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After your stroll round Penshurst Place where better to take some refreshment than the Spotted Dog, a traditional weather-boarded old pub, renowned for its panoramic views over the Weald. The whole place reeks of antiquity and the large garden will seat up to 350 if need be, and it quite often does for the pub itself is not big. The blackboards list such delicacies as wild boar sausages, heart-warming soups, splendid steaks and vegetable curries. There is a good choice of wine, with house wine at £9.65.

The Bottle House was built in 1492, during the reign of Henry VII. In 1806 it commenced its new purpose in life as an alehouse and by and large has not looked back since. The menu offered today is extensive and good value - it might be even better if there was some reduction in the coverage, concentrating on a smaller range of dishes. There is some slight concern when a menu item is labelled 'authentic'. A start perhaps with the goose liver and Sauterne wine mousseline before moving to the stuffed fillets of lemon sole wrapped in Strudel pastry, though the younger members of the party might go for the local Speldhurst sausages served with good old chips and beans. In addition to a good wine list there are well-kept Larkins and Harvey ales on tap.