Plough, High Road, Wilmington

BELIEVE it or not, I have a group of Quakers to thank for my latest pleasurable jaunt into deepest Kent.

Having read about Hextable's ongoing fight to have its own parish council, I decided I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. However, after scouring the streets of this pleasant village, I discovered it does not have a pub due to the fact the Quakers who once lived there banned boozing.

Anyway, nearby Wilmington beckoned and a really nice place called The Plough.

From pavement to bar is about two strides, which is particularly fortuitous if you happen to find yourself tired and emotional'.

I was met with a cheery smile from the barmaid who greeted everyone as they walked in and thanked them as they left. Good manners and service cost nothing and can make or break a pub.

Although extremely cosy at the front, there is a spacey eating section at the rear leading out into a big beer garden.

The pub, which has an old piano in the corner, is decorated traditionally with all sorts of paraphernalia hanging from the beams and walls.

It really is a good old-fashioned village boozer which I doubt has changed much in 50 years. It obviously doesn't need to as it had a very healthy number of customers during my lunchtime visit.

After surveying a good selection of beers, including Spitfire, Kentish Red, Admiral, John Smith's Smooth, Stella, Fosters and Guinness, I decided a pint of Courage Best was in order.

At £2.30, it was well priced but it wasn't the greatest pint I've had and I would certainly have changed my order if I had stayed longer.

The steak baguette I ordered for lunch was competitively priced at £4.75 and really tender. Although it could have done with a marinade, it was enjoyable and good value.

As I got up to leave, I was genuinely sad I did not have more time to sit back and watch the Wilmington world go by.

I really must thank the Hextable Quakers, as if it wasn't for their temperance, I may have missed out on a visit to really nice pub.