The Lower Bell Restaurant

I travel often for work and as it tends to come out of my bottom line I have to find somewhere thats got everything I need whilst also being extremely affordable. Fortunately for me, The Lower Bell was both. In most situations the bare minimum is a clean room and a bed and that is exactly what I got. Being a solo traveller I dont need a massive room so plumped for the single room (as it turned out Room No 1). Not only did I get exactly what I needed, but also was pleasantly surprised to discover a heated towel rail and a pretty decent tele. That heated rail was worth its weight in gold as I had just ridden my motorbike through a storm to get there! Also I turned up a tad later then planned and the kitchen had closed. However the brilliant team behind the bar (Kate and Lynn) where terribly kind enough to offer me the pizza menu and sorted me something out. Before I knew it, I was sinking a couple of pints while talking with some pretty friendly locals. My only regret was that I couldnt go and chat to them more on the second night I was staying as I had prearranged to meet someone. Suffice to say that if I am back in this neck of the woods I will be popping my head in again to say hi!

Was a last minute lunch booking and was not disappointed. The staff are lovely the location a little odd but pretty despite being a lorry stopover and behind Bluebell Hill on approach to m20. The food was good. Highly recommend the baked camembert (though order extra bread) and the steak burger is a winner. Couldn't fit desert in. The calamari was cooked perfectly and the whitebait. The chilli crispy beef though good had no chilli. Definitely visit again.

An attractive little Greene King pub tucked away under the shadow of the motorway. We popped in for some lunch after visiting some of the local sights, and decided on some light bites. I got the BLT baguette and some chicken wings, both are very reasonably priced for what you get. The wings had a nice batter on them and had a kick of heat too which is right up my street. The BLT was just right, and well balanced. Good selection of beers on offer too and staff were friendly!

Many thanks to the staff and friendly customers who made myself and my wife very welcome this afternoon after our (new) car broke down again. Four hour wait for a "recovery" vehicle which couldn't recover, only move from the dangerous location, beside the A229! Also thanks due to Streamline taxis who were prompt.