The Fordwich Arms

Head out to Fordwich — yes, it's a bit of a journey from the city centre, but worth it — and you'll find yourself in one of Kent's loveliest villages. The Fordwich Arms sits right on the water's edge, all exposed beams and creaky floorboards, the kind of place where locals prop up the bar and the landlord actually knows what he's doing. The menu changes with the seasons and leans into proper cooking: expect game in autumn, fresh fish when it's good, and the sort of vegetables that taste like they were picked that morning. It's not fancy for fancy's sake — more "we've sourced this properly and it tastes brilliant." The wine list is thoughtful without being pretentious, and they take their real ales seriously.