The Horseshoe & Castle in Medway

We hadn’t booked but were able to be accommodated for Sunday roast and totally recommend sea bass and pulled pork It was very busy and I didn’t notice any plates with any food on it!

Pub looked lovely from outside so we popped in for a drink after long stretch of Saxon Way walk with the dog and asked about getting a taxi back to our car which seemed difficult so the barmaid offered us a lift back in her car at the end of her shift. What amazing hospitality and kindness! Will definitely be coming back to this pub when we resume our Saxon Way walk once more and will sample the food given the friendly service and great beer.

Searching around for a roast at last minute.com. Forgot about this gem of a pub had food here before and never been disappointed, but never a roast a bit dubious as there was a slot. Always sceptical with all roasts will aunt bessy be around? Well this is the best roast we have had for a long time when eating out. All local and fresh produce, nice friendly staff and reasonably priced. Will return.

We booked an outside table for our family birthday celebration and we were not disappointed in any way. The table was large and situated in a shady corner with grape vines growing above us.. Food was great mainly Sunday Roasts and the service was great. Will definitely be coming back.

Table of 8 with various requirements! All food was served hot and fresh. Serving staff lovely although we did witness one of the staff rolling her eyes at one request. Bar a bit cluttered but clean toilets and clean tables etc.

Lovely pub, great beer food was lovely, has been a few years since we visited last but will be back. Highly recommend

We booked in to the Horseshoe and Castle for an annual meet up with a group of our friends. The ambiance was warm and inviting and all of the staff went out of their way to ensure that we had a good evening. The Christmas meal was delicious and everyone in our group praised their selection. To avoid the drive/taxi home afterwards we had all booked accommodation, which was very clean and comfortable. The breakfast served the following morning was of an equally high standard experienced in our Christmas meal. Thanks to all staff we had a lovely evening, we will be visiting again.

Whent to the horseshoe and castle for a meal which is close to colling castle I say near its certainly not a walk but close by car The pub is loverly and the meal was very nice we will be going back but beware it's of the beaten track a little and the roads if travelling by night are unlit an ideal place to stay if you are going to colling castle for a wedding as the rooms look loverly theres plenty of place in the car park but beware some people might be offend by the stuffed animals that are in the restaurant but itnh's a loverly setting nice and quite They also cater for gluten free and the roast dinner if anything like the meal we had will be something I look forward to having on our return it's nice that these older places are still around well done to Kevin and vanessa

Staff could not have been more helpful and accommodating, breakfast was delicious, our room was comfortable and it is in a very scenic country setting.

We o my went in for a quite drink and ended up spending a few hours including a really good meal. Real home made food done well. The pies were spot on, actually special, maybe a bit more juice in the middle but that’s a critical comment. Main point is we will be going back. Staff are fun and friendly, meal, fun, a chat and maybe even a new regular pub for us.They are very accessible and egar to please. These guys are good too food at a good to cheap price. Well happy.

We recently stayed in one of the rooms at the Horseshoe & Castle when we were attending a wedding close by. We staying in the Annexe room out the back of the hotel, which was a good size and had a very comfy bed.The location if very good as it is was walking distance for Cooling Castle Barn where we were attending a wedding.The breakfast we had the next morning was delicious - I had the full English breakfast which included homemade hash browns which were made especially as one of our group had cheekily hinted how much she liked hash browns!Service was good and the staff very friendly. Would definitely recommend if you are going to an event at the Cooling Castle Barn.

Popped in on the of chance they could fit us in for lunch. Yes they had a table. Ordered two roast chicken dinners and one pasta dish with prawns. (no starters as we were having desserts).Service was friendly. Waited a while but chicken roast dinners were fine- I would have preferred mine a bit hotter and more gravy but just personal choice. Pasta was a really small portion, more like a starter than a main course. Certainly not a man size lunch.Two young girls serving both behind the bar and tables so I ordered desserts at the bar. After a wait of around ten minutes we were asked if we’d like dessert. Explained they’d been ordered. We were told it would be at least another 20 minutes. 1 cheesecake and 2 sticky toffee puddings, 30 minute wait. No thankyou! Paid the bill and left feeling disappointed. Don’t think we’ll go back.

We were heading for St James Church and saw the signpost for this pub. It was lunch time so we thought we’d give it a try. It is a proper old school family run pub (with 5 rooms if you fancy an overnight stay) the decor is pretty old and there’s a ramshackle collection of tables, chairs, comfy sofas. Plus horse brasses, a dartboard and old golf/cricket paraphernalia in boxes on the walls. A sunny beer garden out back and tables & chairs at the front which look out onto the quiet country lane. I loved it. The member of staff who served us was friendly and helpful.They have a very decent menu for lunch. We had fish and chips with mushy peas and tartare sauce. My haddock was the size of a small whale. Very tasty and great value for money. Good selection of draft and bottled beers and also plenty of Gin options !They also have themed food nights at the pub. A Mexican evening in September and a Thai one in October. Overall a really nice experience. Will definitely return here.

We came here today to have lunch and it was lovely, we moved several times as Our Son brought along his Dog, so we moved rightly so from the restaurant part to a dog friendly part and then we decided to move outside as it was a warm day and our Granddaughter (2 and a half) could explore with our help!Nothing was too much trouble and the food was delicious (we had the roast).We highly recommend this warm friendly Pub/restaurant and will be back.

Had a family meal here (never been here before) and will definatley return. Really lovely old pub, lots of pictures etc on walls, barmaid was really friendly and helpful especially regarding my vegan choices! Thankyou!! regarding ordering food, good pub type menu choice, very relaxed atmosphere, seemed to be enough parking for all in the pub. Can eat in bar area or restaurant plus there is a garden.Very quiet location

We stopped here for lunch, and when we arrived it was fairly quiet. We ordered sandwiches, which we ordered with sweet potato fries, and it was also served with coleslaw. The food was very good. The service we received was attentive and friendly.

Stayed over for a wedding. Dinner and breakfast were great. Room was lovely and staff very helpful. Would definitely stay again.

Couldn’t fault anything about this delightful pub! Food was delicious and the staff very friendly! Will definitely be returning soon!

We called here for drinks On Our way back to our holiday cottage in Cooling.

Th ultimate burger every time for me, the rib eats just ouzes flavour, although the Sunday roast is yummy., as no burgers on sunday

Returned for a Valentine's Day three-course special dinner. We opted for the melted Camembert, lamb cutlets and the creme brûlée. As usual, cooked to perfection. Friendly, family welcome, cosy surrounds, roaring fire.

We stayed here overnight when we attended a wedding at Cooling Castle.

Was attending a wedding at Cooling Castle Barn and stopped here over night.

Having embarked on a family outing to Cooling ( and prematurely parked up in nearby Cliffe! ) afforded us opportunity of v pleasent country walk on signposted pathways. Although we took a wrong turn, we were assisted by v friendly staff member at Cooling castle who kindly pointed out how close we where to the ancient and v atmospheric St James Church and Horseshoe & Castle.

This weekend me and my family came to Kent on a one time visit for a wedding that was being held down the road from this fascinating little pub.

Visited this pub a while ago - all as we were trying to find a place that allowed dogs. Have gone there fairly regularly - the quality of the food is excellent, could easily pay more than double for a similar meal in London. If you are a coffee lover, then try the latte, probably as good as (if not better) that in an Italian restaurant. As other people have said 'this is a proper pub', with friendly atmosphere.

Great food, great atmosphere and lovely people! Had a family meal here and loved everything about this place Would recommend to anyone

This pub offers friendly staff, well kept beer and good food, What more do you want? An atmospheric bar with an an enormous collection of bric-a-brac and taxidermy? Well, you're in luck.

After a very busy week we decided on a drive round some of the country roads of Kent. We literally "happened" to find this pub (obviously others know about it !) and decided to stop. A very warm day so we sat in the garden and ordered our food and drinks. We were served in a reasonable time and we were very happy with the quality and quantity of the food as well as the excellent taste. Didn't seem to us to be "out of the freezer." The young lady who served us was friendly and made us feel very welcome. It is a little dearer compared to some pubs but we were very pleased and will make sure we find this pub again.

Stayed overnight whilst at Cooling Castle Barn for a wedding. Customer Service excellent, nothing too much trouble. Food served quickly, room good - Positive staff happy to help. No negatives from our visit. Well done The Horseshoe & Castle ✅

We just had a snack and drinks in the pub before visiting the church of St James nearby. There are plenty of things to read inside - collection of jokes, etc. So even on a rainy day you would not be bored.

Visited prior to a service at the nearby church in Cooling.

Cosy, charming interior. It was a cool day but they had a log fire burning in back eating area. Service was extremely friendly with a lovely touch of humour. It's a locals' pub too and they are eating there which is always a good sign. Menu has a good selection of classics with a daily special. Very happy to return.

Lovely pub and hotel. Very friendly atmosphere and exceptional staff who are willing to go the extra mile for their guests. Stayed for 2 nights for a friends wedding nearby and staff offered to drive us to the venue as too far out of town for cabs. Room was lovely and food was excellent. Would definitely recommend.

Having eaten here before booked a table for 5 as it was a treat for my friend ordered drinks ordered roast beef with vegetables potatoes the beef was first class the veg n roast potatoes were first class too waitress polite n attentive we all had desserts which was nice n well presented every time I go to this country pub the service and food are always first class this a little gem thank you Kevin and staff

Stayed here two nights for a wedding at Cooling Barn. Perfect location, drove to the wedding and then walked back approximately 5 mins along a country lane, torches required. Accomadation, a bit tired perhaps, in a separate building with its own key which was a plus. Comfy bed everything we needed, very quiet.

A very old pub with basic accommodation , but was fine just for one night while attending a wedding at nearby Cooling Barn . Excellent breakfast with very friendly staff .

amazing bfast..... fully accomated all my daft requests. almost a personal chef experience so friendly and such amazing quality of food. evening menu looked amazing, cant wait to try

Delicious food, well presented and reasonably priced. We phoned to book a table and were unsure of our arrival time but were reassured that food would be available even if we were a little late. Had a splendid morning bird watching on The Hoo and got quite cold so it was great to be welcomed by an open fire and interesting menu. The pub is also full of quirky intersting artefacts from stuffed animals to prints of local places of interest including Pip's Graves. The pub was relatively empty but felt warm and inviting.

Excellent pub and reasonable restaurant. Wide range of quality ales and ciders with friendly personal service. Think it has a B&B; out back.

today we went for Sunday dinner here it was the worst we have ever had which was a shame as we had family from Poland with us that wanted a English roast in a country pub the beef was cold and red roast pots were cold and had been warmed in microwave in fact the whole meal was shameful

This is just a really nice pub with friendly staff, good beer and food with nice cosy atmosphere. I can...

Stayed here a couple of nights as we had a wedding close by. Room was quite nice and comfortable. Breakfast...

Good all fashion food with plenty of vegetables very nicely run my family and I went there for lunch couple...

The Horseshoe is well off the beaten track in Cooling with no real through road so traffic is minimal. Definitely...

A nice village pub, with excellent Steaks! Was reasonably priced too, with a good selection of drinks on offer too.

The menu had very good choices not only did they have the roasts but a very good selection of fish dishes which made it difficult to choose, I am fond of fish so chose a starter and main course of fish which were excellent and very large portions which meant there was no room for dessert also we had a delightful waitress who was very helpful

We as a family go very often here for the amazing food and their great food specials. Every 8 weeks they organise a 7-8 taste course menus from around the world cuisine just amazing.

Nice little pub serving good food.Small but we booked.It's a proper old pub, was a little sceptical at first but had lovely roast dinner & desert was delicious

Although we only wanted a light lunch, this Inn was everso welcome. Walls were covered with Rochester memorabilia; floors with assorted antiques and artifacts. Staff were attentive and plentiful. And the Inn had a convivial atmosphere. They even told us about special French or Italian evenings they hold. Sandwiches fine in quality and taste.

Beer well looked after. Food excellent. No juke box or piped music. Wonderfull. Nice traditional country public house.

We stayed at this pub for a wedding up the road and although thought the room price was very expensive compared to other local facilities it was nice to see a pub still going and looking like a proper old fashioned pub inside . Maybe the price of the rooms will help bolster this pub from closing like so many others in this country . We enjoyed our stay and the landlord and staff pleasant

This pub in Cooling is amazing .We were staying at Cooling castle for our niece's wedding on 11th February . We had a delicious breakfast & the staff & Landlord were so friendly & helpful .We are already planning to spend a weekend at the pub & explore the local area ,can't wait !!!

Great little pub located off the main roads. An important point to note is that dogs are welcome (not in their restaurant). The choice of food is limited but what meals are on offer are wonderful - good size portions. Might be worth ruining to check for a table as they celebrate events (the last one was Burns Night).

Fresh local produce , professionally cooked . Lovely atmosphere , friendly people. Love to go as often as possible

Very cute little B&B. super close to cooling castle. super food and very friendly staff. would definitely stay here again.

We stayed here for a Wedding in June, we had the little our house in the back and it was great. The only downside was that upstairs was very creaky with the floorboards which woke us up very early, but it is an old extension. The bathroom was adequate, nothing fancy but had the essentials. I think it was slightly overpriced for what it was but all the rooms had gone in Cooling Barn! The owner is lovely very accomodating letting us check in early because of the wedding. Would reccomend staying.

We went for an early dinner and was greeted with a very pleasant welcome from Kevin as this was our first visit meant a lot.Although he had one of his famous gourmet evenings he still fitted us in.The food was very good lovely olives and my husband had mushrooms were delicious My steak was really cooked well and was very tasty, the fish and chips were also of a high class served with peas and tartare sauce. Drinks menu was very varied and decently priced.We will certainly return would have got 5 Stars but we were in the bar area as the dining rooms were set up for the gourmet evening.

I was one of a group of 12 staying at the pub/inn, so we ate both dinner and breakfast here.Very glad we did. Great a la carte menu with a wide choice, including local seafood. I was very impressed when all the food all came out together. Chilli king prawns were delicious, though the highlight was the locally grown steak. Fantastic quality and cooked with real care.Recommended.

This pub has it all, a good range and great tasting beers, VERY good food, welcoming and friendly bar staff, and great decor. It's my favourite pub in the area by a country mile. If you get a chance I can highly recommend the gourmet nights they put on once a month...we've been to a couple and the chef is unbelievably creative. But not only does the food look good, it tastes good too and is an absolute bargain for what you get.If you're into walking then there are plenty of routes around aswell with great scenery.Summary:Food *****Drink *****Venue *****

I should make it clear that this review and rating is as a pub only as we only went in for a couple of drinks, so I cannot comment on the food.And I am very glad we did go in, as it is my sort of pub. I sometimes despair when stopping at a village pub for a couple of drinks to find every table in the bar laid with cutlery, condiments and place mats, thus unwelcoming for the customer who simply wants to sit and chat over a few drinks (and it’s even worse when each table has a ‘reserved’ sign on it). I was therefore delighted to find, even though the pub has a good reputation for food, it does not fall into this category, nor were we greeted with the increasingly common and irritating "are you dining with us tonight?" Great - this was a proper pub where the bar was comfortable and homely with a locals sitting at the bar, no huge television dominating the room or loud music distracting from the atmosphere - and tables for drinking rather than all laid up for dining (although there is a menu for bar meals so I imagine you can eat in the bar if you wish). To my way of thinking that’s how a pub should be.Having said that there is another bar at the back (presumably the restaurant area although I didn’t look in). Ample parking is available in the adjacent pub car park, and some pleasant outdoor tables to sit and take in the country air during those fine evenings.It is a free house offering a selection of real ales as well as lagers, and overall an excellent village pub – a pub that provides meals rather than a restaurant that serves drinks, and that is why this was my sort of pub.

Discovered this pub on a random country drive and have been back many times since! Amazing food and friendly staff :). Definitely worth a visit!

We were a group of 12 seniors on a walk from High Halstow to Cliffe via the Northward Hill RSPB Reserve. The lunch menu was emailed to us beforehand so that on the morning of the walk those attending could select their meal in advance. These were phoned through to the pub, along with an estimated arrival time. We arrived at about our target time and were able to have a relaxing drink and chat before our meals were served. The food was very good and when the chef joined us afterwards to ask if anyone would be interested in a dessert, and showed the menu, half of us chose one. This was a first for our group, who come from all points of the compass outside London. Those who hadn't chosen a dessert looked on enviously as the desserts arrived. No one was disappointed.

Went here for valentines meal. Didn't know what the menu was as it was a 5 course gourmet meal. When we got the menu was a bit worried as was not a lot on there is would have ordered. When the food arrived it was top quality and enjoy every course. Will be going back as a very lovely pub and excellent food staff were first class could not have been any more helpful if they tried.

The staff are very welcoming and attentive. Especially Stuart Boyle who carried our cases up the stairs and to the car as we had so much luggage. Very helpful and freindly manner. The accommodation very clean and well presented. Beds comfortable and good amenities. We stayed there with our 2 children 6 & 8 very child friendly. We were going to an evening reception at Cooling Castle so perfect location for this venue. Walking distance from B & B to castle if good weather. Great food choice on menu, had a snack before we went to wedding. Very well presented and tasty.Breakfast was beautifuly cooked and a great selection for a B&B. Highly recommend and would certainly return.

We stayed at the Horseshoe and Castle as we were attending a wedding reception at Cooling Castle. It is a lovely village pub, food was delicious. There isn't really a separate checking in area, we had to walk through the bar to get to the restaurant which is where we checked in. I found this a bit intimidating as it was full of locals in their work gear and we were all dressed to the 9's to go to a wedding.We were given room 4 which is in a little bungalow at the back of the pub. Room was lovely and clean, the bed was hard though. There is another room above this room, we were woken at silly o'clock in the morning, possibly about 4am by the upstairs resident walking around, coughing, having a shower, it was just constant, the floorboards were creaking, it was awful! We were with friends who stayed in the actual pub who said it was nice and quiet so if you do decide to stay there I'd ask for either a room in the pub or room 5 which is the one above where we were.We ate in the dining room, as I said the food was nice but still a bit expensive for a pub, our bill came to £25 per head including drinks but we only had a main meal each and a couple of drinks.A nice ish stay but still a bit expensive @ £95 per night.

Amazing chief...Even dose things that are not on the menu to suet your tasteBeef fillet is excellent one of the best i have had.Had Sea food tagliatelle with chilli today. Spicy Tasty and Fresh Highly recommend a visit to this lovely country pub...You will not be disappointed...

Great, perfect and reliable family run pub and Restrurant. Food is amazing fresh and very tasty. Very family friendly would suggest to prebook for a Sunday lunch.

We have been a few times before and have always had a wonderful meal so time to finally write a review. The food is always freshly cooked and if you would like something changed to suit they are so accommodating. Really quirky traditional decor the kids really enjoy asking questions about all the historical bits

Called in today for lunch with my cycling group.The place has a welcoming staff, and atmosphere.The toilets are clean ( sorry, but I always notice and it speaks volumes).For lunch we all had a variety of baggets,and I have to say,they were all excellent.Oh, one member had a burger, which he said was one of the best that he had tried.The house speciality lies with seafood, which is delivered three time a week,fresh from Lincoln. I will certainly be going back to try a seafood platter for dinner.So, good food, at reasonable prices,with atmosphere and a friendly staff. Pretty good I would say ,and yes, I shall return for dinner.

We had been visiting the nearby RSPB sanctuary and found this excellent lunch stop. Good food and a really helpful staff.

This is a genuine local pub in the village of Cooling. The village is used as the setting in the beginning of Charles Dickens book Great Expectations. There are to areas to the Pub one for mainly food and a public bar. The beer is good and not just your average John Smiths. There is also a good selection of Cider and lager. I recommend the food all very tasty.

dropped into the shoes to arrange an evening for my sons 21st birthday meal ( my wife and I also celebrated our 21st birthdays in the shoes many moons ago before they served food) Kevin was there to welcome us as old friends as always, we decided to have a bite to eat !!! Grilled sardines for me and scampi for my wife(grilled sardines were on the specials board as a starter!! Stuart the head chief asked if I would like it as a main course and tweaked it to make it a main) the scampi was home made and delicious as always the food was second to none , well done the shoes !!! Great food,great atmosphere , good friends

Wegens het bijwonen van een bruiloft in de nabij gelegen castle barn hebben we 1 nacht bij The Horseshoe & Castle overnacht. We kwamen om 11.00 uur 's ochtends bij de B&B aan, gelukkig mochten we al meteen inchecken (terwijl dit officieel pas vanaf 13.00 uur zou kunnen!).De bar beneden straalt 1 en al sfeer uit en de zeer vriendelijke gastheer (Kevin) maakt het helemaal perfect.De kamer was ook prima. Badkamer wel iets aan de kleine kant, maar dat mag de pret niet drukken.

Booked in for the Valentines package. Included a 5 course gourmet meal with a bottle of prosecco and bed and breakfast. Well the welcome was superb my husband even said.... "kevin is the epitome of pub landlord and what every village pub should strive to acheive". and the service throughout was fantastic. The locals were friendly and cheeky. The atmosphere was one where everyone loved their local pub. Great quality and well kept guest ales and an extensive range of spirits. The chef was superb and the 5 courses were of extreme high quality in both presentation and taste. All courses came out hot and ideally spaced. The fish was amazing! The first gourmet al a carte meal we have both enjoyed and every dish was cleared. Top top marks!!! Chatting to the couple on the next table who were first timers we were not alone in our views.The room was very clean bright and airy in the separate annex so away from the pub enough if you are retiring early. Lovely nights sleep and felt a millon miles away from home with the birds singing so beautifully in the morning. The eggs benedict and sausages were amazing for breakfast.We really cant recommend highly enough. And cant wait till the next occasion we find ourselves at the Horseshoe!!!Thankyou Kevin, Stuart and the team for a wonderful night x

Travelled to Cooling to visit church mentioned in Dickens Great Expectations. Dropped in for lunch and had a very pleasant baguette from bar food menu. The landlord and lady serving were very friendly and and made my wife and I feel welcome. Great country pub and will definitely return in the Summer

we would like to thank kevin and staff , my wife has had a serious operation and is unable to cook but thanks to the horseshoe we will be having a sunday lunch at home.all i have to do is pop in and collect them,thanks kevin and stu. great community pub. highly recommended

Popped in for Sunday lunch. It was nice, but not amazing as it had been on previous occasions.Service is friendly, but it did take ages to be served three cold desserts which was frustrating.Would still recommend as a lovely country pub and the food is good, just not as amazing as previous visits.

We called in this pub twice after walking the Saxon Shore Way. We had a friendly welcome from the staff. The fish and chips were well cooked and well presented the server was happy to bring our food outside . Will go again

Visited for a lunch on Saturday and really enjoyed the setting and our meals. The 'scampi' (crayfish wrapped in smoked salmon and soft cheese) was excellent, as were the fries ... just right. Lovely place to eat a leisurely lunch.

we use the horseshoe quite often over many years and have only had 2 average meals there, the rest have been great, allways friendly staff and locals, spotlessly clean, good wine selection and a nice little garden in the summer.

We found this to be a welcoming little pub, friendly landlords and clientele. The food was good and the menu interesting and we'll definitely be going back to try some more dishes. We sat outside on an unseasonably glorious, sunny Sunday in early March. My husband told me not to review this pub as he didn't want it to get so popular that we wouldn't be able to just pop back and get a table easily!! Given that we'll probably only do that occasionally, I didn't think it was fair to the owners!

The Horseshoe & Castle can best be summed-up as a traditional Kentish village country inn that serves well-executed dishes using locally-sourced produce from Kent. I'm a local patron who has used this pub for many years. I love the local Kentish real ales that are always on offer - and I particularly look forward to dining at this establishment because the food never disappoints. In particular, I enjoyed the most amazing dessert this evening - 'Filo Wrapped, Deep Fried Vanilla Pod Ice Cream with Golden Syrup' - and I can honestly say that this dessert was literally "mind-blowing". Whenever I dine out in restaurants (and I've frequented some well-known Michelin-starred establishments in my time working in London), I'm often left disappointed when it come to the dessert. This, however, was the best dessert that I've ever had! (and I've had a few in my time, given that I have a particularly 'sweet tooth'!!). Definitely recommended! Try it! :)

Stopped by the pub after a visit to cliffe pools RSPB site nearby. Pub allows pet dogs which is a result. Food was pricy for what it was. £16.50 for belly pork is steep I think. Good ales though. Service was friendly. No condiments offered with our meal and no 'check back' to see if we were happy with our meal. The big let down and main reason for 2 stars was the state of the female toilets. Urine on the seat. No toilet paper. No hand washing liquid. My wife would not have used the toilets if she had another choice.

Well here we are at the end of the Gourmet Evening for 2013 at the Horseshoe & CastleStewart put together a menu from some of the years dishes....It all started with 12 people sat around six tables (made to look like one) as we had all shared over the year the magnificent menus Stuart had put together, so it was fitting for the finale!We started with Pan Fried Anchovy Soufflé with Sherry Mayonnaise....Tantalising !Rich & Creamy Scottish Fish Chowder ...Wowser !Oven Crisp Chicken Supreme served in a Provençal Sauce with Fondant Potato...Smashing !Now for Desert...Italian Tiramisu with Grated Chocolate & Honeycomb....... Taste Buzzing !Rustic Cheese Selection with Water Biscuits & Fruit....Flavoursome !As we worked our way through all of the above chatting and laughing except for the silence as we were all engrossed in our food, I couldn't help thinking what a lovely way to end the year with good company, good food, and looking forward to the coming New Year as Stewart, Kevin & Crew would be planning yet another celebration....Burns Night !We would like to thank Kevin, Sue, Stewart, Gemma and all the Staff of the HSC for all their hard work and making every visit as special as the first.Jayne & Robert xx

We arranged to meet friends here as it was half way from where we both lived. For a Saturday night, the pub/restaurant was not as busy as expected. However, the welcome was very friendly and we were invited to take part in a wine tasting session that was in progress. Restaurant service was efficient and friendly and even though the waitress was inexperienced, she did a good job. The menu was what you would expect from a pub/restaurant with one or two additions such as slow roasted belly of pork - which one of our friends ordered and particularly liked. Quality of food was good, the onion soup was tasty and hot and the the sausage and mash I had produced three very meaty and solid sausages in a good gravy. My partner's fish and chips produced very good chips but the fish should have been slightly hotter.The average rating does not signify any black marks, but it doesn't reach a standard of very good at the moment. This is worth a visit as you get value for money and friendly treatment.

Hello Folks,Just got to rave because they have pushed the boundaries at the HSC with the alternatives offered for my Husband Rob's allergy needs. Let me explain! The menu 'Seafood Supper Gourmet' started with:Smoked Eel with Martini Jelly - replaced with Smoked Eel served on Pea Purée (Mwah) followed by: Chinese Cod Broth - replaced with the same minus sugar ( you wouldn't know as the flavour is not affected in any way) I tried both! Now an absolute fave of mine - Pan Seared Scallop with Black Pudding & Pernod Cream - This was the same as the Pernod Cream was served separatelyso no problem there. I cannot tell you, my mouth is watering now recalling this! Now the Mains -Hake Fillet & Mediterranean Veg with Pesto Dressing again Pesto Dressing Served in its own dishso no problem there as Rob is ok with this. Desert - Crème Brûlée Yum yum! But I didn't ! Instead we were made a Fresh Fruit Salad which hit the spot and for me cleaned the pallet (plus my halo was still in tact ! I can only reiterate the above - My suggestion is - If you have any sort of food allergy Phone Stewart Manager/Chef of HSC because his extended knowledge, enabled Rob and I to enjoy an evening out in good company, a warm welcome and a happy atmosphere with food that tantalises your taste buds without harm! And and.... All for £25 per person. A very Big Thank you to Stewart, Kevin & Staff

Spent many a lovely evening here - enjoyed many happy times and special times also - always friendly happy warm place with that homely feel - enjoyed a lovely meal here recently with home made scampi n chips - lovely all should try. Leanne n Darrell

Harvest Supper at the Horseshoe & Castle.... You cannot get better than that for an Autumnalcomfort Meal at a price that is unbelievable for the Five Courses that were presented.As usual we were greeted by our host Stewart and Manager of HSC and staff, who made our evening as special as the menu we were handed. I might add that we have not been to the HSC for some time but were asked to join them on Saturday 12th October which made us feel very welcome as this is a limited special night but they made room for us. I'm not saying that they cannot accommodate larger numbers but in order to keep it intimate and friendly it's better set up this way and my understanding is now they spread it over a couple of dates.Back to the cuisine! Smoked Mackerel Pâte served with Lemon Honey Dressing & Wholemeal Bread to start, followed by.. well if I tell you, you promise not to pinch their ideas? ... We finished with a selection of Kent Cheeses + A Village Apple Chutney Fruits & Water Biscuits all for £ 25 per person. I'm telling you you cannot get better fare than that in my experience as I know for fact that all produce is sourced locally and Not your Plastic ham and Microwave pasta as some might think.Personally I think anyone who thinks like that are mistaken and must of got there Horseshoes in a twist!!

Maybe I'm missing something here, this place has some really good reviews, maybe I visited on a bad day, but I found the quality of food poor.I took some friends there for lunch, we were the only customers in the place. My wife had a pasta dish which looked like it had come straight out of the micro wave. I had ham egg and chips, can't really go wrong with that, or maybe you can. Two slices of plastic looking ham, one fried egg which had obviously been kept warm and was hard, and chips, and over cooked frozen peas. As I say, all the good reviews can't be wrong, but on this occasionThe food was very poor and I was embarrassed to have recommended it to my friends. I live local to the pub, but won't be returning

After a good walk with our friends exploring the Hoo Peninsula, with good views from Southend to Gravesend the Horseshoe & Castle gave us an excellent meal with friendly and flexible service. Nearby is Cooling Church with Pips family graves immortalised by Charles Dickens.

A good local pub with a strong commitment to Kent produce. Decent selection of beers and good value homemade food (including an unusual selection of rarebits). Looks quirkier than it is!

Popped in here with my g/f whilst we were cycling the Heron trail which is national cycle route 18. Runs all the way in a big loop from Higham, through Cliffe, Cooling, High Halstow, Deangate, Hoo, Chattenden, Wainscott and back to Higham. About 15/16 mile route and this pub was a welcome stop from the hot mid day sun for lunch & rehydration.Situated in the quaint hamlet of Cooling with its castle and church which are very impressive. The staff were friendly and efficient and the pub has a kind of "ye olde" rustic feel to it.We both had a baguette. I had salad and goats cheese which came with very tasty chips and a salad garnish on the side. The baguettes were soft bread which I prefer as opposed to the French style hard crusty baguettes. Very large and very filling. Very Nice.We sat outside and watched the world go by for about an hour and it was a nice day and quite peaceful as not much traffic. The only thing that moved us on, is I don’t think the hamlet has a conventional sewage system being out in the marshes on the peninsula, as a big yellow lorry pulled up at the house just down the road from the pub and stuck a giant long pipe into the drain cover/septic tank and then there was the smell of you know what emanating in the air. By then we had finished lunch and that was our cue to leave. However, hardly the pubs fault and we could have always gone inside if we wanted to stay but perhaps just something to considerFor both of us with 2 x J2o and 2 x baguette lunches at £6:50 each the bill came to about £17.00. Perhaps a bit pricey for just 2 but the quality was very good and we both carried on our cycle almost slightly too full. Had to pedal a bit harder to burn off the extra calories.I do feel that as this pub is situated on a national cycle route it was a bit odd that we were the only cyclists in there. When looking at the cycle route on the internet there was no mention of its existence and only found it through doing my own research. We saw lots of other cyclists on the route and lots cycle past us as we sat outside. I do feel that they could perhaps encourage cyclists in by providing a bike rack out the front and advertising its existence to cyclists on its own website and cycling websites. I know other pubs on other cycle networks in the country advertise themselves to potential customers in this way. Cycling makes you hungry and if you see a cycle friendly establishment you are more than likely going to pull in for a drink/rest. However, all in all a pleasant enough place and very nice lunch. If we are ever in the area again would more than likely stop in again.

Good hot and tasty food prompt service nice quiet location, value for money. We are really pleased we booked to eat here and will recommend it and return.

This was not our first visit here but having heard good reviews of the place we decied to visit for our anniversary meal. We were the only diners on the evening for the whole time we were there. This was disappointing as the meal was superb and the chef, I think his name was Stuart, deserves a large clientelle. We both ordered the topside, my wife with mushroom sauce & I with peppercorn sauce. The tastes were delightful. As for the place itself the staff were friendly and the atmosphere in the bar good. Perhaps the place could do with a bit of a tidy up and declutter - more outside than in. Any slight grumbles were far outweighed by the quality meal

My wife and I had Sunday lunch and the quality and freshness of the food was excellent.The service provided by the waitress was very good and the owner spoke to us to check everything was ok too.We would return again without hesitation and also there is a beer garden that is very clean and tidy and very suitable for having a nice drink outside.

Having cycled past the Horseshoe and Castle many times and having heard from friends that they serve a good meal, we decided to give it a try ourselves. We called in the afternoon to book for a table the same evening and had no trouble booking. When we arrived, we sat outside in the sun for a while, then went to our table in the restaurant. I must admit to being a bit surprised at all the stuffed animals adorning the walls and in glass cases. There were owls, foxes, squirrels and of course, the obligatory stags head, right above our table! There were also lots of interesting pictures of Cooling village, Cooling Castle as well as some bits of written local history. (Cooling church is famous for being where Pip is at the beginning of Charles Dickens' Great Expectations. Cooling Castle is famous because Jules Holland lives there!)Anyway, back to the food! The menu was not huge but contained all the favourites such as garlic mushrooms, prawns etc for starters and then steak, a variety of fish dishes, plus baguettes and gammon, so plenty to choose from. The food was delicious, cooked well and plenty of it. The staff were very friendly and attentive, making sure everything was OK. The wine list was a little bit limited, but the wine we were served was very nice and complimented our meal perfectly.If you're looking for a trendy gastro-pub or a cheap snack, then this is not the place for you. (having said that, I did see people with a plate of cheesy chips and a pint sitting outside!) It was really relaxed, with a friendly ambiance that made you feel welcome; like a friend's house that you'd like to go back to.We had a thoroughly enjoyable evening and are wondering which of our friends we can take there next time we go.

If I could speak fluent French then I would say it would of complemented this evenings Menu.Yes it was French Tres bien ! - Moi ( I think) Stewart never ceases to amaze me. I have got to say the Anchovy Mousse served in a miniature cone set into a half Radish was so delightful that I did an Oliver Twist and ......Well we all know that one!!I really think that there is no end to this man's talents as the rest of the French menu followed (apart from the Escargo) which I cannot get my head round) The coq au van was so tasty I thought I was in Le Toques ! Mind you the Tatinger added to the......'Ambience' Kevin was his usual charming host and did his best impression of being a customer, but alas he juggled his evening to accommodate his customers and eat between as the evening grew very busy and staff were rushed off their feet. ( A big Thank you to Gemma for all her hard work :) x.x.You really must sample this extraordinary find of an English/ European Guest House Pub with an amazing Menu !

I live locally to the Horseshoe and Castle Pub and we love to go and eat when we do occasionally go out for a meal. I have to say the food is the very Best I have tasted !ALL locally sourced Meat and fruit and Veg etcand wonderfully cooked to perfection :)You MUST try the Menu and I can honestly say you WILL NEVER be disappointed Every mouthful exquisite . Great Family Public House which is very friendly and welcoming and very well runGo and try :)) and be delighted .

Tonight was the night when the Emerald Isle was delivered at the Horseshoe & Castle in a most charming atmosphere. Yes folks it was another success from the HSC Manger/Chef Stewart, and of course our host Kevin plus staff. We brought with us two friends to sample the Irish tasting menu on offer this evening 4th May 2013 who's comments made us feel good about the choice of food, as we enjoyed every tasty morsel delivered to our table. Our friends definitely want to come back.If your reading this you must surely want to find out more! Get on the phone and book yourselves in for a wonderful meal and splendid company and while your there ask about the special evenings Menu forthcoming. Go on go on go on ......you know you want to!