From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Secret Drinker, 15 November 2019.

Secret Drinker at the John Brunt VC pub in Paddock Wood.

“It was a right ****hole, well it was until I arrived”.

Approach the strangely named John Brunt VC from the wrong angle and you could be forgiven for thinking you’ve stumbled into a dodgy corner of Eastern Europe.

Okay, its position in Paddock Wood doesn’t help (regular readers know my views about pubs next to stations) but this must be one of the least attractive boozers in Kent.

Another poorly lit entrance is still advertising Faye Phillips, who apparently sang here a month ago.

As the door creaked open I almost stepped into the skewiff pool table, but having negotiated this first obstacle I got a darned good licking from Bernie. The woman in decorator’s trousers holding onto the black shaggy mutt, with three white socks, was equally affable.

Any sane person looking closely at the pub, either inside or out, will conclude the best course of action would be to tear it down and start again. It’s about as rough and ready as anywhere you’ll visit.

The opening quote, from the current manager, is telling us he believes he’s turned the place around in the last 16 months.

Despite this, I think most people stepping in here (wiping their feet on the way out!) would still think it’s a pub from hell. But, despite first appearances, and what I’ve already said, I think this is a great pub.

Okay, I wouldn’t dream of eating here, even if they were serving food – though the snack offering, including twiglets, scratchings, nuts and crisps was extensive. And, the whole place could do with a good seeing to from the women in decorator trousers. But, it’s got heart and the regulars are as friendly and upbeat as you’ll find anywhere.

It’s a proper pub – pool, a Rocket jukebox (though please don’t play Dire Straits again), two dartboards, a decent sized screen and a reasonable selection of drinks. Sadly, if there’s even a trace of snobbishness about you then you’ll have to write it off.

At this point the decorator lady and her fella Pete disappeared into the night as their taxi had arrived and it was kisses and hugs all round.

Barman Ray was attentive and cheery so, on his recommendation, I started with a Doom Bar (4%) which poured with a decent head and was well kept. I tasted the Hobgoblin, but it was a very poor second. Secret Drinker’s mate tried just about everything else on offer – Amstel, Guinness and vodka and coke.

When the manager arrived and stepped in for Ray he was, if anything, even more friendly and approachable – though he did have me marked down as either a taxman or a copper and he does support Arsenal!

He was happy to chat and explained the unique pub name. In 1947 the Kent Arms was renamed John Brunt VC in honour of a young Second World War officer who grew up in Paddock Wood and was later awarded the Victoria Cross. In 1997 the pub’s name was changed to the "Hopping Hooden Horse" but there was such local outrage the former name was restored in 2001.

By now the jukebox was blaring out the Beautiful South and two tunes from Eddy Grant. For alternative entertainment you could try the dominoes and travel scrabble on a shelf which looks as if it hasn’t been touched for decades.

There’s a decent sized TV screen in one corner with a couple of brown leather sofas underneath.

The usual pithy words of wisdom are chalked up around the bar – ‘Free drinks for anyone aged over 80 – with a parent present’, ‘Be careful drink driving – mind my car’ and ‘Everybody brings happiness – some when they come, some when they leave’.

Deciding it was time for me to deliver a little happiness around the place my mate and I made our way into the night.

Sadly, if you want to share the delights of the John Brunt you’ll need to be quick as it’s closing on December 2 when Star Pubs & Bars (Heineken UK) will spend £250,000 ripping the heart out of it to re-open a gastro offering next February.

There’s a popular covered smoking area at the back.

Surely they won’t be daft enough to change the name and who knows, as one of only two pubs in a town of 8,000 people, perhaps a gastro pub will prove to be a winner?

It will, nevertheless, be very sad that the rough and ready folk of the current rough and ready boozer may be lost forever.

The pub will be closing for a major refurb on December 2.

If size is important then the urinals at the John Brunt are the most important thing in the pub.

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Luke May, 18 November 2019.

John Brunt VC pub in Paddock Wood shuts for refurb after Star Pubs and Bars takeover.

An historic pub named after a local war hero is facing a two-month closure.

The John Brunt VC in Paddock Wood is set to be converted into a gastropub at a cost of £480,000 after it was taken over by Star Pubs and Bars.

The Church Road boozer will close its doors on December 2 - fortunately The Secret Drinker has paid a visit to give his thoughts.

A spokeswoman from Star Pubs and Bars said: "We have plans to transform the John Brunt VC into the best family friendly pub in the area. Building work will start early December with the pub reopening mid to late February."

It is the only pub in England to be named after a Victoria Cross holder.

Young John, as he was known around Paddock Wood, served in Italy during the Second World War before was killed by mortar fire in 1944.

His death came the day after an act of bravery that would earn him a posthumous Victoria Cross.

A letter from the War Office read: "Wherever the fighting was heaviest, Captain Brunt was always to be found, moving from one post to another, encouraging the men and firing any weapon he found at any target he could see.

"The magnificent action fought by this Officer, his coolness, bravery, devotion to duty and complete disregard of his own personal safety under the most intense and concentrated fire was beyond praise. His personal example and individual action were responsible to a very great extent for the successful repulse of these fierce enemy counter-attacks."

Young John was killed by mortar fire the following day - four days after his 22nd birthday.

In honour of the fallen hero his local pub, then called the "Kent Arms," was renamed the John Brunt VC and remains the only pub in England to be named after a Victoria Cross holder.

There are no plans to change the name of the pub.

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Luke May, 18 November 2019.

This is what John Brunt VC pub in Paddock Wood could look like after revamp.

A six-figure revamp is set to change the face of an historic pub.

The John Brunt VC in Paddock Wood is England's only pub to be named after a Victoria Cross holder.

This is what the John Brunt VC in Paddock Wood will look like after a refurb.

Cpt Brunt died in the Second World War the day after an act of gallantry that would earn him Britain's highest honour.

KentOnline's Secret Drinker visited The John Brunt VC ahead of a £480,000 refurbishment by Heineken-owned Star Pubs and Bars.

The boozer will be transformed into a family friendly venue, complete with food.

But first it will need to close for two months.

Last orders will come on December 1. It is expected to reopen in mid to late February, creating between 10 and 12 new jobs.

Inside, the pub is being reconfigured to create a more spacious interior.

This includes moving the toilets, shortening the bar, and opening up the bar and dining areas to create one room with seating for 64 people.

The ceiling is also being raised and new bi-fold doors installed, while the beer garden is also being given a makeover.

Dugald Macer, regional operations director for Star Pubs & Bars said: "The John Brunt is in a fantastic location near the railway station and supermarket, ideal for commuters, parents on the school run, shoppers and the community as a whole.

"With around 2,000 new houses being built in the area, there is a real need for a family friendly local with a fabulous garden that offers good value quality food and has a broad appeal.

"We have a passionate experienced couple lined up to take the pub forward, who are great at putting on events.

"They know the area well and are very much looking forward to moving to The John Brunt, becoming part of the community and making The John Brunt the beating heart of Paddock Wood."

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Secret Drinker, 6 April 2020.

Secret Drinker looks back at his 10 worst pubs across Kent.

It’s almost a year since I landed the best job in the world and I’ve been travelling around Kent ever since discovering the very best, and worst, pubs right around the county.

Fortunately the majority of boozers I’ve been lucky enough to visit have been great, but some, sadly, have been found wanting.

I can only ever report exactly what I find at a given moment in time and I realise a fly-on-the-wall review can’t possibly take into account everything going on in a pub. - and many of these pubs may well have improved since my visit.

But, I was tasked with discovering the good, the bad and the ugly – and, in my humble opinion on the day, these are the 10 worst boozers I’ve visited...

9. The John Brunt in Paddock Wood had to feature at No. 9 because even the landlord described it as ‘a right ****hole’. Right next to the station (my views on pubs near railway stations are well known) it looked like something from a dodgy corner of Eastern Europe. After a good licking from Bernie I made sure I wiped my feet on the way out as I left the least attractive pub in Kent. As rough and ready as anywhere you could visit, I said any sane person would tear it down and start again. I must be a genius as that is exactly what Star Pubs & Bars (Heineken UK) has now done.

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Secret Drinker, 20 June 2025.

Secret Drinker returns to Paddock Wood to review the restored John Brunt VC pub.

They say you should never go back and generally I stick to the rule but the changes made to the John Brunt VC in Paddock Wood have been so major I decided to make an exception.

It’s been more than five years since I visited and last time even the landlord himself described it as ‘a right ****hole’ – the month after my visit it closed for a complete refurb.

The footprint of the John Brunt VC is exactly the same but inside it has been renovated completely and the outside has had a full makeover too.

Heineken (UK) reportedly spent close to half a million gutting the place and it certainly looks a completely different beast to the last time I was in.

The only bitter available was John Smith’s, so I thought I should give it a go and found a table with a plastic rose in a jar of blue stones in the centre of the bar. The makeover must have included four new TV screens and two were visible from where I was sitting, although one was on the blink, which was no loss as they were just showing ads on repeat and I didn’t need a carpenter, a plumber, a plasterer or a spa pool.

I covered this pub’s fascinating history and the fact it’s the only pub honouring a recipient of a Victoria Cross in my review in 2019, so I won’t repeat it again but I’m glad the name has been retained.

The pub now is certainly airier, cleaner, sweeter-smelling, lighter and, on top of that, the barmaid actually took the time to wipe down the tables. Food is now also on offer, or at least it should be, but unfortunately on the day I was in there had been ‘issues’ and the kitchen had closed early, which led to several customers turning on their heels at the bar and retracing their steps before even ordering a drink.

As well as the addition of trendy lightbulbs, new furniture, stripped floorboards and French doors, there’s a big fruit machine and new glass porch area for the side/front door.

It wasn't too clear whether this area is the front of the pub or not but it's definitely favoured by the majority of family groups.

My table, like several others, featured a decorative plastic rose in a bottle filled with brightly coloured miniature stones.

Old meets new, the large, colourful fruit machine sits alongside an area dedicated to the memory of Captain John Brunt.

There was background music playing at a sensible level and Staying Alive was followed by Duran Duran – last time I visited it was the Beautiful South and Eddy Grant so I’m not sure improvement can be claimed here?

The gents too, though clearly made-over considerably, still have serious issues, it’s as tight as ever and only one, of the two urinals, can be used at any one time. Also, a leaking pipe meant the floor was covered in urine and the smell was eye-wateringly powerful.

There was only one barmaid on duty but that was plenty and she still found time for cleaning and tidying up. She also had a few moments to explain there have been several landlords since Heineken did the pub up and ‘Covid saw off the first one’.

The address for the John Brunt pub is Church Road so presumably this view, from Old Kent Road, is the side view, although it looks more like the front of the pub.

There no doubt the gents have received a serious makeover but I don't think they've been extended at all and the aroma was similar to the last time I was in, over five years ago.

At this point, we had a feline visitor and the barmaid explained her boss had rescued it and that it, like the two rescued dogs, often makes an appearance in the bar to take a look around.

There used to be a pool table but that has long gone, along with the dartboards and if you’re looking for a game now it’ll need to be the board variety, which you’ll find on the shelves, although there is a quiz night each Tuesday at 7.30pm.

I’m delighted to report that all the original tributes to the famous Paddock Wood Victoria Cross recipient have been retained and the great old picture of John Brunt sits proudly under a wreath of poppies.

It wasn’t too clear which door is at the front as the pub’s address is Church Road but the front door, complete with its new porch, seems to be at the side on Old Kent Road.

I’m therefore not sure whether the outside area is at the back or the side of the pub but it’s certainly extensive with a good-sized undercover patio and plenty of picnic tables spread across the grassed area. A steady flow of smokers wafted in and out through the French doors on a regular basis.

I previously described this place as looking like a corner of Eastern Europe where you’d wipe your feet on the way out and I have to accept there have been massive steps forward – therefore, the majority of folk will prefer it, right?

Surely you’d have to be crazy to prefer the dark, dingy, grungy, rough and ready previous incarnation but I can’t help feeling it was a proper old boozer with devoted punters, which has sadly been lost forever.

However, I will be the first to admit it couldn’t possibly have survived as it was and Heineken’s investment means Paddock Wood is still lucky enough to have a second pub that will hopefully continue to thrive for years to come.

As well as a new decked section, there are also plenty of round wooden picnic tables positioned across the grass.

The tributes to the remarkable young soldier John Brunt, who received a posthumous Victoria Cross, are outside the pub as well as inside.

Décor: Obviously a world apart from the original incarnation I visited half a decade ago and it’s definitely airier, lighter and cleaner. Any right-minded person would appreciate the huge improvement but I miss the old dark place. ***

Drink: There was a reasonable selection of drinks available but sadly, this is yet another public house that doesn’t find it possible to provide customers with a decent choice of ales. **

Price: The John Smith’s was sensibly priced at £4.25 but the trendier draught lagers were considerably more expensive and a pint of Cruzcampo would cost you £6.35. ***

Staff: There was only one barmaid on duty but that was more than enough and whenever she wasn’t serving, she kept herself busy with cleaning and tidying. ***

There are only two urinals in the gents but it's such a narrow squeeze to reach them, it's really only practical to have one in use at a time.

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Louis Walker, 14 July 2025.

The John Brunt VC pub in Paddock Wood closed after ‘person assaulted and window smashed’ in disturbance.

A pub was forced to close after a disturbance which saw one of its windows smashed and left staff “shaken”.

Police were called to The John Brunt VC in Church Road, Paddock Wood at 10.35pm on Friday.

A police spokesperson added: “It is reported a group of men were involved in an incident which included threats and abuse to staff and which led to a person being assaulted.

“Criminal damage was also caused to the pub, including a smashed window.

“Officers attended, and the suspects had left the scene.”

An investigation is ongoing and anyone with information should call Kent Police on 01622 604100, quoting 46/118753/25.

You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

A sign at the entrance of The John Brunt VC pub on Saturday.

The pub was closed on Saturday, following the incident, but reopened yesterday (Sunday).

Bosses took to social media to thank customers for their cooperation during “a very difficult situation”.

They added: “Our combined actions meant that there were no serious injuries, and everybody was safe.

“We are also overwhelmed with the love and support you all showed us last night.

“Our hearts go out to our team, who shouldn't have to be subjected to that type of behaviour.

A boarded-up window at The John Brunt VC pub in Paddock Wood.

“We know that they were shaken by the situation, but were impeccable in the way they handled it. Absolute pros, and we love you for it.

“We are sad to have to post this, but so so proud of everyone that was here.”