Getting a ghost has always been a good idea for a pub, people might be sceptical about the spirit itself, but the publicity is a real winner – though claiming three is surely a touch greedy.
Perhaps the close proximity to Pluckley, self-proclaimed most haunted village in Kent, is the reason for the spooky shenanigans or perhaps the Swan Inn’s new owners want to start their own ghost walks?
You’ll find The Swan Inn at Little Chart right on the roadside, but back when it was built in the 16th century the only passing traffic would have been on four legs or two, and moving a good deal slower
I came across this delightful rural hostelry in Little Chart completely by accident but fell in love with it at first sight.
It was never going to be busy on a Thursday afternoon in January and there was only one other person in, a very pleasant local gent sat at the bar who, having tried the first pint of Harvey’s to be pulled for the day, had shifted over to a Greene King IPA.
I somehow masked my incredulity at this decision and ordered pint #2 of Harvey’s before taking a seat between one of the quite superb Dering windows and an equally impressive brick fireplace, which silhouetted the window-shape perfectly.
There are far too many fascinating features in this pub to list them all but suffice it to say when the new owners took this place on in May last year they secured themselves a building with real character.
There was only one other customer in the bar when we arrived, though several others had joined us before it was time to departThe front door of the pub isn’t in use which, given the close proximity of the passing traffic, makes perfect sense
Not that they’ve sat on their laurels – Holly the barmaid, who also worked for the previous owners, said they completely redecorated in takeover week and turned everything previously painted dark blue into the trendier, lighter green colour.
Of course, there isn’t a jukebox, a dartboard, a pool table or even any TV screens and, for once, I’m in total agreement, they just wouldn’t be right here. But, don’t think entertainment isn’t on the menu as our hostess informed us The Swan holds a series of music events across the year with several really good bands playing.
And, paying a visit to the garden made me realise there is plenty of room for outdoor events with a stack of seating and even a children’s play area at the far end.
There couldn’t be a more perfect clue to the precise location of this wonderful country pub – Dering windows are synonymous with this neck of the woodsThe only other punter in the pub said he’d already had the first pint of Harvey’s pulled for the day and reckoned the second one would better. Mrs SD went traditional with a large Sauvignon Blanc.
The grass area runs directly down to a burbling stream and I could definitely picture myself sitting here on a summer evening.
I wasn’t sure why the garden needed a life-size model of a cow but the model swans nestled around the foot of a tree by the stream made a lot more sense given the name of the place.
Back inside, the entertainment was now in full swing, well the music had been switched on at least and we were immediately treated to a great choice, A Town Called Malice from The Jam, followed by the Fine Young Cannibals’ Suspicious Minds.
We weren’t quite as sold on the next tune, something by Frankie Valli, but when Mrs SD’s current favourite followed this, A Bar Song (Tipsy) by Shaboozey, she was delighted.
You don’t need to ‘moove’ over as there’s plenty of room outside in the garden, though I never did find out why there was a life-size model of a cow at the far endThere are several open fireplaces but it wasn’t too cold when we were in so only one was alight
The Swan Inn describes itself as a ‘country-style pub’ but this doesn’t really do it justice as it has not just embraced the incredible history of this wonderful 16th century hostelry but has also mastered the successful transformation required to make it completely user-friendly 500 years down the line.
All this nostalgia doesn’t come cheap and, although we weren’t dining, Mrs SD did want a bag of crisps, which set her back £1.80.
I wasn’t surprised to discover the large glass of Sauvignon Blanc was £9 but I didn’t expect a pint of Cruzcampo lager to be 20p cheaper than a Harvey’s Sussex Best. Trendy Spanish lagers clocking it at less than a local bitter is certainly unusual.
The fireplace with its hefty oak beams is an interesting enough feature in itself but having the Dering windows silhoutted against it just added to the atmosphereThis room to the right of the bar is set aside for dining
I did spot the blackboard listing the desserts, which were eight pounds apiece, but Holly assured me they’re well worth it.
It’s time I updated you on those spooks. A visit from the Pluckley Ghost Walkers, complete with all the necessary equipment and several open minds discovered not just one apparition but three at the pub – outside they discovered a six-year-old boy who drowned in the stream, a less than happy old lady roams the far bar and, finally, a well-mannered ghostly gent has taken up residence in what was once the stables.
Whatever your view of the spirit world, and the benefit of getting resident spooks, there’s no denying they’re getting a lot right here.
The lifesize cow at the far end of the garden might need some explaining but having a couple of model swans down by the stream makes perfect senseDescribing itself as a ‘country-style pub’, the Swan Inn offers good food, beers and winesIt’s fair to say stripping back the wooden floorboards in a pub is a popular form of decoration these days but I couldn’t help but be impressed by the quality of the job done here
THE SWAN, SWAN LANE, LITTLE CHART, ASHFORD TN27 0QB
Décor: An absolute gem of a place. Exposed brickwork, beautiful floorboards and packed full of fascinating features and historic items. The incredibly local, and iconic, Dering windows are the icing on the cake. *****
Drink: It was good to find Harvey’s on draught, but I’m certainly not a fan of Greene King’s standard IPA. Mrs SD didn’t think the wine hailed from New Zealand, but it quickly grew on her and she was happy to have a second. ***
Price: You get what you pay for. This place was never going to be cheap and a large Sav Blanc was £9. A pint of Cruzcampo was about on par with other places at £5.80 but, surprisingly, the Harvey’s was more expensive at £6. ***
Staff: An absolute credit to the pub, barmaid Holly was approachable, efficient and more than happy to share what she knows about the place. It’s always good to see staff being kept on by new owners. *****
Surprisingly, a pint of Cruzcampo, for £5.80, was 20p cheaper than a pint of Harvey’s Sussex BestThe festive decorations were long gone so I have to assume the garlands slung across the beams, and the accompanying fairly lights, are here all year-roundEven the small windows in the gents followed the Dering style and everything else, from the porcelain urinal to the white tiles, was equally traditionalI didn’t take a closer look myself, but the children’s play area looked as if it would keep your little darlings happy and quiet for a whileNot in use in winter, I’m reliably informed there have been several events staged outside The Swan during the last year
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