The Good Intent Public House in Maidstone

I've wanted to visit this pub for quite a while now and ended up going just before Halloween. On entering, I didn't expect to see such a wonderful array of ghostly and ghoulish decor - amazing - I wonder why they don't advertise this locally? The pub was quiet but was given a warm welcome by the locals and bar staff. The lunch menu was written on the chalkboard above the bar, offering very reasonably priced filled jacket potatoes and baguettes as well as a decent selection of beers and wines. The pub is dog friendly and mine felt right at home there! Will definitely return....

Excellent food and friendly service food was out of this world recommend anyone to visit this pub for a friendly atmosphere

A lovely lunch. Great food and very friendly staff - would definitely be coming back again. Very reasonable prices too.

We went to the good intent as its local to where my daughter lives. We were not disappointed the waitresses were attentive, and the roast dinner was lovely and the children cleared their plates.

Booked a table for 6 at 1.30 Saturday 19th. Every other pub around me was fully booked so perhaps there was a clue. Pub looks good from the outside, always seems busy and often thought about calling in. Arrived, bar comfortably furnished in traditional style and well attended. Seated in the conservatory, admiring the cobwebs and presented with a menu, most of which was unavailable so the choice - cod and chips, scampi and chips or ham, egg and chips. Meal okish bit oily but ok. We asked for the desert menu waitress said it’s ok I remember it. You can have spotted dick with custard or ice cream or Eaton mess. We paid and came home. A disappointing experience which we will not be repeating. Sorry Good Intent!

Hidden gem, friendly pub, such great value for money. So many of these local down to earth pubs disappearing, this is one of the best !

Lovely friendly staff and clientele. Our first visit and will not be the last. Food tasty and dining area clean and comfortable.

Excellent pub. Nothing is too much trouble for the bar staff. Friendly and welcomeing. Meals are fantastic. Berr is superb. Nice too see a good local pub.

I have visited this establishmen many times. The food is always lovely, both take away and eating in. the pub is a cozy locals hangout and is very welcoming. It is situated on a village green, with spectacular views across the Medway valley and beyond.

Went for a drink, walked out as the bar was not practising social distancing. Locals sat at the bar, wouldn't have been able to get to the bar without pushing past someone. Very poor & not to be recommended from a virus security point of view,

Admittedly we arrived after it had closed for the day due to carpet cleaning so we sat in the park to enjoy the views. Turns out though it wasn’t closed after all as we have seen lots of others, we assume local people, served drinks. Shame really but we have just assumed this is a pub that only really caters for local people.

Situated on a hilltop with far-reaching views, this is a justly popular hostelry. It's a long slog for a walker up Charlton Lane from the valley below, but it's worth the effort. (If you are coming from the Medway Valley walk, take care: the crossing of the narrow ancient road bridge is very dangerous, as there is no pavement, or indeed on the stretch of road from there up to East Farleigh). I was pleased to find the pub overflowing with customers on a sunny Friday afternoon. The conversation was convivial and everyone seemed to be in a good mood in the cosy low-ceilinged bar. It was warm inside but nobody seemed to care. There are narrow olde-worlde fake beams on the ceiling. Opposite the pub is a neatly mown green, dotted with widely spaced picnic benches. It's a pleasant sight after the uphill walk. The staff were friendly and extremely considerate. The fish and chips were splendid. The batter was light as a feather, the salad fresh. The chips were tasty but I think had been cooked twice, which some people prefer but I would rather not. Either way, they were very tasty. There is a boat in the car park, like the Ark perched on Mount Ararat, which seems like a mascot and a symbol of hope. This pub doesn't need good reviews as it is so popular, but for those who like to try new country pubs, I heartily recommend it.

I've been visiting the Good Intent for years, because both the staff and the locals are so friendly, and the food has always been very good. They've recently started doing a Fish and Chips Friday (every Friday). I tried it the other night and I can honestly say I have never had better!!! The potion of Cod was much thicker then you normally get, with lovely big chunks, and the batter was lovely and crisp. The chips were traditional thick cut (something you rarely see these days) and it all came with a generous portion of mushy peas. Based on this, I can't wait to try the Chilli Thursday the Curry Saturday.

A proper locals pub awaits those that have ventured past the Tickled Trout and the Bull Inn and somehow made it to The Good Intent. The locals and staff offer a warm welcome as the latter fumble for a menu. There is a specials board for those wanting something more interesting. However, It doesn’t matter what you order the results are the same. The food preparation lacks the care it deserves. Food that is marked as “home made” has probably been made in someone’s home and probably made that day. It’s frustrating and somewhat laughable to see food made so poorly. If you are hungry, take my advice and go to one of the other pubs in the area. Pay money into the pockets of chefs that respect their craft.

No pie of the day so ordered burgers - came between two slices of toast! Tough as old boots burger and bacon. Avoid like the plague!

My 80 year old mother brokedown outside the good intent, she was immediately welcomed in by both the staff and the locals, helping get in contact with me, and looking after her until I arrived. This is a fantastic pub to while away the time waiting for a tow truck, with a roaring log fire helpful and friendly staff. This made what could have been a horrible experience into a very pleasant one. Many thanks to all.

Booked a meal here for some of our walking group last Saturday - good, interesting pub food, just the right level and served quickly and efficiently. We felt very welcome, as did picnickers who came in from the Green for a drink. Perfect location, great views and friendly relaxing atmosphere. After the lunch, landlady Pauline went the extra mile in helping someone who had left their bag behind. A really good experience.

Loved the location of this pub, overlooking the green with tables outside at the front. Lovely outlook. We had a fab proper Sunday lunch with choice of meat and a huge dish of vegetables to serve yourself as much as you wanted. Could have filled the plate again. Excellent value too at an amazing £7.95 per person. Wow. We’ll be visiting again soon. Super friendly.

Lovely pub food was delicious and had fantastic service xx would definitely recommend this pub and we will visit again xxx

We have eaten here 4 times now, one a Sunday roast, the others just ordinary lunches.

Stopped off after river walk for lunch. Delightfull people, helpful friendly without being over-attentive. The food was spot on vegetables well cooked meat, plenty of. Would highly recommend.

Absolutely lovely clean beer! Cracking garden! Top notch classic pub! Sunshine and beer, what more can you want!

My sons took their mother and myself to the good intent for mothers day lunch, we thought we would give it a try after reading the reviews, we were not dissapointed, although the outside of the pub needs a bit of a face lift when you walk in the door you are met with a cosy old english pub with real fire and instantly warm welcome by all the staff ,we all had roast which was well cooked and plentifull followed by dessert, very fairly priced , staff were attentive to the right degree and cheerful i would recommend this pub to anyone passing the vicinity, we will certainly be going back.

We decided to stop by with our large dog on the way home and were blown away by the warmth and friendliness of the staff and the locals! Being a Sunday afternoon, it was busy in the pub but everyone was cheerful, chatty, taking an interest in our dog and not minding his size!

Like all pubs it goes quiet on arrival especially since this is a locals pub. But it does have a friendly atmosphere and the service is second to none. We ate and all had a good meal with very good portion size. I had white bait to start followed by fish and chips. Too much oil and I felt it later, alka seltzer sorted it.

Had a couple of hours to kill before a family lunch in a local resturant, I was astounded by the service I practically had a drink in my hand before I entered.

This was the 1st time that we have visited this pub, it wont be the last. We had fantastic service from the 2 ladies behind the bar, both doubling up as our waitresses. We had 2 of the Sunday lunches which were superb, big portions that were very tasty, there were smaller versions of the menu for the children.

Brilliant pub very friendly staff and great roast dinners Lovely view too prices are good for food and drinks kids love going here as there's a green and a park

It is not a swanky post place but it has wonderful atmosphere the staff are friendly but not in your face. Highly recommended. We did not go here for food only a social event.

The pub is in a lovely setting overlooking the village green and superb kids' play area, with good views over the surrounding countryside.

Visited this pub today for a family meal to celebrate my birthday.