Wingham is known for its thatched cottages, medieval houses, and this much lauded gastropub and boutique hotel.

While the the Dog at Wingham has won many an award (Front of House Team of the Year at the 2021 Damm Top 50 Gastropubs awards; 'Best in Kent' pub two years in a row; a TripAdvisor hidden gem in the 2023 Travellers' Choice awards) it's the super friendly team - as well as the food - that really makes it a must-visit.

One of the oldest pubs in Kent (it dates back to the 13th century) the Dog offers a comforting mix of old and new. Stylish bar stools are paired with an ancient inglenook.

Manager Marc Bridgen prides himself creating a pub that people will travel for miles to eat and stay at (which is exactly what our editor and family did!)

The kitchen is overseen by head chef Robert Mantegna - who delights in the informality of a gastropub.

'You can receive a high end meal and still enjoy a pint of beer without being judged,' as he sums up.

And high end the food certainly is.

The menu changes month to month to reflect seasonality and local produce is always at the fore.

Yet there is always a delightful lack of pretension.

Our editor's boy, Sonny, happily munched his way through fish and mash and broccoli (plentiful portions and proper fish - no measly fish fingers here!) while Katy and husband Gary leisurely meandered their way through the al carte menu.

The fried baby squid and garlic aioli stopped them getting hangry after an afternoon wander. The dry aged Kentish lamb (with confit carrot, sweetbreads, wild garlic chimichurri and bovril infused jus) was a total hit. While the braised short rib of beef (with clotted cream mash, port jus & charred shallot) was quite frankly a thing of beauty.

They took advantage of the pub's super smart rooms (the most most characterful are in the old pub while there are two more in the separate 'Doghouse' - see what they did there?) to really make the most of the trip to Wingham.

It's well worth knowing that one of the rooms has a bunk-bed room for families (happily met with a big thumbs up from Sonny!)

And the staff keep the smiles going right through to the morning. Breakfast (brought to your room if you like) is as top quality as the feast the night before.

Fancy checking them out? This month, the pub launches their La Dolce Vita Celebration Dinner (June 27) and Kent Life readers can enjoy a complimentary drink on arrival if you mention Kent Life when booking dinner...

Fab food, friendly folk and a stylishly snuggly night's sleep. What's not to love?

thedog.co.uk/

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