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From the
https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Secret Drinker, 20 October 2022.
Secret Drinker reviews The Elephant pub in Faversham.
The second I walked into The Elephant I was transported back to my
youth, to a time when you knew what to expect visiting a pub and woe
betide anyone who dared rub the landlord up the wrong way.
In a town where Shepherd Neame rules, this is a fairly rare beast – a
free house in Faversham.
Distinctive and striking, the façade of The Elephant free house on The
Mall in Faversham is bright and impressive.
From the painted façade, pictures of our late Queen and Britain’s
greatest prime minister, to superbly politically incorrect facilities
this place oozes tradition and quality.
The landlord Jim runs an incredibly tight ship but on the day we were in
he was otherwise engaged upstairs and wasn’t due down until 8pm, so we
were in the hands of the very capable barmaid Jo.
After much toing and froing, not to mention several taste tests,
decisions on drinks were finally taken and my Apprentice chose a 3.8%
Spring Tide from the Shivering Sands Brewery at Manston. Labelled as a
UPA he said it was particularly hoppy but also had a sharp edge and
reckoned it was a darned good pint.
Packed full of proper pub furnishings and decorations, from old shell
cases to musical instruments, there’s plenty of military memorabilia on
show.
I selected a 4.8% Prohibition from the Kent Brewery in Birling, near
West Malling, which describes itself as an American Pale Ale. This is
another highly hopped ale and was a fraction too citrusy for my taste,
but it certainly packed a punch.
Even Mrs SD was swayed by an impressive array of pumps and although she
went for a more obvious, well-known pint, she stuck with the pale ale
theme and chose a 5.2% Punk IPA from Brewdog. She has had it before and
enjoyed it but said this was a particularly good pint.
I’m told it used to be famed for Elephant pies, which were made
specially for the pub, it even used to host free food Thursdays, but
these days it’s strictly a food free zone.
We therefore selected snacks, which the barmaid then struggled to reach
as the shelf is too high for her - set she says, at ‘landlord level’.
Then, as instructed by the notice, we dutifully moved away from the bar.
There is no music here, it just wouldn’t be right, this is a pub where
people come to drink and talk. The first person we spoke to was a
lifelong member of CAMRA, with beard of course, who waxed lyrical about
the beers offered at this proper old free house and the way they are
kept.
I took a brief break to explore the garden at the back, which is
maintained equally as immaculately as the rest of the place and, as well
as being a top spot to sit, is also packed full of interesting items.
I also discovered the cleverly named Room in The Elephant, which is a
fantastic space for a party or other such social gathering and, in
keeping with everything else, it is spotlessly kept and marvellously
traditional with pictures of Nelson, Elizabeth II and Churchill no less.
Dogs, on leads, are welcome throughout, as are children (similarly
restrained, as per order of the management).
At the far end of The Room in The Elephant is this beautifully furnished
garden room.
There is a well-designed back garden which makes the best possible use
of outdoor space.
Back inside our new CAMRA friend was explaining there is some food
available but it is the landlord’s home-made pickled eggs and they come
with a warning as he adds his own chilli to them.
I’d already spotted Les at one side of the bar, who was sharing his
views on beer mats and life in general, and also noticed the designated
Naughty Corner before encountering Refugee Corner in the saloon bar.
I’m told this latter corner needed to be introduced after another local
pub closed and regulars transferring to The Elephant needed to be
accommodated.
In conclusion I must give special mention to the toilets.
Both the gents and ladies’ facilities are fantastic – not only are they
wonderfully old fashioned and authentic but also superbly politically
incorrect.
I suspect several photographs I have submitted to the editor will not
make it to publication here so you’ll just have to visit The Elephant
yourself to view Jim’s excellent selection of slightly risqué pictures
from times past.
In a town where most top drinking spots have long been dominated by
Shepherd Neame, The Elephant has not only created room for itself, it is
leading the herd.
As traditional and old fashioned as it’s possible to be, the gents is
wonderfully presented and maintained.
The care and attention to detail in the ladies’ toilets is second to
none – perfectly presented and maintained. Mrs SD was highly impressed
by the free products made available. |
