The Lower Bell in Tonbridge and Malling

Nice spacious room( we stayed in No 5), clean, modern bathroom. The stuff is friendly and helpful.

A nice place to stay. Everything we needed.We had a lovely Sunday roast. The staff were very friendly. Would recommend.

Brilliant food, great variety of food and drinks, staff couldn’t be more helpful and friendly. Would highly recommend?

Visited the Lower Bell for the 1st time today with my husband and his parents, as this used to be their local years ago, for Sunday lunch. Firstly, a big praise to the waiting staff they were polite, helpful and attentive. The food quality was outstanding, portions were huge and the value fantastic. Would highly recommend and definitely will be going back

I used this pub restaurant today and can only congratulate both the landlord his staff and the chef the food was spectacular service superb value for money all in all superb If you don't try it you are seriously missing out.

Absolutely top Sunday roast. I had the spit roast chicken and my partner had belly pork. Both were cooked to perfection and the veg and trimmings were also beautifully cooked The staff were welcoming, friendly and attentive. My only gripe is the wine, although drinkable it was not very good. Maybe invest in something more quaffable.

Booked this pub for my aunties funeral wake having heard that they did many of these and were good. Pub decor was nice area they gave us was meant to be for 50 people but was not big enough for half that. So was very cramped. Buffet which was £12 per head so £600 for 50 people was pretty poor. No way did Iceland charged more than £150 quid for that! Low quality food and not enough of it. I said the area was too small and there didn’t seem to be enough food but was fobbed off. Bar service was also slow. Very disappointing I’m afraid to say!

Took a random trip out to find a local pub with good food. We gambled on this entering with no idea how it would be. I can say that this is a well kept pub. Clean and pleasant decor. Ample parking and great location. We didn’t book but I would recommend you do. Despite that the landlord was accommodating and we had a lovely roast dinner. We had the beef and pork belly. Both were very tasty. The dessert I had was the chocolate fudge cake. Very nice and generous size. The girls serving were very polite and this made it all the more lovely to be here.

Food was hot, fresh and tasty as always! Never got the home made coleslaw and fries in the picture but the whole dinner was lovely!

Used the lower Bell for a wake and although only a small affair the food they did was very nice indeed . Some of the best ive ever had . Staff very welcoming. 1st time I've ever been in but will def go back for a drink and food . We'll done guys

Stayed two nights. Nice room, TV with HDMI cable. Toilet and shower worked fine, but were a bit outdated and had some mold growing here and there, they were also difficult to ventilate without a window/extractor. Food was fine and delicious!

Did not have a room so can't comment, but had a lovely drink with the boys after work fab

Only to go wake buffet and nice food and friendly

Lovely little pub with nice service nice staff

We recently had a wake for my mum. I found a sympathetic ear from Lynn when i called to enquire. She went through everything & we were able to add or change things.The actual wake was as good as can be. In that the area wS just as we needed. The food was lovely & the staff were very helpful. Many thanks, would definitely recommend

Had an amazing Sunday roast with extended family for a birthday meal. Requested a vegetarian roast option when we arrived and they were able to provide a delicious “not nut roast” to go with the full roast for our 1 veggie. Huge portions of food and lots of choices for puddings. It was a busy afternoon with no many staff on but nothing was too much trouble, friendly and helpful. Would definitely come again thank you

Came along to try the new rotisserie menu and wasn’t disappointed - the ribs were delicious. This is a real hidden gem with direct links off bluebell hill. Dog friendly and family friendly. Good food and drink. Lovely in the summer too as have sat outside during a dog walk before. Highly recommend

Just had an amazing Sunday lunch with the family! Huge portions, fantastic food and reasonable price. Best Sunday lunch around with fab yorkshires. Totally recommend, why pay for overpriced local restaurants when you can get home cooked roast here!

I hosted my 21st birthday party here, the venue is superb if you are looking for a place to host an event, I would definitely recommend The Lower Bell. The staff were so attentive, they couldn’t do enough for us, the manager helped me decorate the venue, which was so helpful. Service was spot on, can’t thank the team at the Lower Bell enough for making my birthday party so lovely! I will definitely be revisiting for dinner and some drinks in the future.

Er was alleen pizza op de avond dat we aankwamen. Deze was op zich niet slecht. De bar was wel oke. Zou beter kunnen

Yesterday we held mums wake at the Lower Bell Pub and everyone agreed that it was a great place to be, informal but professional. The staff were great and Lyn who sorted the wake details was just lovely. The food was lovely and lots of people commented on how good it was. Thank you again.

We ate there on Sunday. It was not busy, locals were very friendly, bar staff welcoming and food was excellent and good value. We had lamb roast- not fatty, not dry, just full of flavours. One of the best roast we had in years. Plenty of outside space too and ample parking. Will definately return.

A big thankyou for hosting a wake for my mothers Sad passing. Food good and exceptional service. You made our day.

Extremely friendly bar staff, she was so sweet! When we arrived there was no one else inside. Slowly it filled up. Ordered Scampi and Fish and chips. Potions were lovely- food was fresh and hot. Never visited before but would certainly come again. Thank you :)

over charged for food when mentioned was Rudely spoken to by waitress , fish was dry anyway and it took just over an hour so won’t be returning boyfriend put complaint in trip advisor I can’t see it so they must of taken it down after landlord reviewed it , too which his reply to the trip advisor review was “I told my waitress to treat you with the respect you treat her with “. And that being polite and the bill £46.+ , told her to keep the change from the £50 , we realised after we paid we were over charged but didn’t resolve it because we didn’t want it to ruin are day and they are rude people who don’t like criticism

lovely afternoon drink at this premises, customers and staff friendly alike and good choice of availability

Very nice lunch speedy service and helpful staff. Had a tasty veg curry which was delicious I will be back

Amazing staff Alison worked so hard to make our nite special so friendly and fun there was a lot of us there and she didn’t stop working all nite definitely we be coming back

We stayed here last night as we were attending our Nieces 30th birthday From when we walked in the door we were made to feel welcome , a huge thank you to Georgia and Lynn amazing bar staff who laughed and smiled all night , both lovely ladies

A cracking good roast beef lunch. Friendly, welcoming and also their mussels are to die for. Definitely will return again soon

This was our third visit, to eat, since June. The staff (particularly brilliant Amber) are great. The home cooked food is exceptional. Highly recommended, for Sunday lunch, or any other meal. Also vegan friendly..

I loooooove this pub...the landlord is an absolute gem n the chef serves up amazing food every time.Lots of parking n great entertainment.

Going to a funeral is never going to be the greatest of days. But after what was a very good funeral at Medway crematorium, the wake was held here. It was a good choice as there were so many in attendance that a spacious pub/restaurant was necessary. I will not mention the deceased Gentleman by name, but his son was very kind to put some money behind the bar.I was drinking diet coke. Typical. The buffet was superb and the two ladies behind the bar were excellent. It must have been one of their busiest shifts ever. And still they smiled. Thankfully they were not deaf either, because when I said to one of them that she had nice tats, she understood that i was referring to her tattoos and not saying that she had nice....well, you know. I hate being slapped...haha.Typically I do not live in Medway anymore. If I did, I would visit here again. A lot!So a huge thank you to everyone who made a dark day better.

A lunchtime trip for a bite to eat and a drink to a pub that I hadn't been to for many years. It hasn't changed much in all those years, the food is good, the beer OK, and the staff friendly. If you're in the area, and there are a lot of good walks around, then the Lower Bell is well worth a visit.

A couple of weeks ago, we walked past this place doing a ghost walk in Bluebell Hill and the North Downs. We noticed lunch was served on a Monday so came to try it out.Great service and lovely chat with a lovely lady (didn’t get her name). Huge bowl of mussels in delish white wine sauce. Beer battered cod, chips and mushy peas for me. Every time I looked up, I could see the lady cleaning. She works so hard and I hope she is appreciated. Food was great, spotlessly clean place. Will be back. A good find (and great for my non working Mondays).

Another great Sunday lunch, roast beef was beautiful and last weekend the lamb shank was just as good. Always lots of lovely fresh veg & real roast potatoes, great choice of desserts too, we all had the chocolate fudge cake with custard/ice cream. Great staff and very welcoming.

Got there for lunch but no heating on a tall, we sat there having 1 drink but could not eat lunch with our coats on and when we were just about to leave the lady cleaned and lit the fire. There was no heating on the hallway or the ladies toilets, there was no hot water and the blower was cold. It's a nice pub but no atmosphere as it was actually warmer out side than it was in?!! We went to another pub for lunch.

Food is excellent with good presentation. Landlord and staff are friendly and helpful. A good lively pub in the heart of the Kent countryside.

After checking the pub out with a lunchtime visit we booked a table for 8 for an early evening meal before going on to a local event.

First visit. Pub a bit soulless but clean and spacious. Varied menu catering for all. Good portion sizes and nicely presented. Prices very fair.

Buddy Bunch of thiefs , never will book room with them again, booked hotel last min and said to them will be arriving late and said will leave keys on door, we have taken money so f..off that whats their attitude is towards customers

Nice pub with good food but Never Again. Reason? Unacceptable attitude from overbearing & threatening Landlord. If you fancy a swift pint then your fine but if you like to have a breather before ordering another then don’t bother because you will be followed into toilet and harassed to buy more or you will be thrown out. That’s exactly what happened to me when visiting.

We arranged a wake here on 4.5.2018 and we were not disappointed. The food was great with unlimited tea and coffee provided. The staff were friendly and accommodating. Would recommend to others as a suitable place for a wake to be held especially as it's only a short drive from Medway Crematorium.

Myself and my partner are vegan. When we attended a wake at this pub we were told the pub had organised some vegan alternatives to the buffet but we were sceptical. Country pubs don’t tend to do a lot of vegan food.

3 of us had lamb and 1 had beef roast dinner and the food was fabulous all fresh veg which is very important to me and a massive yorkshire pudding, the service was a little slow at the beginning but all in all a really great experience, we had 2 bottles of prosecco at £20 a bottle! but very nice,

Came here on the open mic night, was a great experience! Many great acts getting up in such a small bar, will be back to see more and even for food!

Another great Sunday lunch at the Lower Bell, we have eaten at the Lower Bell numerous times & we keep going back. We are a family of 6, we always receive a friendly welcome from the bar staff & landlord & landlady, who are always happy to see us & they will always make a fuss of our youngest who is 5. The food is very good, my favourite is the lamb which is always great, the others all had the roast chicken yesterday which was cooked perfectly, veg & potatoes always very good too. There is always a good choice on the menu, if you aren’t in the mood for a roast, & it is very good value for money. We are always so impressed with the Lower Bell that yesterday whilst we were there we booked a table for 20 for a family meal on Christmas Eve after visiting the local panto

We visited here today for the first time after a recommendation.

The pub is really nice and staff great. Monday Jam sessions are very poorly organised and a bit of a clique created by the organiser. I was punched by him for pointing this out and the matter was reported to the Police. He encouraged me to write a review so I have done so. I shall not return to his jam sessions and would encourage others to look elsewhere for this. Do visit the pub though - I don't like Mondays ...

Como local normalmente venga aquí un domingo para el asado, pero este era para una comida familiar, un lugar fácil para una semana para llegar a todo el mundo, con aparcamiento gratuito, un variado menú de problemas y buena relación calidad-precio. Así que sin duda cumplía todos estos cuadros y más. Reservamos una mesa para los miércoles por la tarde para 10 personas a las 12:30, el pub no estaba lleno, pero creo que quieres saber si los partidos más grandes de personas están entrando, así que puedes preparar. Toda la comida es preparada fresca así que espera que esperar un poco más para la comida de lo que en otros restaurantes locales. Nuestra orden de bebidas fue sin embargo tomar inmediatamente seguido por la comida una vez que decidimos lo que tienen. Así como el menú normal que usted puede ver en línea tenían 9 comidas principales el adicional ofertas especiales, así que asegúrate de echar un vistazo a aquellos antes de elegir. Entre nosotros tuvimos pastel con verduras, pastel de carne con cerveza con patatas y verduras, hígado y tocino con puré de guisantes, y Chile con arroz y butternut squash, espinacas y lentejas al curry con arroz, ensalada y pan. Ojalá me hubiera tomado fotos antes de todo el mundo practicado en ya que todos parecían preciosos y fue todo limpio los platos, excepto por un par de tartas casa porque eran enormes! La comida se servía en aproximadamente una hora después de haberlo pedido, pero que nos dio todo el tiempo tener una charlar y ponerse al día sin tener que luchar. Por desgracia, no tienen espacio para budín en esta ocasión pero puedo recomendar el apple y blackberry se cayera con flan o podría tener siempre otra bebida! La señora de detrás de la barra y waitressing era extremadamente atento y servicial y la señora de la cocina para cocinar la comida era excepcional. Sobresaliente en todos los aspectos.

Organizamos una recepción de un funeral en el Bell inferior el pasado jueves y me gustaría decir que no podemos alabar la comida, el servicio y el personal! Cuando llegamos allí desde el crematorio todo estaba muy bien establecidos y hay un ambiente muy cálido en el que podíamos conversar, convivir, comer y celebrar la vida de mi tía tarde.

Friendly staff and lovely food, come here regularly, great place to come for some drinks or a meal with family.

Increíble selección de personal agradable comida cervezas muy amable y servicial le recomendaría este lugar a nadie.

El personal era realmente amable y feliz, buena selección de cervezas. No comer, pero el menú parecía bueno especialmente el sofocante shell a langostinos en salsa de vino blanco y patatas fritas

Gran ambiente, agradable envoirment encantadora comida a buen precio. Asadas genial. Viernes fabuloso. Precioso patio y decoración

No podía creer el tamaño de nuestra cena con asado. Tenía cordero y mi marido tenía carne, ambos eran excelentes. Por desgracia ambos dejamos algunos porque la cantidad era demasiado para nosotros. Si hubiéramos sabido que habría sido tan grande, probablemente no hubiera tenido el arranque aunque ambos deliciosos.

Followed reviews on trip advisor and visited this pub restaurant so glad we did, a group of two couples we had the most wonderful meal cooked to perfection, good portions and very well presented. Affordable to.

We booked the lower bell for my stepdads 60th birthday meal. We opted for a Sunday so we could have a roast dinner. There were 19 of us in total which included 5 children. The food was lovely! A good selection of meats and they were accommodating to my husband who wanted 2 meats and my sister who was a vegetarian. The puddings were very tasty and if combined with a dinner, you got a discount so very good value for money. Considering how big our table was the staff were really friendly, helpful and nothing was too much bother. They were fine with us bringing balloons and a cake for him too. Everyone commented on how much of a lovely meal it was. I would definitely recommend and will 100% be back! Thank you

I haven't been to the place I'd say I want to come back for a while...definitely coming back here and sticky toffee pudding is a MUST- best I ever had (have to admit even better than mine...

Visited here on the way home from london with my partner for a roast. We liked the selection of drinks available and decor looked nice. Once seated we were given menus but then was told on sundays only roasts are available which was lucky that all we wanted. Good price 2 courses for £11.95 so was a pleasant surprise. Food was cooked lovely and enough. Staff were friendly and informative but only thing I had which weren't a problem for us as we had time if you want a quick meal it could take you while but it did have few people in so could just be a one off. Would come back to visit if back in the area.

I hadn't visited here for a couple of years and it was lovely to find it refurbished with a lovely simple food menu. We had the cod and chips and steak pie, both were delicious and great value. Would recommend and we will be back!

Use to visit this pub when they had music although great then would never have eaten there. Not sure if owner s have changed but there is no music anymore which is a shame. However have eaten here twice now once during the week and a Sunday lunch the food is of good quality, the restaurant and toilets are clean and tidy. Cauliflower cheese with Sunday lunch is a must. The service is friendly and accommodating will definitely be returning

Me and the girlfriend visited this pub one afternoon for lunch fancying something light and healthy, like a ploughmans or a salad as it was a nice day! But no didn't have either! Only starter salads(weird) so we went for the sizzling prawn salad! Thinking this sounded nice and was expecting some King prawns that had been cooked in a Garlick butter! So then we ordered drinks! Mine being a orange juice and lemonade served with no slice and franky the worst orange juice and lemonade I've ever had,tasted horrible, my girlfriend even thought I had pineapple juice it was that badly discoloured! But was drinkable as I was thirsty! Anyway after 50 min later 2 small bowls of salad appeared along with 2 finger bowls! Then these 2 plates of sizzling prawns turn up! Well the prawns were the size of my slippers and completely whole! Totally not what I expected as I don't believe in shelling prawns myself! That's the chefs job. Asked if these could be shelled for us! The reply from the so called chef was, I only no how to cook them. So we up and left! Leaving a table of food! Yes I could of asked for something else. But we didn't want to wait about and it was only meant to be a lunch. Got the hump by now! Never shall we return to over priced hole.

From Tuesday to Saturday (restaurant closed on Monday and Sunday is Sunday roasts only) there'll be specials available. I've tried the sizzling prawns already (fantastic!) but additionally this week was a handmade burger which was DELICIOUS. Definitely recommended.

Visited this pub with friends. Arrived on a Sunday afternoon, ordered a 3 course meal. Starter arrived at 3pm, watered down chicken soup, only 2 avaiable so someone had to have something else. Main course arrived at 4pm, Roast Beef roasted to death and beyond and uncuttable was more the description that should have been on the menu. Roast potatoes that were soft and green inside. Another person had Roast Chicken, it came with beef gravy. Dessert came at 4.45pm, luke warm apple crumble and ice cream. The visit is one that I would never do again. Service was slow. Reminded me of the soup scene in Acorn Antiques.

Good value for money and not your typical chain pub roast! The potatoes were actually Crispy and not anemic...... Perfect!

Good food not many people for a Saturday night young lady serving was very friendly and efficient worth a visit bit out of the way

Just an ordinary pub girl serving was bright and bubbly, place was empyy, thursday evening, stayed night,no breakfast, had to go up the road.

We had eaten here on quite a few occasions on a Sunday when they offered two roasts for £12. Food was always nice with lots of fresh vegetables and the added option of cauliflower cheese which was lovely. In 2016 they changed the menu offering local produce and we were told it would be £12 for one meal, so we were kind of put off even though the pub itself had all been redecorated and refurbished, it was possibly pricing itself out of the market.A recent trip however has proved us wrong, with a condensed new look menu of about 6 starters, 10 main meals and 4 puddings covering the favourites and providing something for everyone at reasonable prices. I'd like a couple of veggie options (there was one) but that's just me personally. I had the goats cheese salad starter which was lovely, lots of fresh salad and a big chunk of warm goats cheese with a balsamic dressing. My partner had the steak and ale pie which was huge and full of filling with a homemade crust. Again lots of fresh vegetables and mash in place of chips. He thoroughly enjoyed it and we'll definitely be going back to try out the rest of the menu. Lots of parking and easily accessible. They serve food Tuesday to Sunday and on some Bank Holidays, I'd call to book on a Sunday lunch to guarantee a seat.

Went here on Bank Holiday monday. I ordered the Steak and Ale pie, it was all home made, and tasted delicious.Decor and rest of pub were newly refurbished and comforable.

We have visited this pub a couple of times over the past couple of weeks for drinks, lunch and dinner last night. Really good for a relaxed lunch or dinner, wine is good and the pub is spotless. Bluebell Hill Village really needed a decent pub in walking distance. We wished we had used this pub a bit more in the past.

Staff and food is excellent Sunday roast is first class great value for money..we have recently moved to the area and eaten here half dozen times and each meal has been fantastic...

Went for Friday lunch , with 4 customers in the pub had to wait 1 hour 15 min for the food to arrive , in which only half of my wife meal turned up , 5 mins later the cook came out sorry not got the bread with your chill here's some nan bread instead ? and they left the salad off , went to pay the bill told them we did not have the salad and why nan bread was told oh will take a pound off your bill

Obviously all places need to try to move forward, and there was a period where a very professional chef was employed, and the portions were far smaller. I see a few reviewers commenting on that. If that was your last experience, I really would urge you to return. The portions are now VERY nice and it remains the value it was known for in the past. At the time of writing, a decent sized, well-cooked Sunday lunch goes for £8.95. And you get a good amount for that. That's Sunday meals dealt with, except to say: if you're going for a meal, BOOK! Give them a call, reserve your table, and if you have any food preferences, those too.In the week, meals aren't currently offered on Mondays, but the other days have a good choice from a standard lunchtime/evening menu, and accompanied by some specials that you really need to check out. In the past few weeks, I've been treated to one of the best chilli con carnes I've ever had. Today I called in, and was encouraged to try the cod and chips. Not usually something to float my boat, but when I saw the beer batter was being made freshly, and the size of the portion I got, well... it changed my mind entirely. I LOVED it.Local pubs like this need support if they're going to survive, let alone grow, so I really hope that people who may have formed an opinion in the past revisit and see if they're surprised by the changes.

This place used to be a hive of activity, especially when the bands were playing! but these days the Lower Bell seems to be habitually empty! How the business survives is a mystery! especially when they made customers feel unwelcome as soon as they walk through the door and you are asked to leave! Sure they were hosting some kind of Valentines night event, but I wonder if the place was so busy that it warranted turning away customers, who will never set foot inside the place again! The décor is simple, clean and relaxing .... the food is a little overpriced for what you get .... the portion sizes are minimal! The Sunday lunch that I had was tasteless and the chicken dry! A once welcoming establishment has definitely gone down hill!

This place used to be a thriving music venue, but I guess times change, so thought I would still give it a go, and although the refurbishment has been done very tastefully, it feels like the heart has been ripped out of this once popular place to go.I have visited the place now about 6 times recently, for both drinks and a couple of meals, the atmosphere is not helped by there never being hardly any customers, but being local one likes to support local venues so that they survive.However the Sunday lunch was very average and the portions very small, my friends Chicken meal looked more like a kids meal ! and the Chicken was very bland and dry, I went for the beef, but had to upgrade with an extra portion of Pork Belly to make the meal a man size one, and was charged extra for this naturally, but this then took the cost of a basic Sunday Lunch to well in excess of £10. On another occasion a mid week meal was Ok , the Fish and Chips dressed up well, with real hand cut chips, but my friends Ham, Egg & Chips turned out to be Gammon Egg and Chips, but was still ok, but again not helped with there being only 2 other customers in the Pub.So I have given this place a good go, but will not be returning anymore, as on my last visit my friend and I were made to feel very un-welcome, due to being turned away, as there was some event on later that night, although it was only 6:25pm at the time,and a few customers still drinking in the bar, I feel we could have been accommodated with a couple of drinks, and indeed been dealt with in a more courteous friendly manor. Clearly the place is struggling a bit, and being local I do want to see it survive, but your regulars will always be the surviving hub of your business in the pub / restaurant game, and little actions like this will not help things there. I will continue to spend my money locally, but at more welcoming , more friendly pubs that offer the all round package and ones that have a open fire!

Wow! What a difference. The last time we visited the Lower Bell, it was very much a chips and something menu. This time, it's really lifted. Interesting menu plus specials. Yes, it's a bit more money than it used to be, but if you want the old style, there's Mickey's Diner just a few yards away.

A group of 11 of us cyclists called in for lunch. The large parking area provides ample safe parking.Upon entering you are welcomed into a " clean" welcoming environment.The staff were very helpful and friendly, orders were efficiently taken, and the food was very tasty and very well presented.The prices are average/ middling, but the food quality is above average, with excellent preparation and delivery.Bathroom were spotless. Well designed and I just could not fault them.Overall, I was very impressed by the place, and would most certainly recommend it to passing travellers, looking for nice food, a nice welcome and a pleasant environment.

What a shame.We really used to enjoy going for Sunday lunch at the lower bell, but now they have changed the menu put the prices up and lost quite a few regular customers.They have redecorated and made the place look a lot nicer but unfortunately the menu has changed a lot, the prices were reasonable before and the choice of food was better. It used to be great home cooked food, piping hot and tasty.I will not be returning, there are other pubs in villages round here that offer a better all round package.

A HUGE - "Thank you" to Spencer and all his staff …. We had an afternoon buffet reception - Friday 22 January 2016; at the Lower Bell and it was superb. A plentiful selection of great quality food. Spencer was so very helpful, nothing was too much trouble. Very pleasant and helpful staff at all times. Ample parking. Could not fault anything.

Love the such roast here. Friendly atmosphere for al, and music in background, harder to find then you think. Perfect access straight off bluehill, plenty of parking. A must.

We have been eating Sunday Lunch here fairly regularly for the last 2 years initially attracted by the BOGOF offer whiche was excellent value for money. We were always served promptly with a smile and enjoyed a well cooked Roast Dinner and paid around £5.95 per person.Today we called in to be told they had a new chef and the menu had changed it certainly had it was £11.95 per person for the Roast Dinner ! Our initial reaction was to turn around and walk out but we decided we would try the food as we were assured there was no microwave involved now!not that we would have minded if there was for the price we previously paid!The food arrived in good time but initially looked exactly like the meals we used to enjoy for half the price!My husband had roast chicken which consisted of 3 very small slices of chicken the vegetables were undercooked and consisted of just one small piece of cauliflower and a couple of hard carrots!The Roast potatoes tasted like they had been reheated contrary to the servers claim re the microwave!I had the lamb which was quite nice and served medium which I enjoyed but again it was a fairly small portion and the accompaniments let it down.Considering this is now probably one of the most expensive Roast Dinner in Kent we were very dissapointed and definetly will not be returning!For this price you would usually expect a Carvery and ample meat on the plate possibly some cauliflower cheese r a few more interesting veggies and maybe a home cooked Yorkshire? Sure these were not home cooked?The tables and chairs were jammed in together with a long table down the middle with a huge family group on!When your are paying these prices for a simple Roast you expect a comfortable table with ample room around you? This was reminiscent of a greasy spoon . The chair i was sitting on even had a loose seat which I had to rearrange before I sat down!If you are going to advertise a new chef and menu with these prices you need to improve your dining experience .For this price I would expect the table to be laid with maybe a tablecloth and not have to help ourselves to cutlery and request the condiments?You certainly need to decide who your target market is Lower Bell because you cannot try and be upmarket with your menu when nothing has in fact changed at all except that you want to charge twice the price for the same food!

Popped to the lower bell for lunch with the other half as it had been recommended by a friend. The food we were served was excellent. She had the camembert and fig salad with a balsamic glaze starter. I skipped the starter and had the burger and triple cooked chips she had the battered cod and triple cooked chips. This does not sound very adventurous but when the meal was served the presentation was superb and the food was excellent quality and taste. My only surprise about this pub, that can easily call itself a gastropub was that we were the only people in there eating. The chef did a great job the food was fresh and handmade.....

New menu with lots of great dishes to choose from. Chose Oxtail soup for a light lunch which was absolutely delicious and great value for money. Definately be returning again...

Stopped here with a good friend of mine. Had a great lunch. Would highly recommend. Staff/service and food all excellent

Just had my company's Christmas meal at the Lower Bell. They have a new chef with a new menu.The quality of the food and it's presentation was excellent. I look forward to my next visit

I had my first pub roast here today and it was lovely, food came out hot and with all the trimmings you can expect from a roast dinner. If your looking for a socialable, traditional pub with top quality food this is the place to go.

I took my mum here for an early dinner. The staff were welcoming, friendly and very accommodating. The food was lovely. They have given in to the trend for serving some food on boards, but they were more than happy to agree to serve both of our meals on plates - mum is not a fan of 'food on odd things'. Mum had fish & chips - it would have been enough for two people, fantastic fish and proper chunky chips, homemade tartar sauce and 'pressed peas' - served in a separate little bowl, which is perfect for those irritated by peas rolling all over the plate (me), plus a very good salad - not the usual wet iceberg with a bit of tomato and cucumber that you see in so many places. I had the belly of pork with mash and veg. Both meals were excellent, freshly prepared and very good value for money. Sadly we were too full for dessert - but the choices looked very tempting. We hope to go to try the Sunday lunch some time

Arrived for a Sunday roast. Having been standing at the bar for 15 minutes could not even get an acknowledgement. Bar staff appeared to be more interested serving the regulars. Gave up and went elsewhere. Am a local resident so have been a few times. Never a great experience.

We stayed overnight, booking three rooms for ourselves, my sister-in-law and brother-in-law and nephew. The rooms were clean, in a separate converted barn and well decorated. We were all going to a family party in Chatham, so The Lower Bell was in a great location to get to the party, as well as being close to the M2 and therefore the M25. After the party we returned to the pub, where they had a great band on. After listening for a while, we returned to our rooms, where you couldn't hear a thing. Breakfast was available at an extra cost, it was a freshly made full English with toast and jam, tea, coffee and orange juice.

Very nice lunch - good prices, friendly service and freshly cooked food.Easy to park in the large car park. The pub restaurant is light and airy inside and has an exterior decking area. My companion chose the chilli with nachos and I had the macaroni cheese.My dish was delicious - as was my friends. All was obviously home - made and freshly prepared. Yes there was a short wait but it was worth it.I will definitely return.

Excellent food at good prices - a hidden gem - don't be too put off by the location. A very worthwhile and decent eatery and pub!

Lovely room, everything you would want for one night, nice food, had the rib eye, excellent at super price. Staff very friendly, Spencer the owner especially so. Would recommend to all !

Good location just off the A239. Food was good, plain classic pub food - we had lasagne, macaroni cheese, hot dog. Real ale (Skinners Betty Stoggs) well kept.

Brilliant food and friendly staff. Food came within a good time and quick service at the bar. Lovely atmosphere and a nice place to come and have lunch/dinner as a family with our child. Would definatly recommend!

Visited Sunday lunch time for a roast when we were in the area.Good value and great food. The best Sunday roast I've had out in a long time.

Delicious food, lovely pub and friendly staff.....what a little gem, I will definitely be returning.

We stayed here overnight on a Saturday. They have refurbished a small barn, separated by about ten feet from the pub, and have four rooms. It bills itself as a quiet country stay but they don't tell you they have a live band on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Nor do they tell you that roaring overhead is the M2 which doesn't appear to sleep. My partner managed to drop off, but I spent most of the night awake and was able to appreciate the interesting variety of noises concomitant on a band, having finished the gig, packing up their gear and stowing it in the transport. Then the car park emptying and the lorries on the M2 increasing in number. Al the while looking at the light coming into the room through the cracks where the beams and the plasterwork don't quite talk to each other.Our room was clean and aspired to 'boutique hotel' status but failed miserably. Initially we thought 'how nice' as it's an old barn and the original wood frame is still there. Then we tried to find somewhere to hang a coat. No joy - there's a rail under the shelf where the tea and coffee sit which will accommodate about 40 shirts, but forget anything longer. There obviously were a couple of hooks on the back of the door, but these have been shaved off. No bin in the bedroom either, you have to carry your wet teabags into the bathroom if you want to put them in a bin, so we left them on the shelf. rather than drip on the pale carpet. And forget a loo roll holder - even though there's lots of space for it - that just sits on the very small cistern.Only one set of towels was provided, although the friendly, very overworked (and obviously only) member of staff brought another when requested. A very small heated towel rail in the bathroom fails utterly to hold more than a hand towel, so they obviously expect a double room to be occupied by a couple sharing a towel and staying for only one night. Given our experience, one night is one too many.Breakfast, we were told, was between 8am and 10am. However, at 8.35 we gave up waiting - the place was locked, bolted and with absolutely no signs of life.We won't be going back, and certainly won't be recommending it.

I went to a private party at this pub which was the first time I had been there. It looks like it has been recently refurbished and it has been done very well. There is a huge car park and what looks like a stage for live bands in it. There were posters inside for live music and menus for food, so plenty going on. I'm definitely going back to sample the real ale and maybe even a Sunday lunch.

Stopped off here for lunch during a bike ride on a Sunday. It was a lovely day and there was plenty of outdoor seating which was perfect for us to keep an eye on our bikes.The menu is typical pub grub as you would expect so there was plenty to choose from. Since we were cycling we thought we'd give the 2 for £12 Sunday lunch deal a miss however they looked good. We both went for a Hunter's Hot Dog with fries which was delicious and very good value at about £6 each. We don't drink at pubs very often but we thought they were on the expensive side... about £7.30 for a pint of diet a coke and a lager. Service was friendly and quite.Overall a nice pub in a nice location serving good tasting, good value food.Would definitely drop in again if we are in the are.