Overlooking Benenden’s large green and cricket pitch, The Bull plays up to the image of the perfect village pub with impressive swagger. Inside, two beamed rooms are equally appealing: the bar is home to a huge inglenook, church candles and gaggle of chatty locals, while the smarter dining room is all solid tables and relaxed vibes. Real ale fans know they’ve come home when they see the selection of local brews selected by a landlord who takes his beer seriously – look out for Rolvenden’s range of Old Dairy ales (brewed just one mile down the road) and Curious Brew (a hoppy wild card from Chapel Down Vineyard in Tenterden). The food is generous stuff – platefuls of local game, Rye Bay fish, steaks with all the trimmings, and a popular Sunday lunch carvery.