popular events like the annual Beer Festival, while winter brings roaring fires and hearty meals for families.Under the stewardship of Annie and her daughter since 2019, we continue to preserve our traditional character while maintaining modern standards of excellence. Our dedication to local produce extends to our menu, featuring homemade sandwiches and ploughman's lunches made with regional ingredients. The historic building itself, once home to a rat and sparrow club, remains a testament to our deep roots in the community. With panoramic views of the North Downs and a warm, welcoming atmosphere, we strive to create memorable experiences for every guest. Our accolades reflect not just our quality offerings but also our unwavering commitment to customer service and community engagement.
Services
Cask Ale
Local Wines
Gin Selection
Draught Cider
Local Snacks
Highlights and features
- We offer over 270 years of continuous hospitality tradition in a historic setting
- Our cask ales come exclusively from award-winning Kentish breweries
- We've received CAMRA recognition for 17 consecutive years
- Our beer garden hosts unique seasonal events in a scenic location
- We maintain original features while meeting modern service standards
Associations and certifications
- CAMRA Good Beer Guide
- AFRM CAMRA Pub of the Year
What people say
Best local real ales
Beautiful garden
Roaring fires
Excellent customer service
CAMRA recognition
Services
Cask Ale
Our cask ales come exclusively from award-winning Kentish breweries including Hopfuzz, Tonbridge, and Gadds'. Each pint is served at perfect cellar temperature using traditional hand pumps. We rotate our selection seasonally to showcase the best of local brewing talent while maintaining core favourites for regular patrons.
Local Wines
We curate an extensive wine list featuring both local Kentish vineyards and international classics. Our selection includes white, red, ros, and sparkling wines available by the glass or bottle. Particular emphasis is placed on pairing options that complement our traditional British menu.
Gin Selection
Our gin collection features premium local distillations from White Cliffs and Anno alongside global brands like Tanqueray. We offer a range of tonic pairings and garnishes to enhance each gin's unique botanical profile. Our staff can guide you through tasting notes and recommended combinations.
Draught Cider
We serve Aspall draught cider from Suffolk through our traditional cider press. The crisp, refreshing taste complements our pub meals perfectly. For those preferring sweeter options, we also stock Curious Apple bottled cider from Ashford with both still and sparkling varieties available.
Local Snacks
Our snack menu features award-winning Kent Crisps in unique local flavours like Biddenden Cider Vinegar and Ashmore Cheese & Onion. We also offer premium nuts from Mr Filberts, including salt-crusted and dry-roasted varieties that pair perfectly with our ales and wines.
People
Annie
Landlady
Annie has been running The Bowl Inn since 2004, restoring the historic building while maintaining its traditional character. She continues her late husband Ron's legacy, ensuring the pub remains a community hub and award-winning destination for ale enthusiasts.
Annie
Co-Owner
Annie, daughter of longtime landlord Ron, joined the business in 2004 to help restore The Bowl Inn. Since 2019, she has worked alongside her mother to maintain the pub's high standards and community focus while continuing its award-winning tradition.
Questions
What local ales do you serve?
We serve cask ales exclusively from Kentish breweries including Hopfuzz, Tonbridge, Wantsum, Romney Marsh, and Gadds'. Selection rotates seasonally.
Are dogs allowed at The Bowl Inn?
Well-behaved dogs are welcome in our beer garden and designated areas, but not permitted inside the main pub space.
Do you serve food all day?
We serve homemade sandwiches and ploughman's lunches all day Saturday. Other days feature our regular snack menu.
What are your opening hours?
We're open Thursday-Friday 5pm-11pm, Saturday 12pm-11pm, and Sunday 12pm-10pm. Closed Monday-Wednesday.
Do you host events at The Bowl Inn?
Yes, we host our annual Beer Festival on August Bank Holiday Monday and other seasonal events in our beer garden.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept both cash and card payments for all our drinks and food offerings.
