Brewers Fayre - Castle Lake in Tonbridge and Malling

I need to do this quickly before it becomes irrelevant. I've seen other reviews criticising the condition of this restaurant recently. Those reviewers probably weren't aware that the owners (Whitbread) are closing it in two weeks! Consequently, my review isn't so much about the building or the food as it it about the staff. I was there on business which meant dinner on arrival day and breakfast on departure day. Because it's closing soon, choice was limited so that's not really open for discussion. In reality, I had the same dinner meal I'd had at a London branch a couple of days earlier. This was SO much better!! It really was - and I properly enjoyed it. Nothing to fault in any way. What struck me though was the attitude of the staff - all of whom will be out of work in two weeks - they were amazing!! I can't get over the manner, the attitude, the buoyancy and the general ambience around them. Amazing under the circumstances and it wasn't limited to one or a select few - it was something shared across the entire team. Beyond that, the morning crew were very much the same (though different people). I can't comment on the decision to close - that's a commercial decision for the owners - but if you operate a hospitality business anywhere nearby, slip in for a meal and if you agree with what I found, hire some of these people. You're unlikely to regret it! There's little point in saying more because as I've said, in two weeks' time, it's all over but if this goes anyway to helping any of that amazing team of people move on, it will have been worth my writing!!

Staff super friendly but premises could do with a bit of a deep clean. Some of the windows are filthy. Food mediocre but oK and filled a hole. We were a family with older teens. What did raise my eyebrows was female staff members effing and jeffing _ literally within ear shot. Ladies, you may be on on your break but please don't sit in the nook opposite the bar screeching the F word. I can have a potty mouth indoors but verunbecomung and unprofessional in front of customers

I was very impressed with both the service received here and also the great gluten free menu! Staff very friendly and welcoming and food was good pub grub and the fact that the menu has great GF choices is an absolute bonus - you don’t always get good GF food in premier inn attached bars/restaurants☺️

Sorry to hear that not only is Castle Lake, our local pub, closing down but so are so many others nearby we enjoy visiting for a bite to eat. The friendly team and value for money offered here is outstanding. En route home from doing the school run with our little grandson, for example, a tasty steak hear has always been the pick me up we’ve needed. Wishing all the lovely people who’ve looked after us over the years the very best of luck in the future. Thanks for all your hard work.

I was staying at the Premier Inn next door and decided on the meal deal. I wasn’t greeted at the podium but shouted by bartender to pick a seat. Did that, ok no huge deal. I chose from the Menu and went to the bar to order food. I was then told the items I’d chosen carried a surcharge. I was ‘common knowledge’ Ok, I chose something else that didn’t. When the starter came, I’m glad I had my glasses on as it was tiny. The main course came and basically you could tell it was packaged food heated up. The chips way over fried too and some were solid carbon. The portions were again minute and although I’m not slim, this wouldn’t satisfy my little puppies hunger. It’s not like the prices are low. The drink is flat too. I’ll give it a miss next time and suggest you do too. There’s many a restaurant better that would be worth the drive.

Food was ok, came out pretty quickly. We did however have to change our drinks as our cokes just tasted like carbonated water. ( Twice they had to be changed) The staff are friendly and the restaurant it's self was clean and tidy despite being full of young families. The toilets however were very unclean. Toilet paper absolutely everywhere all over the floor. The kids do love the soft play though which you have to pay extra for

Alround this was a most enjoyable experience especially as we were five adults and four young children . The food was good and reasonably priced and the service was excellent particularly from Lorraine who was efficient and friendly.The children were two girls of two year a boy of one year and a baby. The older children loved the play area and it made for a great time for all of us. Many thanks

Came here for Sunday lunch with friends. It’s a fairly decent pub with plenty of parking, there’s also a softplay too which is good for the kids. The food was ok, the service wasn’t the best as it took ages for plates to be cleared and the place seemed a bit dirty. I’m not sure if I would return here

Vicki and Beth were amazing service was outstanding and the food was great we all had stake and chips with peas and pepper corn

I often pop in and use the pub at breakfast time to work and have a coffee/breakfast, Lorraine often looks after me and is brilliant!

Arrived at 4pm with our Grandchildren. Ordered food for 4 people and paid. Order arrived minus one of our grandchildren's meals, waitress said only 1 child meal ordered and paid for. Unfortunately the receipt provided does not indicate your order, only the total of the bill. Said we'd have to reorder. I did this and returned to a now COLD meal!! We had finished our meal when my grandchildren meal arrived MINUS CHEESE!!! Addressed this issue AGAIM with the waitress who investigated and returned saying "The chef said no cheese ordered so will need to order with cheese and pay"!!! Absolute shambles of a service!!!! This is the only tip I'm leaving them:- I strongly suggest the till staff actually LISTEN to what the customer is actually ordering and not what they think they heard...it wasn't even a very busy time period so no excuses!!

Absolutely horrendous place! The management is awful and she has no respect. Shouts in your face and waving her hands about for no valid reason, in front of my children and other customers. She is not capable of fulfilling her role as a manger and should not be a figure her staff look up too. She’s everything that is wrong with this industry. We were subject to her abuse and customers next to us were in total shock and couldn’t believe her behaviour. The owners of this place should seriously consider her position.

Such a lovely setting, surrounded by tree's. When we arrived at the restaurant we were greeted by a lovely lady who immediately showed us to our table and she explained how to order the food and drinks. Once we had made our food and drink choices I went to the bar and ordered it. The young lady who served us was extremely helpful and friendly and she was able to make my elderly friends drink with alternative vodka. We chatted whilst she was serving me and she made me feel welcomed. Overall all of the staff were really helpful and friendly.

This was the third time l had brought my singing group here for a meal and get together. There were thirty of us so l had pre-ordered. As previously the food was excellent and all the meals came out smoothly with great service. Everyone had a really good time. We even had a good sing after dinner. Thank you everyone at Castle Lake for giving such lovely night out. We will see you again soon. Joe Shepherd Group Leader

I don’t have a single positive. Brewers Fayre you need to take a good look at this place. It is not being managed at all. I have never been so disgusted in a restaurant in all my life. Just dreadful. Rude. Dirty.

The staff are all way welcoming,vikie and the team always go out there way if there's any problems the food is what u pay for.

Stayed at the Premier Inn next door with breakfast included in the price and had a great experience in this Brewer's fayre - duty manageress went out of her way to make us feel welcome and accommodate our children. Breakfast was great with lots of options available (visited for breakfast on 09/02/2024)

Where do I begin! From the time we stepped through those double doors we were delighted with not only the how welcoming the staff were the whole time we were there by also with the quality of the food. We were a large table of 25 and the staff honestly couldn’t do enough for us all! The food was perfect, the cocktails were outstanding ! The whole experience was just FAB! We will be back to make a return!

Visited last night. Lovely experience, although very short staffed Helen and the rest of the team did their best to make it a pleasant experience. Worth a visit, although does get very busy at times

Castle lake is one of our favourite places to eat, we have been at least 5 times and will always return. Myself and my partner are working our way through the menu :) Staff always willing to find us a table and are so welcoming Great food for the price you pay :) even better I get money of with my blue light card

Having eaten here for the first time on Monday evening we enjoyed the food and service , we returned yesterday . This time was even better , we opted to go for vickys recommendations and was not disappointed ,the whole service staff are friendly and...

Come for sunday dinner, Nicola our waitress was so lovely that I would come back again. The lady on the host stand didn’t catch her name seemed very organised and friendly too. Would highly recommend to anyone, carvery was spot on, the chef who served...

The food is very good The staff are very friendly and welcoming I visited several times on my own and never felt awkward or out of place as well as with friends and had a lovely time

The food was amazing. The restaurant also has a big soft play area which you can eat in. Lovely staff. All round great place 😊

Great service as always, Helen is always very friendly and goes above and beyond. Thank you, looking forward to our next meal there

Got served by a lovely ( and handsome young man 😏) named Rufus who was extremely friendly and knowledgeable. WOULD COME AGAIN 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

What a lovely meal! Food was delicious, well presented and hot! Staff were lovely! Very attentive, friendly and efficient! Fast service in a lovely atmosphere! Extremely low prices for the quality of food and service! Restaurant and toilets were very clean! Well catered for families...

The Best Breakfast Amazing Friendly Service from Mel and Sharney great atmosphere will be going back very soon Service 100% Friendly 100% Great food Great Price Highly Recommended 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩

Couldn't of had better service. Vicky you were fantastic from the moment we arrived to finish. Making sure we had everything and just a great general laugh thankyou so much we will be back food was excellent. 👌👍

Dropped in for a late lunch with friends and whilst waiting for our food there was a power cut. Can’t be helped obviously. We were pretty annoyed about the prospect of not eating because we were starving by this point but, the staff were amazing....

Bad from beginning to end Bad attitude from the duty manager on arrival food cold or didn’t arrive More attitude from team Then we left. Never return

I traveled to England on my winter holiday from class and as i was visiting Leybourne to see family I stumbled upon this pub when I was exploring Kent. Rufus was a very good server, he cleaned tables well. i would visit this place again...

We visited here on the 13th January, it’s not the first time we have been here, usually some problems but nothing quite like what we experienced on this occasion!! Upon arrival my mother in law asked if the carvery was on to which a very...

Easy parking, no queues at all, clean venue, efficient staff if not overly cheerful. Vast menu to suit all. Sprouts were hard and they ran out of jam roly poly but all-in-all cheap and cheerful. Great coffee!

Always good for a cheap lunch on the lunchtime menu. But wish they would do something about the toilets.

Came in for breakfast on Christmas Eve with the family and it was so busy but the staff were brilliant and on top of everything. Well done to all we all left full and happy. I’d like to pass on my thanks to Mel who...

Awful . Raw parsnips , plastic in my food , dried up potatoes , ridiculously small kids portion sizes . Wasn’t allowed dessert as told to leave as our time was up ( even though half the restaurant was empty) . Paid for our kids...

Staying at Premier Inn for a business trip. Had breakfast at castle lake and was warmly welcomed by a lovely lady who talked me through how it all works as never been before. Even checked if I had any allergies. Very pleasant visit, breakfast was...

The welcome team member was friendly and the table in a good position. But….. The table was really really sticky despite being ‘cleaned’. We were a table of 8 and so two of us ordered for the table from different tills at exactly the same...

Sunday carvery was very disappointing. Luke warm. Beef very overcooked and dry. Brussels so hard I couldn't eat them. Roast potatoes not crispy. Mashed potato stuck solid to serving spoon. My daughter had a hair in her meal which completely put her off so she...

Lovely atmosphere and very friendly staff. Mel in particular was very welcoming and helped calm our autistic son before his lunch by providing activities to keep him occupied while we ordered

We arrived for breakfast at 7am on a Monday morning and were quickly greeted and shown to a table. The place was largely empty, just a few other visitors at this early hour. There is an all-you-can eat buffet with loads of choice, plus hot...

What a lovely meal! Food was delicious, well presented and hot! Staff were lovely! Very attentive, friendly and efficient! Fast service in a lovely atmosphere! Extremely low prices for the quality of food and service! Restaurant was very clean! Well catered for families too, with...

Met here on a Saturday evening for dinner and drinks. Sign on door said kitchen closing at 8 and bar at 10. The children behind the bar had no idea. 25 minutes to serve 8 drinks. We soon left. Stayed in hotel next door and...

Appalling service not helped by the attitude of lead staff. Only 1 member of staff taking orders and when asked by others if there were other staff avaoble to take orders the person front of house said ' not of you want glasses to drink...

We had dinner at Castle Lake yesterday evening. We were travelling back from Disneyland and stopped at the Premier Inn to break up our journey. We were with our two children aged 8 and 6. Our children were tired and hungry from travelling. Castle Lake...

Ospite di alcuni cari amici, di sabato mattina decidiamo di venire in questo posto per fare una sana, ricca ed abbondante colazione in stile inglese. Questo locale sorge proprio di fianco al Premier Inn Maidstone e ne condivide con esso il parcheggio ed altri servizi....

I tried to book a Christmas meal at lunch time today (19/10/23) using a 33% off voucher, which states to book before 31st October. I was told the only person who could do the booking for me does not start work until 3.00pm. So if...

Table was dirty with bits and very sticky, with used serviettes left on the chairs. Menus were sticky . Had we not be so hungry and with little ones needing food we would have left . Food was nice but luke warm, not hot in...

Excellent service, Chris Cook very impressed with quality of breakfast. Lots of variety. Excellent, clean and well thought nenu to please everyone

We stayed at the Premier Inn for 2 nights, Fri/Sat and had breakfast there Sat/Sun. This is a very tired place, there appears to have been no investment for at least 10 years. Despite advertised as breakfast starting at 7 am, nothing was available until after 8 am (both days). Nothing was communicated in the Premier Inn until Sat evening when a sign was put up in reception that breakfast wouldn't start until 8 am for Sat and Sun. At least we knew for Sun! The breakfast is a combination of self serve/continental more synonymous with a greasy Joe cafe but without table service. Basic is the best I could say about the breakfast, not the breakfast as advertised in the past by Lennie Henry. I definitely won't be going there again.

We were staying at the Premier Inn next door and booked a table for 8pm on a Friday evening. We shared a starter and had our mains; these came out at 20:54 (I happened to take a photo so know!). We went to order a dessert (approx 9.15pm) to share only to be told the kitchen closed at 9pm and the person making desserts had gone home. I've never eaten somewhere when the kitchen closes whilst people are having meals/there is no warning. There was nothing to share this when we booked, nothing when we ordered our food and nothing when our mains were brought over. As we left at approx half 9 to go back to the hotel next door, there was a table eating dessert on the way out - with ice cream, so somehow they got served. A little communication can go a long way! The food we had was good, the initial meet and greet was good, but a disappointing dinner after a long day and drive.

Don't even bother booking here, if you do you could end up regretting it like us and 10 other families. We arrived late the night before (10pm) and were told after 5 minutes kids aren't welcome after 8pm. Fair enough, said I would be back in 5 to take drinks to my room and upon my return they had locked the doors 40mins before their closing time. This morning I had breakfast booked at 7am, as we had a busy day ahead. The resturant was still closed and wasn't opening until at least 8am. I have never experienced such awful service from one pub. You expect better from a pub associated with a Premier Inn. Premier inn were awesome, issued full refunds bur this was them covering for a substandard Brewser fayre. Avoid at all costs, otherwise it could be you writing a similar review.

This is the first negative review I’ve ever posted but after visiting Castle Lake as regular diners my husband and I were so disappointed after calling in yesterday evening. We arrived at about seven-thirty to be told that the kitchen would be closing at eight due to staff shortages. No problem as we’d been promising ourselves steaks after a busy afternoon doing the school run and spending time with our little grandson. Settled at the table we were advised to find, my husband was then told as he tried to order our food that they were only cooking food for guests staying at the Premier Inn next door. A shame this wasn’t pointed out when we arrived asking for a table. Luckily for us there’s the very nice Old Rectory five minutes away so we had our steaks there and the bonus was it seemed to be newly decorated, a lovely place to relax after a busy time. Such a shame as we always loved going to Castle Lake especially when Nicola and her equally friendly sister are there.

As regular users of Brewers Fayre, Castle Lake, we would like to congratulate the chef Jason on the rump steaks just as we liked them cooked. Great meals and very friendly and helpful staff.

I stayed over night at the Premier Inn next door so experienced both dinner and breakfast at this pub. Firstly, the staff are very friendly and helpful but seem overworked and rushed. Dinner was acceptable if a little bland. Breakfast is a mix of self service Continental, and cooked to order so should be pretty good. The orange juice appeared to be orange squash, so not the best start. The fruit salad is served in bowls only slightly wider than the coffee cups, You can actually fit more in a coffee cup so that’s worth remembering. Onto the cooked breakfast, ordered and delivered quickly, the bacon was quite good and the beans reasonable, the scrambled egg however was an anaemic, inedible, vomit inducing slop, so that got left. A couple of chewy croissants later and I was on the road looking forward picking something up to eat on my way, I’m by no means a greedy eater but a good breakfast sets you up for the day - and this was sadly lacking. I understand that all businesses are tightening their belts but cutting staff numbers and cutting food quality is a false priority. Profiteering at its best. 2 Star rating for the hard working staff, 0 stars for the food.

Great Place to visit with kids. After visiting this place again after a long time it seems as food and drink has got better. Credit to the team and Management

Sharni dealt with our family throughout our whole time here. Nothing was too much trouble for her to make our experience here brilliant. She went above and beyond, made our lunch out really special!

My wife and I visited for an evening meal. We have many allergies between us, but Melissa was a fantastic host. She took time to explain our menu choices and listen to our concerns. She was thorough, clear, friendly and very helpful. All of the...

Been coming here over many years to stay at the Premier Inn. Must say the food the last couple of times has been amazing. Great service from the staff especially the manageress who checked every table to see if everyone was happy with the food....

We came along for breakfast and my son to play in the children’s area, we were the only ones I. The children’s section and the lady that looked after us ( Sharnie) sorry if I’ve spelt it wrong, was AMAZING she was so helpful and...

My wife and I recently took our son here for his 5th birthday. We booked ahead as there was 9 of us. When we arrived the table had been set out with party banners and balloons. The waitress had really made an effort to make...

Great place to take the kids so they can play and you can eat your breakfast/ food in peace! All you can eat breakfast for £9.99 and 2 kids eat free - Greta value during the cost of living crisis! And it’s was only a...

Good food choice. Lovely staff, who definitely made a huge contribution to the relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Would recommend to others and will definitely be back.

Castle Lake is our regular place to visit for a well cooked, reasonably priced meal. Tonight we had a very tasty couple of steaks on one of the busiest times we’ve seen here. The team coped so well, Nicola went out of her way to...

Fantastic as usual. The staff were lovely and friendly, Nicola our waitress was lovely and couldn’t do enough for you, all of the other staff were pleasant too! There was 8 of us and the food all came out at the same time, very quickly...

Used the restaurant for dinner and breakfast while staying at Premier Inn as my employers book with the meal deal voucher. Was quiet on a Wednesday evening, was given main menu but normally there is another menu for those on a meal deal (details of...

After my last visit a while ago this place has certainly improved both staff wise and food wise. The staff were extremely pleasant and the food was much better than my last visit. They were painting the outside woodwork which was being done by the...

We arrived for Sunday lunch with our 2 toddlers After discovering there was a play area we could eat in and watch the children play, we ordered carvery which was amazing. Ellie in the play area was brilliant very helpful with the children who loved...

Dined as a couple 18:30 Sunday 14th may 2023 The restaurant was not busy, and I was looking forward to the carvery. But that was soon knocked on the head, when I saw the offerings. 3 small pieces of beef, 1 small piece of gammon,...

Omg just had breakfast here and all I can say is the breakfast was the the best I’ve have ever eaten here, it was amazing, well done to Jason your scrambled egg was bang on the bacon was just like how I like it thank...

Sorry to have to say the food was not good, the staff serving were fantastic. We ordered 4 x Haddock and chips, the fish was so dry and overcooked, I should have taken a photo as my wife's fish was thin and brown where it...

Absolutely lovely experience - staff really helpful and attentive, very clean restaurant. When we walked in we were greeted by management with a smile, very good experience

Been here a few times. The last few months have been very nice here due to the new management and staff.

visited castle lake on Saturday and took 2 young grandsons so they could play in soft play area but this wasn't possible as it was full and no one was leaving, overheard a member of staff having a go at another saying people are staying...

Our family, parents and grandchildren, came here for a birthday celebration. The soft-play area was great for our grandkids before our meeting time.The menus for adults and children are very comprehensive. I had experience of slow service on a previous visit...BUT the drink service and...

Walked in for breakfast this morning and was greeted by Toni, was seated and orders taken promptly breakfast was great the poached eggs where not very runny but was still nice all the same. Toni was very attentive and chatty would highly recommend

Staff was short a 40 minute wait for the food it was ok then they said the soft play was full but more and more kids went in there it was not a great experience for kids because all of them where bored and then...

table was small and cramped for a group of 8 people, food was very slow and seemed a lot had been forgotten and not very nice when it had arrived, tables where sticky and the ladies toilets where disgusting one missing a toilet seat the...

Very friendly, service was amazing food was a delight staff was very friendly and interactive with us and our daughter! Thank you very much! Trish and Vickie was great!. Definitely made our easter meal much more pleasurable 😌

An excellent experience from start to finish. Vicky and the team welcomed me almost like a family as soon as I sat down and made sure I had everything in needed and went the extra mile to make sure I was comfortable. I’ve had a...

Service was quick and the food was very tasty. The restaurant looked clean and was comfortable. The staff, especially Vicky were very attentive to our needs. Highly recommended.

Had a really amazing meal. All the staff, especially Vicky, were very attentive and engaging in laughter with us. The atmosphere of the restaurant was clean and welcoming

Mother’s Day celebration with 9 family members including 2 children. On arrival at 12 told we had the table for 1.5 hrs as 600 guests were expected - although we stayed 3 hours and were not asked to leave. The table was sticky and food...

Really disgusted and appalled with castle lake today. Had a booking for ten people for Mother’s Day Sunday and when we turned up, a male worker said the booking wasn’t showing up on their systems so we couldn’t be seated. We had a booking reference...

Pleasant staff very helpful today especially Daniel at the bar. A really nice young man who appears to like working with you. He doesn't have a name badge yet ? I asked his name so I could review him on Trip Advisor. Kerry and Nicola...

I never leave bad reviews but I have to after visiting here for breakfast on a Sunday morning. Don’t waste you money. Rude male worker serving behind the till. They’d run out of multiple items on the breakfast menu. No coffee. Yet they charge you...

We had a great time at castle lake. Brilliant venue and well catered. Really good food sent out quickly. Kids loved it. They had the whole play area to themselves. Thankyou to Lauren who decorated the whole area and was very helpful and attentive throughout....

We had a table of 8 booked on a Saturday night. Pub was busy when we arrived and got busier but that was fine as it was a Saturday. We ordered our food and it arrived at our table in pretty good time, especially considering...

I'm a regular visitor to castle lake mainly evenings but I have had the occasional breakfast. Not one to complain and actually never do, but I've got to say that when I visited the other evening I couldn't believe my ears or eyes. The small...

Busy does not excuse poor basic customer service!! Waiting time - no communication Run out of items on menu - no communication Poor table clearing Staff on tills to young to serve alcohol Dangerously high levels of children in the soft play, no overseeing staff...

Booked a table for breakfast with a few friends. Toni greeted us and was very helpful. My full English was cooked to perfection. The restaurant was nice and clean.

We have been visiting here for about 5 years and although it is convenient, the food can be well below par, almost all of it is just heated up ready meal style, often cold and we have found the place to have dirty cutlery, tables,...

Honestly the worst meal and experience I've ever had. I booked online and tried calling the pub 23 times between booking and arriving with no response. I contacted head office who were no help at all, just told me to keep trying. When we arrived...

Popped in for a quick breakfast and was blown away! The food was hot when arrived and was clearly cooked to order, the restaurant was nicely decorated. The male manages was very helpful. We will definitely be returning.

Booked table 1445 got showed to the table by the manager with an attitude then go up to order the carvery at 1450 to be told that there's no more carvery left when clearly there was loads waiting to be served complete joke piss take...

After a normal day I passed Castle Lake and decided to pop in with my 3 year old as it has a soft play. Never again. I’d had a good experience last year but my two visits since have been terrible. Today I have again...

Food was lovely and all the staff were helpful especially the manager he was very kind and accommodating when i needed something changes from my plate!

I visited with my family over the weekend - I can’t see what some of the bad reviews are about! I found the restaurant to be very clean & all the staff I encountered on my visit were welcoming. Nothing was too much trouble (even...

Lovely food and quick and great friendly service and children loved the play area, will definitely be going back.