The Dering Arms in Ashford

Lovely food, fantastic waitress, good host. It was quiet maybe due to the lack of heating which is the only negative

Dering Arms was outstanding and Jim made us feel very welcome. The fish was excellent and the wine even better! Will be coming back.

We got married on Halloween and our mini 2 day honeymoon was spent staying in one of the extremely well-appointed upstairs B&B bedrooms. We wanted peace, quiet, and tranquility. That is precisely what we got. A complete reset! From the moment we arrived, Jim the owner was at the front door and greeted us with a warm welcome, and throughout our stay he went out of his way to make sure that our stay was the best. The room was lovely, bed was super comfy and all the essentials were in our room. Everything was clean, and very welcoming. Breakfast was delicious, several choices on breakfast menu - We opted for cooked and it didn’t disappoint! If fish is your thing then this is the spot for you. We didn’t eat there as fish isn’t our thing but we have to say - It smelled amazing and the food on menu did look lovely. We did spend part of our first evening downstairs in the bar, which we found to be relaxing, welcoming and friendly which was just what we needed. The wine list - Where do I start?! Amazing choices and Jim clearly knows his stuff. We truly felt like guests in Jim’s home, and the passion for everything he does shines through by way of his hospitality and the way he runs his business. Old school hospitality is very difficult to find these days, and we definitely found it here in Jim’s hidden gem. Five star hospitality and service all round - We will be back 😊

What a shame that the main man was so miserable - he really looked like he didn’t want us there. Sad as food was good but he was abrupt and unwelcoming. Only 3 tables full but he was unfriendly and short with us. We tried so hard with him but…….

I saw and amazing car show on these grounds.

Excellent meal here today! Incredible, historic building and very friendly welcome. Food was EXCEPTIONAL!! Truly fantastic fish, prawns and desserts. We were really happy with our meal. If only we lived closer - we would be here often!!

Pushing the door of the Dering arms is entering another world. Don’t expect to be treated here like in many other places : you are not only a customer you are a guest ! You do not enter a restaurant you enter a home with a real soul. The owners live on the first floor and they are happy to welcome you in their home. The man serves in the dining room, his wife is the cook in the kitchen. The food is a unique experience : I never had before such perfect cooked fishes. Try the grilled Cornish sardines they are exceptional. We had the plaice and the skate wing. Perfectly cooked and dressed with fresh butter. You won’t find here what you find in the other pubs. Nobody cooks the fish as they do. The owner goes himself to choose the best fishes available at the sea side. You can feel the difference. The building is very pleasant , a bit old fashioned as we love it . If you think you deserve it, please go to the Dering arms, but only if you deserve it because I do believe that not everyone deserves to live such a gastronomic experience…it is a sort of privilege Thank you

Another lovely evening at this charming pub. We have been a few times over the past 2 decades and have never been disappointed. The food was absolutely delicious and the wines are absolutely top notch. Thanks again to the landlord and chef

Rude welcome from the outset. Not interested in making us feel welcome with a dog. Felt like bringing told off at school. We had one drink and left without ordering any food which is what we’d gone for. Unfortunate start to our holiday. Went to the Rose and Crown nearby and couldn’t have been a more different experience.

Don't be put off by other negative reviews. I wasn't, I read the positive ones and decided it was the place to try. The pub is a home full of character. We called before as in the area and were greeted with a positive welcome. Our meal was cooked to order, with a passion for food. Sardines were large cooked perfectly with rosemary, bread was warm and soft. Sea bass was meaty laid on samphire with a lobster and mussel bisque (clearly homemade from lobster shell stock, yum) lovely new potatoes and fresh veggies. Just about room for dessert, we had apple sultana laced with calvados on a homemade shortbread disc with ice cream. Finished off with a lovely coffee and homemade biscuit. The meal was hot and remained so while eating a good sign of being cooked fresh and not left on a hotplate. The owner is the chef and on reading information about the Dering Arms he's had the building since he was 27 and now plans to retire....it will be a great loss for the area. The landlord buys fish and seafood each week from the coast and adapts his specials board to what's in season. He has reasonable room hire for b&b. Call him first to ensure it's serving, and he's still the chef! Slight threshold step if you're disabled.

Don't be put off by other negative reviews. I wasn't, I read the positive ones and decided it was the place to try. The pub is a home full of character. We called before as in the area and were greeted with a positive welcome. Our meal was cooked to order, with a passion for food. Sardines were large cooked perfectly with rosemary, bread was warm and soft. Sea bass was meaty laid on samphire with a lobster and mussel bisque (clearly homemade from lobster shell stock, yum) lovely new potatoes and fresh veggies. Just about room for dessert, we had apple sultana laced with calvados on a homemade shortbread disc with ice cream. Finished off with a lovely coffee and homemade biscuit. The meal was hot and remained so while eating a good sign of being cooked fresh and not left on a hotplate. The owner is the chef and on reading information about the Dering Arms he's had the building since he was 27 and now plans to retire....it will be a great loss for the area. The landlord buys fish and seafood each week from the coast and adapts his specials board to what's in season. He has reasonable room hire for b&b. Call him first to ensure it's serving, and he's still the chef. Slight threshold step

The car festival is great. It’s obviously the best pub in Pluckley.

Lovely area fantastic old building

This place is a gem of authenticity. Look out for the Kent marble on the floor. The quality of the food exceeds that of some top London restaurants I've been to. The landlord is well worth talking to - has an excellent knowledge of the history of the area.

We just went for lunch. All fish and seafood we ordered was delicious and service was perfect. Lots of character on this pub.

We popped into this pub on a sunny Sunday afternoon and as soon as we walked in we felt very uncomfortable and unwelcome. We had a dog on a lead but was told I presume from the landlord in a very blunt manner to take our dog through to another section on the pub, even though there are no signs anywhere to say no dogs. Fortunately she's extremely well behaved. Anyway we took our drinks outside drank them and left never to return. There's no atmosphere and downright unpleasant experience.

Extremely unpleasant and rude landlord!

Popped in for a quick drink with my family when we were visiting the area this afternoon. Knew I'd walked into a good pub when I saw the pile of Classic & Sports Car magazines on the bar! Very well kept pint of Goacher's Dering Ale. Nice chap behind the bar and spotlessly clean loos. Will be back for one of their advertised classic car meetings and to try the food!

Anazing food and great recommendations on the wine from the landlord. I thoroughly recommend this as a go to venue..

Another wonderful night spent at The Dering Arms. We had the warmest of welcomes from the owner, the evening meal was delicious, the fish is amazing! The whole ambience of the place is pleasant and relaxing, making for such an enjoyable experience. The beds are so comfortable! Breakfast is a hard choice, I wanted everything on the menu! Unlimited tea and coffee, homemade jam and marmalade, the Full English was lovely, especially the sausages! Really enjoyed chatting to the owner after breakfast, lots of history about the village, he is a very engaging host. Already looking forward to going there again.

Beautiful building and very inviting. Food was outstanding. Jim and staff were very pleasant and attentive. Customer service was 10/10. We will definitely be visiting again. We really enjoyed our evening.

Valentines meal was outstanding! We would definitely recommend. Jim and staff are very courteous. We will see you all again very soon!

Classic cars on every second Sunday always has a good turnout with some rarities modern and old

Beautiful pub with friendly staff, fabulous food & a wine list to die for. Ideal place for a quiet meal. Can’t wait to go back.

Beautiful food and beautiful mansion! You can see the owner really cares about where the food is sourced. I was a bit skeptical a bit before reading the review, however I think the service is actually really good and honest. Would recommend.

This is an awful pub the owner is grumpy and rude and hates kids so much that he doesn't let them go in part of the pub and he doesn't light the fire for anyone

Great food, old fashioned pub, great character, amazing building. Fantastic Fish & steak, really good chicken liver starters. Will definitely be coming back

Had Christmas lunch at dering arms. We were a late booking but were made to feel comfortable and welcomed. Good atmosphere, friendly staff and a welcome Christmas lunch. All around a great afternoon

I'm been there fine it to dear the land lord need talk nice to people after costs off coffee I'm had 1/2 a glass of of orange juice he charged me £4 and he was bit rude I'm was with a lot off people party birthday I'm hear had to pay for birthday cakes that bad with people I'm pay good money going. Ther to it was cold he didn't lit fire and I'm here some off the people was cold the land lord not say anything that not good business ther some pub in Rose and Crown and the George Eg are good pub go to then go to dearing Arm pub by the station wher you get nice lovely lady land lord that see you at home and the food cheaper

What a great find. Unique and quirky building, unique and quirky but most welcoming landlord and wondertul food. We’ll be back.

We booked in for lunch here and upon arriving with warm smiles and greetings, were met in return with a very frosty reception from the chef. The place was bizarrely totally empty on a Saturday lunchtime, which should have been a clue. The man behind the bar was initially ok, not friendly but ok, with us. We ordered some drinks and nibbles to start in an atmosphere of eerie silence. Very awkward. It was also incredibly cold and they refused to light the fire. We were considering ordering mains but the man behind the bar then out of nowhere marched over and told us that if my friend’s child made any noise at all, we would have to remove the child out into the cold outdoors. This actually thankfully gave us an excuse to leave as clearly we couldn’t stay in a place that would require the child to be removed from the building… They were rude and surly from the minute we opened the door until we left. Not sure why they own a pub if they don’t want customers. Awful. We later learned from local friends that they’re known for being rude and mean and that’s why no locals go there. Not surprised! Try the Three Chimneys about 15 min away instead, so wonderful and warm and full of nice people and delicious food!

What a quaint and intriguing establishment. Upon arrival you are greeted with less embrace than those staying with her majesty's prison services. A wet and windy Saturday afternoon lead to an Arctic welcome. After shaking off the icicles cast from el patron, ordering a round of drinks felt like asking for extra ration tickets. What a miserable and unpleasant man, any semblance of hospitality long gone, demanding our child to go and stand out in the rain if they made any noise. Walking out the door was the best thing about this place. If you want a horrible experience this is the place to go!

If you're not from the 'upper' most upper class, you definitely won't be welcomed with dearing arms here. We came here for tapas, which is funnily enough the first thing you see advertised at the bar as you walk in. So we sat down, got given our menu's to find.. No tapas. So we enquired about this and were told "we don't always do tapas, especially when it's busy, like tonight and we only have one chef." Concidering it was a Saturday evening you'd have thought maybe they'd have been prepared for 'busy' luckily apart from a couple of people in the drinking area at the bar, we were the only ones in the dining area eating. (this will make sense later) After ordering.. Well not tapas.. The only thing I can give credit for is that out meals came out relitivley all at the same time. My steak was cooked to my liking but very chewy, as was my friends cut of lamb, half of which inedible because it was just a wobbly white piece of fat. Side dishes are expensive for what they are, I paid £3.95 for a side of new potatos, to my shock when they arrived, there were only 4. The bill was set out in an incredibly inconvenient and confusing way splitting the bill into sections of what we had such as 'mains' 'bar drinks' and 'coffee's' so if you want to go in a large group and pay separately, make sure you're adding up as you order so you're not left with the math homework for desert. We came to Pluckley, the most haunted town in Britain, to look at some of the landmarks with hauntedstories as a fun night out to learn a bit more about Pluckley's history. On the way out of The Dearing Arms, my friend asked the landlord (who had been huffing, puffing and sighing all night) if he had any stories around the hauntings in Pluckley to which he replied and I quote "oh that stuff in nonsense here say we don't believe in all that" as if we'd offended him. I'd suggest if you're going to own a restaurant in Pluckley, the most haunted town on Britain, you'd maybe prepare yourself for such questions as many people come to Pluckley for it's haunted history. A simple "I'm not sure" would've been adequate and a lot less rude. After a nice time in Pluckley I can say the lack of people skills from the staff at The Dearing Arms was the scariest thing we experienced that night. If feeling like you're being looked down apon isn't your cup of tea, I'd suggest spending your time elsewhere.

Absolutely fabulous. Freshly caught, mackerel, sea bream and halibut. Cooked beautifully. Selection of wines were great, including dessert wines. Oranges in cointreau and caramel with cream - what a wonderful dessert. 10 out of 10.

Beautiful pub but incredibly rude landlord. We stopped off here for a quick drink on our walk, and the landlord was very cold, despite us being very friendly with him. We ordered a latte and an espresso. His response was very aggressive, he said “this isn’t Starbucks, white coffee or nothing”. It was terrible packet coffee and we paid 8 bloody quid for it! Absolute joke.

Best Rib-Eye steak I ever had. Choose the garlic butter.

Beautifully located village pub in an old hunting lodge. Oozes character and history and has a lovely, sunny pub garden. We had halibut which was delicious.

Just stopped here after a beautiful walk through the orchards in Pluckley and I'm so glad we found The Dering Arms. The building is beautiful, full of character with a very inviting interior. We ordered a pint of local cider along with a Côte de Gascoigne white wine and sat down at our table. We didn't book but, luckily they had a table available for us. Our food was faultless. We ordered the potted crab on toast, and the chicken livers on toast... both perfectly cooked and seasoned. We then followed with the halibut with samphire that were on the specials board and oh my goodness... we loved every bite. Prices very reasonable for the quality of food served, and portions were perfect. We look forward to returning soon, thank you so much for a wonderful evening and excellent food!

Lovely quiet location, characterful building. Excellent food and service.

Whilst the food was delicious; the decor is extremely tired. It doesn't take much to give the walls a fresh coat of paint to make it feel fresher and more appealing. The hops round the bar are well over their use by date and as the pub is in Kent some new hops would make the whole ambiance much nicer. The service was slow. I did notice they were advertising for staff.

What a great place, haven’t been for a few years and was really pleased we chose to return and going to make it more regular. Ow. The ambience and building are great and the food exceptional….chicken liver starter!

Une bonne adresse pour boire manger et dormir dans une belle ambiance.

The dinner we had here was among the best meals I've ever eaten. The service, atmosphere and, of course, the food were all superb. We loved it!

We were greeted with great hospitality. The beer was lovely and we both had the duck which was perfectly delicious and cooked superbly. Delicious sticky toffee pudding. We loved everything. Thank you.💕

My first time coming and what an absolute treat! We were warmly welcomed when we arrived. We all enjoyed a delicious meal of various seafood: mussels, hake, halibut and fish soup. Breakfast in the morning was just what was needed after our evening meal: full english breakfast with unlimited coffee/tea, homemade marmalade that was delicious and homemade gooseberry jam! Doesn’t get much better than that!

Having lived in Pluckley for over 30 years, it was with some guilt that I realised that I have never left a review for the Dering Arms. My wife and I visited yesterday evening, and the landlord, Jim, told us about the last review where the guests had complained that their bill was a bit pricey, having tucked in to a bottle of wine costing £130. We all have our foibles. But make no mistake. This is a gem of a hostelry. To find a pub with this much character and charm just doesn't happen these days. The food, with an emphasis on fish, and the wines on the list, with an emphasis on quality, are consistently exceptional. And if you get talking to Jim he will give you a frank and accurate precis of what is on offer. My favourite white wine is a Macon Vire Clesse - luscious and rich - and great value. Last night we tried the Pernand-Vergelesses, which together with the fresh sea bass, was delicious. Starters and desserts are also always excellent. Dining here is a joy and a privilege, and if you get the chance to chat with chef Claire, do so because she is a delight, as are Mel and the other serving staff.

Fabulous dinner in a really pretty country pub. Staff were friendly, including the landlord! The menu is mainly for fish lovers but I'm not really one of those and I still had a fabulous meal. Would come back if in the area again

Came here for dinner with friends and the food was just okay, but really pricey (came to over £300 for four meal for two courses and wine). The lady who brought our meals was lovely, but the gentleman running the place came across as rude.

We've eaten here numerous times over the years and I have only just realised (after a run of disappointing meals elsewhere) that I've never left a review for the Dering Arms. It seems to me to be getting harder these days to find properly cooked food that is served in pleasant surroundings by people who understand their trade, but the Dering Arms offers a refuge to those wanting something better than is generally available in pubs and restaurants elsewhere. The pub is an interesting building and has a lovely atmosphere - even the more modern restaurant extension manages to almost match the charm of the original building - and it suits larger groups as well as having quiet corners for those dining alone or in pairs. As well as perfectly prepared seasonal food, the pub offers a good choice of wines and the Landlord is glad to offer the benefit of his knowledge to those needing a helping hand finding the right match for their meal. The ale is also well kept and always in good condition. Fish is a specialty. We are only occasional visitors as we live some distance from the pub, but it never fails to impress and we'd rather eat here than anywhere else.

A passionate owner and team. The chef and team are masters of local seafood from Folkestone and a broad range of French reds. The menu is not for the average mass produced pub meal (drive on if you want burger and chips). Alps not for family meals, big people only. Beautifully maintained with a wonderful feel. Maybe only a few couples or twenty. You will have a lovely evening with great food and wine.

Stopped into the pub, a converted Victorian hunting lodge, for a quick light lunch whilst house hunting in the area. Both my wife and I opted for the fish pie, washed down with a pint of Dering ale, a gorgeously quaffable bitter at a lunchtime approved level of 3.7%. The pie was one of the best I've ever had, full of various chunks of fish and prawns, topped with a delightfully creamy mash and grilled cheese. If you're in the area, give it a try. The menu is expansive, with the emphasis on fish, although other dishes are available. There are daily lunchtime specials, and prices for the main menu range from less than a tenner for a bucket of mussels, up to nearly thirty quid for a piece of halibut, the king of fishes. James Buss, the owner/proprietor, is running a little gem of a restaurant.

Popped in to this great looking pub, just by Pluckley Station, for a pit stop. As we were short of time we chose a few oysters and some Tapas. All the food was excellent and the welcome very friendly.

Great place, fantastic food, who needs a selection of beer when you have Goachers on tap. Great selection of fish dishes. Won’t disappoint.

We enjoyed the meal, but Jim the owner was off with us, short, and even rude. Seemed to have a bad attitude, not much choice of beer and IPA

I visited with friends and we all agreed it was the nicest food we have eaten in a very long time. Cooked to perfection! My compliments to the Chef and catering team, I hope they remain in place as we will be returning. A lovely...

I love this place. Solo lunch outside with a few glasses of Provençal rose and a delicious hake, crayfish and braised lettuce dish. Welcoming as always. Felt very privileged.

It would appear to be a country manor house and has retained all the lovely ambience of one. The wait staff are friendly and efficient. They strike that difficult balance between being available and ever present. There is a garden with picnic tables for dining...

This was a belated birthday meal for myself, we'd not been before but had always heard good things. I'm not really sure what's not to like, the food was really good, I had the seabass special which was cooked to perfection. All of the food...

Welcoming landlord Beautiful building Amazing food We visited with family for a 60th birthday celebration We will be back

My husband and I had never been to the Dering Arms before so we looked at the menu online. There wasn't a vegetarian option so I called and was told that they didn't do vegetarian food but the chef would find something to put together....

Me, my boyfriend and his family arrived at about 8.30pm for a few drinks (not our first choice) and we were rudely turned away by the landlord who was stood at the bar serving 4 other people. He stood and looked at us and said...

Second time we have visited The Dering Arms in just over a month. The menu is varied, but the main focus is fish which is well sourced and brilliantly cooked. The wine list is varied and full of some notable bottles, so well worth taking...

I am a regular customer of this beautiful place and only can say that nothing in the other places I’ve recently been can compare with there seafood meals! All of them are delicious and I enjoy it a lot every time I visit England ;...

I'm amazed to see negative personal reviews about Jim. I first visited The Dering Arms 35 years ago when I was working nearby. Jim was there then as was he when I spent my wedding night there 28 years ago and again to date. We...

Just got back from a drive into rural Kent and an excellent lunch at The Dering Arms. Superb venue with so many interesting features. The food was excellent. I can recommend the Provençal Fish Soup and the Sea Bass (on the specials board). My wife...

If this was a red letter “how to not run a business” experience then 5 stars. Unfortunately this isn’t, it’s a pub and hospitality is the name of the game, and the landlord just doesn’t want to play that game with you. Rude, Obnoxious, Avoid.

Fantastic fish selection. I had fried oysters for starter and skate wings for main absolutely wonderful. We will definitely be going back

Where to start ,been to the dering arms before and have had I lovely time,but on this occasion the the proprietor James Buss can only be described as 100% buffoon. As an owner of a business his people/ customer service skills where well below par,...

Do you like to be made to feel like you’re an unwelcome house guest when you go for dinner? Do you enjoy an obviously furious man looming over you and barking monosyllabic answers at you as you order your food, and then for it to...

We had lunch and an evening meal which was delicious l, it was totally outstanding. The wine menu is so vast and very reasonable priced. The landlord was so very helpful and we can’t wait to return. If you want great seafood/ fish you must...

Just been for lunch at this beautiful restaurant, great atmosphere, great service even the owner was serving us 😊 and really tasty tapas. Will be back again soon 😊

This is my 'go to' restaurant. So blessed to live here. Consistently superb dining, meal after meal, year after year. Having been fortunate to eat out all over, I still rate the Dering as one of the best. Although the Landlord knows us well, he...

My self and family have been using the Dering Arms since the 1980's we have always found James and his staff most accommodating and prepared to go above & beyond in delivering a 5 star service. I am now fortunate enough to have moved within...

Jim who is the owner, has always been known for his arrogant attitude. He’s basically rude and it doesn’t matter if you have been there once or multiple times, you are greeted with disrespect and just a downright rude attitude. Most people locally don’t go...

Great food and setting and the service was impeccable. An absolute pleasure to visit. We are so glad that this will soon be our local.

Quiet pub that is very well positioned for Plucklwy train station. Affordable and very tasty mussels. Nice wine and generous quantity.

Fantastic choice of fish dishes available. Other good choices on the menu too but we all chose fish. Each dish was first class. Great wine selection too. Service was excellent and the atmosphere was charming in this beautiful old building. Will certainly come back again.

Family supper for five tonight. No Enid Blyton but some fantastic fish; Prawns, Skate Wing, Dover sole and the best Tuna steak ever. The omega-3 benefit may have been eroded by the garlic butter but such is life. A great traditional pub (inc Landord) with...

Lovely place, we have stayed there many years ago and did enjoy our stay then. We drove past a few weeks ago and stopped for a quick drink. We contemplated staying for lunch as the menu looks amazing, but unfortunately had to dash. The place...

This beautifully situated gourmet restaurant is, without doubt, in a class of its own. The reception and hospitality from the owner and the staff and the meal to follow is almost unmatchable anywhere. We sat outside with our drinks to start with in the lovely...

The staff here gave a lovely warm welcome! We stayed for a drink and decided to have some food. The sea food here is lovely. If I’m ever in Kent again I would definitely be back :)

Excellent meal, with great service I had the sea bass followed by the sticky toffee pudding. The sea bass was cooked perfectly and very tasty. The staff were friendly, attentive and well informed about the dishes. Beautiful building and a very enjoyable evening.

My husband bought me here a few weeks back after hearing such good reviews, to say we where dispointed was an understatement , I ordered the fish and my husband the steak which was overdone, chewy and most awful, we paid extra for a few potatoes and another extra for vegtables which you would at least expect tiny bit of both with such small portions , my husband did mention this to the waitress but was ignored, we tried for some bread with another waitress serving at bar as the previous waitress had gone walk abouts , our bread never arrived...and we where ignord at the bar, summing up...rude staff, over priced , no atmosphere - much better restaurants local to this

Such a fantastic place, great ambience and the food and drink are amazing. The best Dover Sole I've ever tasted and a superb selection of quality wines to choose from. The owner and staff all really helpful, friendly and on top of everything. Totally recommended as a great night out for couples, friends and family. Definitely the best for miles around.

Just want to say a big thank you to James and his team for several fantastic occasions. In November we celebrated a 50th birthday with 15 family members, the food, ambience and service were amazing, Christmas Day dinner was probably the best we have ever had and such a relaxing day, no we need your table back by a certain time just a really relaxed great atmosphere, Boxing Day drinks again with family by the log fire and yesterday a wonderful Sunday lunch and bottle of wine, again wonderful food and service. If you love your wines & champagnes the list is a joy to behold. We will be back soon. Jacqui & Steve

I have done a review of the Dering Arms. on the hotel and talked about the wonderful food in that too. I think this is the best food to be found in any country pub restaurant in Kent/East Sussex. I had the most delicious large pan fried Rainbow Trout (!5.95) , but the game looked good too and the starter I chose was largte whole garlic prawns which were cooked to utter perfection.Even the fires were to die for and the specialist carrots cooked with butter and sprinled with toasted sesame. The cheesboard was brill - served with butter and only needed more and larger crackers. The slice of chocolate and chestnut truffle was so divine I thought I ahd died and gone to heaven. Very rich so a small slice provided and I had cream poured over it! Wow. Great choice of fish, game, vegetables - . The average three courses come to around £35 per head with vegetables extra. The priciest fish was Dover Sole or Turbot so if you choose that, it would be £28 or £35 alone for those. But there is also an excellent dish of the day at under £10 and home made soup. Today's was hot spiced tomato soup and my husband said it was delicious. Gorgeous historic victorian ambience with wood fire, great decor and choice of paintings on the wall, lovely shaped bar area, and a lounge area with leather sofas and chairs and a Christmas tree. A real find. Very welcomign owner and very pleasant helpful staff.

We popped in without a booking on a very busy Friday night. The landlord kindly found us a table and we were very thankful for this as our meal was superb. We had the Turbot and Bream off the specials board which were both outstanding. The Turbot would happily grace any restaurant menu in France where it is a speciality and go down with aplomb! The sticky toffee pudding for dessert was equally as good. Well done to the Dering team keep up the good work!

Have just finished another fine meal at the Dering! Honestly you won’t find a better meal in the wider area - that I promise you. Some reviews nit-pick incidentals, but what matters is the meal. And the food at the Dering Arms is fantastic!!!

Unless you are pescatarian - you get the feeling vegetarians are an unwanted pain - like dining out in the early 90’s - also very overpriced drinks

Had a fantastic meal here but I wish the service of the landlord had matched the quality of the food. Brusque and no customer service shown to us. I sensed he reserved that for regulars. Landlady was fine but overall felt clique and not overly welcoming to outsiders. Shame they did not offer a warmer welcome. It was not a cheap evening, so the customer service let them down in my view. £140+ for 2.

Took about 30-40 mins between courses. 4 times too much butter in everything. Nothing tasted amazing apart from the chips! Go for some chips and a nice pint!!

Had the most divine seafood platter last night at the Dering. Such a fantastic treat, to have seafood of this quality, on our doorstep! Lobster cooked to perfection. Served with warm bread and Home made mayo. Perfect.

We had an over night stop at the Dering Arms last Thursday evening.. As we drove up to the building it was so impressive, so full of character. .. When we walked in it was even more interesting. . and warm greetings all round. We were shown to our room ... the Sir Edward very cosy.After un packing we got our drinks and sat in the lovely garden ... till it rained. Our evening meal was fantastic. . starting with olives and warm cibatta bread. My husband went for the Ribeye Steak and I had the most delicious Wing of Skate. Sadly we were too full for dessert. We then went back in the garden to enjoy the rest of the evening. Next morning we both had a great Full English .. we were treated royally ....We hopefully will try to come again it's a lovely place to visit. Well done.

Went to the Dering Arms for lunch with my sister and husband. At first we were a bit worried that no one else was eating in the pub and it was very quiet, however we couldn't complain about a thing. Food was absolutely wonderful, especially the potted crab and lobster starter. Lovely staff and very good service. Price was also very good for everything we had

Chose the Derring Arms to meet friends because it was close to Pluckley Station. We had never been there before. What a pleasant surprise. We had the best gastropub food in years. Prawns in garlic butter and sardines to start and we all had the Onglet steak to follow. (There were also some very tempting fish dishes on the specials menu.) Absolutely delicious and perfectly cooked. Friendly staff too.

Took the mothers here for Sunday lunch and what a delight, probably the best pub restaurant in the area, excellent quality, nice atmosphere, great service and a lovely quirky pub. Another one on the favouritesame list...

Had dinner at The Dering Arms for our sons birthday and it was superb. The starters but plentiful with not the usual one piece of bread to mop up and beautifully presented. The pub itself is quirky with cosy seating, will be lovely in the winter when the fires are lit. We will definitely be back as it’s not far from us.

Ourselves and 2 other couples stayed 13 April 2019. From arrival reception was welcoming, rooms decent clean and all facilities. A welcoming bar with excellent real ale and fully stocked. Our meal was beautiful fresh with generous portions. A very comfortably overnight sleep, very good breakfast. Thoroughly recommended/

Lunch at the Dering Arms was exceptional for a Pub/Small Hotel. I won't comment on individual dishes as the menu changes, but everything was perfectly cooked and presented. The owner has a passion for seafood, and that was apparent - delicious! Everything is cooked to order, so dietary requirements are catered for without fuss. Good choice of wines, too. Really enjoyed the whole experience in this homely, comfortable setting and looking forward to our next visit.

Visited The Dering Arms with my parents last Saturday and had a great evening. Our meals were all delicious, my parents exclaimed it was the best meal out they have had for a long while!