Timber Batts @ The Compasses in Ashford

Only recently opened since its move from Bodsham, but already setup as a lovely venue. Welcoming Staff and lovely food and drink. We will certainly be back.

Awesome quirky decor, such a contrast from the surroundings. Good food and drinks, always toasty warm inside.

Great pub and great atmosphere. The food was big and delicious, but quiet expensive.

Absolutely brilliant pizza! Great atmosphere, lovely setting and outside space. Cosy inside. Definitely going to visit again!

Family live nearby, so we'll definitely be back. We had a great meal in the garden and a naughty but nice dessert 🍨. Didn't really have chance to look around the trinkets on display inside but a very interesting venue with very welcoming staff. Thank you.

What a great pub! Love the alternative decor and art. Super friendly service and great food! We will be back!!

WOW!!! Had the pulled fillet steak grilled cheese and I have to say that it was absolutely fantastic. There was an entire fillet steak wedged between bread and cheese. Great sides, delicious gravy. The photo I took does not do this dish enough justice. Friendly vibe and unique decor, we will be returning very soon!

Went out for dinner tonight at Timberbats Worst meal ever greasy unseasonal steak Greasy chips puddings are deep fried biscuits. I think the kitchen has a only a deep fat fryer and a cook with no kitchen skills Don't waste your money

Fab time, great service lovely food…..dogs welcome which is always a win win!! Definitely a fun and quirky place…..you won’t regret it 🙂

Spent a really enjoyable evening in this quirky pub yesterday. Great food at great prices and friendly service. We will be back!

This is a quirky gem which I am so pleased I tried out. We dined here on Mother’s Day and ordered the sharing board. Food was fantastic and plenty of it as well! I guess you might either love or hate the interior but I thought it was interesting… a bit like walking around an antiques shop. We will definitely be returning, thanks again!

Chips swimming in gravy ……not a vey clever idea🤮

I love this place. Location, atmosphere, music, friendliness (both animal and human!) fantastic food and quirkiness made for a country pub experience you don’t forget. And I can’t wait to repeat! - especially when the weather slightly improves and we can explore some of the surrounding footpaths using the pub as a base. I can’t recommend highly enough, if you’re after something different but brilliant, please give it an open-minded try! P.S. the lemon curd homemade ice cream was to die for 🤤

I had forgotten about this place, last visited here about 30 years ago, we absolutely loved the atmosphere, then the food turned up....... one portion came, and it looked like a sharing board, and then the next one arrived. Oh my goodness, I managed to eat all of mine, but my wife struggled to eat half of hers. The meat was so perfect the bones just slid off. It was a totally unbelievable experience. Cannot wait to return.

Good staff good parking and food good .

Can't go rong if you're reasonably close having a drive in the country,as long as it's the weekend!

Great pub, very unusually decorated. If you like different things, this is the place to go. The food was really good to

I don't normally leave reviews but this place is amazing. In a beautifully quiet setting with lovely walks all around, this pub does hearty, delicious Southern States inspires food (with generous portions) . In fact, generous is the vibe you get off the whole close-knit team in there who are friendly, welcoming and efficient. The decor is like a museum of off-beat art sculptures and curiosities, only adding to the cosiness and atmosphere. Cold weather fires inside and warm weather lawn garden and the great selection of drinks, beers and ciders make this place hard to beat in any season for that authentic English pub appeal. You must visit!

Brilliant bonkers new space at the Compasses for our favourite publicans

What a wonderful place! Very quirky which suited me to a tee. Will definitely be returning.

The most incredible place! Pay a visit - you won’t regret (or forget) it !

The iwners are moving down to the Compasses next week. They are taling the food, atmosphere and everything with them and I am so glad! Suggest visits to the new venue. You will NOT be disappointed!!

A completely crazy place, more like an emporium than a pub. Every room is filled with random artefacts. Staff are very friendly and there is a good range of real ale on offer. I was there at lunchtime and didn't want to spend £19 on a bowl of gumbo but I gather it is quite good.

A quirky country pub, great in the sunshine for a drink on the old fairground rides converted to seating, then into the pub with it's wooden beams and assorted peculiarities and table games. Eat here and you'll find something different, plentiful and extremely tasty. Expect generous portions too!

Qué increíble experiencia viví en este lugar. La comida deliciosa y muy basta. La cerveza estaba bien. Me encantó la música! Este pub en sí es una experiencia audiovisual.

Awesome venue. Great staff. A real experience

Having read the most recent review, I am astonished by what can only be described as the entitled brigade. The owners work hard to make a living and the selfish attitude adopted by customers consuming their own food and drinks on the premises is unacceptable. It’s a shame that they can’t be reviewed in a similar manner.

Nice pub but really horrible service, rude old woman shouting around

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Hidden Gem with Unforgettable Flavors If you're searching for a truly exceptional dining experience that takes you off the beaten track, look no further than The Timber Batts Ale House. Tucked away in the Kent Countryside, this place is a true hidden gem waiting to be discovered. From the moment you step inside, you'll be transported to a world of culinary delights and quirky charm. The menu at The Timber Batts Ale House is a testament to their dedication to creating unique and memorable dishes. One standout option that left my taste buds dancing with joy was the Smoked Short Rib with Mac n Cheese, salad, homemade pickles, and rainbow slaw. The succulent short rib was cooked to perfection, tender and packed with smoky flavor. Paired with the mac n cheese and the refreshing crunch of the salad and pickles, every bite was a harmonious symphony of textures and tastes. Another star of the menu is the B.F.C Bodsham Fried Chicken. Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and bursting with flavor, this dish is a must-try for any fried chicken aficionado. It's comfort food at its finest. To complement the delicious dishes, The Timber Batts Ale House offers an extensive selection of beverages, including the delightful Lemon Cider. Sipping on this refreshing and zesty cider was the perfect way to cleanse the palate between bites. Its crispness and subtle sweetness made it a refreshing companion to the bold flavors of the food. One of the things that sets The Timber Batts Ale House apart is its commitment to providing good value. Despite the exceptional quality of the food and the inventive combinations, the prices here are surprisingly reasonable. You'll leave feeling satisfied, both in your stomach and in your wallet. The atmosphere of the place is undeniably quirky. The walls adorned with an eclectic collection of trinkets creating a unique ambiance that adds to the overall experience. The staff members are friendly, attentive, and passionate about their craft. Their knowledge of the menu and their willingness to offer recommendations make the dining experience even more enjoyable. In conclusion, The Timber Batts Ale House offers an extraordinary dining experience that excels in every aspect. From the heavenly Smoked Short Rib to the finger-licking B.F.C Bodsham Fried Chicken, the flavors will leave an indelible mark on your taste buds. The Lemon Cider adds a refreshing touch, and the reasonable prices make it even more appealing. Combined with the quirky ambiance and the warm hospitality of the staff, this place is a great destination for food lovers seeking a unique and unforgettable culinary adventure.

Great place. Folks friendly. Food was excellent . The place is nuts...I loved it! Thank you for making us feel welcome.

Pleasantly surprised by this querky little pub . Lovely staff . Good atmosphere and brill food .

We have been there 3 times Doesn't the management like people ? Surley, unhelpful, beligerent ... Don't they want customers ! Have also seen the nasty, disrespectful responses to others who have commented - tells you all you need to know. Shame, as it is a remarkable location. Edit; As you can see, I have also been insulted and called a liar by the management in response... We visited as our company was looking for reliable venues to host other business contacts and directors, to enhance our companies reputation. Suffice to say, we would not be using this venue with such an unfortunate attitude. Further edit; Now being threatened with legal action for a review 6 months ago ! You have never spoken to me about my concerns or 'politely' asked me to do anything. Are all the other 1* reviews being threatened too... Avoid

Really lovely pub we found nestled in the Wye AONB. Just popped in for quick lunch but wish we could have stayed for longer, had a few more pints and explored a bit more! The food was delicious and plentiful, well priced for the amount. The ale on tap was very good, and the service was warm and welcoming. Will definitely be returning!

Lovely ecclectic pub and well worth a visit!

Very nice friendly and food looks good quirky place to have a pint and some food

Fantastic food - the crispy chicken was up there with the best, the brisket was melt in the mouth, and the puddings were just amazing. Super friendly staff, really relaxed atmosphere (we didn't feel uncomfortable with our two young kids and dog), quirky interior, good music, great selection of beer and cider, nice little garden, friendly locals. Brilliant place. Will be coming back regularly.

Such a quirky place, the staff are super friendly, and prices arent too bad.

For charm and good beer I give it five stars. If I hadn't been on a walk I could have sat by the fire indoors as easily as outside in the warm sunshine with my beer for the afternoon, just relaxing. I noticed they had a few Kent ciders also but went for the ale on tap this time.

What an absolute gem of a place, can't wait to return to try the food.

Wow, what a pub. Lovely food, friendly staff and great beer. But the pub, never been to a pub I spent an hour just exploring the oddities on the walls, ceiling and table. Booked a table on a whim and couldn't recommend more highly enough other people do the same

Cool quirky pub, ones like these are few and far between

Quirky and great food. Well worth a visit

Amazing food. Friendly staff. Could spend hours just looking….

I can safely say this is NOW 'probably' the worst pub in Kent, lady answered me this morning was extremely short with me, after I had made a couple of enquiries about lunch, and the availability of such she told me they are closed. Then hung up the phone when I asked her if she knew anything about customer service. Needless to say I will not eat here as I believe they are misrepresenting their prices with a years old menu. I wasn't even able to get to enquire about dinner.

Absolutely loved everything about it but be warned the chefs have moved to Tallow near Tunbridge Wells.

Very good food and lovely atmosphere

This has by far been the most quirky pub ever!! It was so cool...we will be back again!

Wonderful place. Great food and drinks. Little gem in the countryside.

Fab afternoon at this unique lovely pub. Staff and locals were more than welcoming. Had a top notch meal. Portions were so huge no pudding required! Will definitely come back for more. Definitely dog friendly love the Great Danes behind the bar.

Awesome pub , run by awesome people .

Absolutely fabulous British Pub. Really warm, friendly, atmosphere, amazing Staff, big log fires and great vintage interiors. Doggy friendly too. The food is delicious, fresh and attractive. Can't wait to come back! 🇬🇧 🇬🇧 🇬🇧 🇬🇧 🇬🇧 🇬🇧

The most amazing pub I've ever been in! fantastically quirky, great atmosphere. Curiosities everywhere, and the food is everything you'd want it to be tasty and generously served. In short, find it, eat there and soak up the atmos

Expensive food... won't eat there again. Seemed very pricey for what you got.

Nice atmosphere, great beers and Roddy Burgers on site, what more do you need 😎

A really cool quirky pub, nice food

Known the area for 60 years and only just discovered this gem. Friendly staff and locals, lovely food (the chowder is superb), well kept beers and within short strolls of stunning views of the Stour Valley means I'll definitely be back.

A hidden gem, really off the beaten track.

Wasn't a great selection of food but went for the decor.

Quirky is an understatement, the ecliptic collection of 'stuff' is worth the trip on its own... uber welcoming, an open fire, locally sourced ales and tomahawk on the menu (you'll need to book in advance), what more do you want... some might say a veggie and fish menu option perhaps...

A quirky little find. A warm welcome, amazing fire! Friendly staff..Will be back..☺️

This place had to be seen to be believed. It's quirky and freaky and punk as f*ck. The food is amazing, catering for carnivores, veggies and vegans. The portions are extremely generous and the menu is really inventive, not your usual pub grub. The staff are super friendly and extremely helpful and make you feel at home as soon as you walk through the door. I just wish I'd discovered this odd gem of a pub years ago.

Lovely quirky place . Food and drink were excellent. Service was great

The Timber Batts is way out, in more ways than one, but it's very much worth seeking out. A quirky pub with so much going on in all the bars (just look at the photos) You'll get a very friendly welcome, good beers, ciders and an excellent menu. What's not to love?

Great pub. Quirky in a very pleasant way. Definitely worth a visit.

Cosy,warm and friendly. Great food!!!

Wow, what can I say. I've never seen a pub like this before. Fantastic food, utterly insane decor - and I mean that, this place is unhinged in all the best ways - and a great atmosphere. Honestly I don't know how you could explain this place... You'll just have to go. Reasonably priced too!

Brilliant lunch at The Compasses. Such a beautiful historic building with a massive garden out back in the middle of some of the nicest countryside Kent has to offer. Weekend kitchen is run by Paesana (Sicilian inspired menu from the folks who also have a food residency at the George and Heart in Margate) - great selection of salads and pasta dishes at fair prices for the portions and calibre. Super impressed by the food (grilled peach & proscuttio salad especially). Country pubs in Kent usually = boring drinks menu. Not so here, wide selection of beers from some of the South East's best craft breweries (Kernel, Pressure Drop, etc) and a solid wine + spirits offering. Also really appreciate the thought they've put into their no/low alcohol selection - more than a dozen AF beers/wines/spirits to choose from - you'll struggle to get to this place without driving, so it was great to see choice offered to drivers outside of the usual soft drinks or Becks Blue! Looking forward to coming back here.

A hidden gem! Great atmosphere and service! Would definitely visit again.

This place has changed hands. It was Sunday lunch time. There wasn't any lunch available. Poor choice of wine. Packet of crisps. The staff were very pleasant VB though. Watch this space.

Absolutely an amazing place,definitely the wow factor and the food is so tasty,highly recommend

We live close by and like to camp and explore our local area. While walking we happened upon The Petham Pint which was a brilliant micro pub. The owner recommended a 40 minute beautiful and easy walk to the Compasses. What a stunning countryside pub. Beautifully decorated and really friendly, welcoming vibe. Nicest bar staff - charged our phone and gave us a chocolate bar as we were desperate for a sweet treat and there was no food on at that time. We’ll definitely be back. There will be a resident chef there from next weekend so we’ll be happy to try the food offerings then. Dog friendly, great pints and stunning location

I love the pub. Great ambience, friendly staff and a wide choice of drinks, but I'm sorry to say the food was awful. Big lumps of dry chewy meat accompanied by even drier cornbread and stale salad. Also had to challenge a significant overcharge on the bill. Such a shame as I would love to eat here more often.

I remember this pub as one of my favourites. It was most disappointing to see the state of it now in comparison to 30 years ago. I understand that the new owners have not been there long and I wish them all the best in there efforts to restore this once lovely pub.

We didn't have much opportunity to try the food but the menu looks great and the food we saw going to others was lovely. The garden is a beautiful spot and the staff pleasant and helpful. We loved the old world atmosphere with a cracking menu.

Amazing pub in the middle of nowhere ☺️ Has probably one of the most amazing different environments inside of a pub and I believe thats what makes it great, the different drinks you get here are amazing too! If you're by definitely worth a visit!

A really quirky, old fashioned little pub, take cash as the payment system was down when we went and I only had 25 quid on me, but they were so accommodating, the barman still ensured we got a lovely lunch and a drink each for what I had on me. Doggy friendly and a very hidden gem!

Stumbled across this pub by chance when they had Cask 22. A perfect day with great beer.

A super pub, great ales knowledgeably served. Wood burner simmering away, delicious bar snacks and a lovely team. Fantastic garden, well worth a visit.

As much a tourist location as it is a pub and restaurant. Seeing is believing. Recommended.

Friendly welcome, good beer selection

Very good food Thank you friendly staff

This is the 1st new review I believe for The Compasses Inn under its new management. Really (really) pleased to have a simple, well run and open to walkers/locals watering hole in Crundale/Waltham/Petham... Previous management had a different business model that was not at all welcoming to locals with a bizarre take on bookings and availability (when almost empty on occasions). Relied heavily on bookings coming into the Village... My take on the old menu, tried very (very) hard to be inventive and stand out - aiming for local awards. I ate here many (many) times and the meals were in my opinion too much, too rich, trying way too hard to be stand out... Over managed and over thought... Service was OK, timing of the (small) kitchen was very (very) hit and miss... Sometimes when the dining area was full, the food would take an age to be served (again, a product of an over complex menu).... Now under new management, what can I say... Exceptional food, welcoming atmosphere. If you're looking for gastro pub portions, not for you - go somewhere else... It's not that kind of vibe so don't read into any negative write ups if they come... Folks that want massive portions, go to a Harvester... but if you're looking for sensational taste, wonderful and simple presentation, a proper old pub vibe and attentive staff... Get yourself down to the latest and impressive addition to the Kent countryside. Took my kids and best half, let me say that my kids have never eaten cauliflower with such zeal (any recipe) not ever... For starters (we had the salmon and the beetroot dishes) superb - stuff you would pay 4x the amount at top 'Big City' restaurants without the flavours... For our mains we had the cod - very well seasoned and excellent presentation with a fulsome taste... And we also had their take on the Sunday Roast (beef) - outstanding cooking... The beers are micro-breweries, none of this forced industry flavoured water pint spill... and the Sunday morning Bloody Mary's were fabulous... The deserts, inventive - and big on flavour, and just the right portions. I've travelled all across the world, I've eaten in more Michelin starred restaurants you could imagine for work and also for pleasure... Something the previous owners wouldn't have known... This place under new management is up there and those that can't see past the new start-up process, the freshly installed ownership feel, the obvious changes that may well happen in the coming months... Can't or won't see this place for what it is... Which is authentic... I'm chuffed they've reopened with such simple style and panache... Doing the basics really well, being part of a community... Well done, keep doing what you're doing and you're going to be a fabulous success, there's nothing like this in Kent...

Went here with my partner for a date night very fun and full of quirky stuff to look at food was outstanding. Pulled pork was so soft and juicey just feel apart in your mouth . Cocktails was funny I had at least 3 blue ones with candyfloss on top was absolutely fantastic so I ended up asking to buy candyfloss to take home would recommend 100% Board games on tables to play Stuff are lovley and lively and you can tell the venue and food is made with love and passion

Lovely little place with helpful hosts.

Really great selection of small-brewed beers PLUS the restaurant is Michellen starred! And you can sure taste it...even with its vegan dish! Who'd have thought such a prestigious award be given to a cosy little pub tucked on a hamelt high up the hills of the Kent Downs.

Managed to get a table for the second full service. Love the bar and the guys knowledge is epic. FOH super friendly and very natural. Food was perfect. Lucky Ben was in and cooking before he heads back to Stark. The new HC has got some shoes to fill if that’s the level they are going for. Excited to see what happens when we go back. The pastry chef (Cleo ?) needs a mention. 10/10 on all 3 of them. We will be back and we will order that much food again. Thank you for a great night

Whenever we are down in Kent always try to call in. Staff are always friendly and their is always something new to see in the eclectic choice of decor. The food is amazing, on our most recent visit we managed to book in to one of the Fire and Smoke nights and did not regret it! Would definitely recommend.

Have been here three times now. This place is so welcoming and very quirky. Food looks amazing which we hope to try soon.

A great little gastro pub in a really quirky spot but get there soon whilst you can. This is our second time eating here and overheard the owners telling a family dining that it was closing down soon. This is really sad news and if the owners do set up somewhere else, please contact me to let me know where as I can say without hesitation that the food here is delicious. The bread with marmite cream cheese is so good as was all of the dishes we had from the menu.

This restaurant has had a good reputation for many years and has won many awards with the skills of Chef and tenant Rob Taylor. Our three recent visits have all been outstanding gourmet lunch experiences. The Shepherd Neame (brewery owners of the pub) web site now shows the tenancy at the Compasses as "available" since Rob and Donna are moving on to a new "adventure". I look forward to finding out what this. No information on when this change of tenancy will happen but it will be hard for a new tenant to match the current standard.

Excellent service and delicious food!

It might have been amazing for what I know. But the pub was ‘too short of staff’ to serve a drink without a reservation. The three other patrons were clearly exhausting all available resources.

Excellent food at the highest level. Well done all xx

This is a regular pub for us, we have been going periodically for over 30 years. We have seen some developments over the years and the standard of food, staff and atmosphere is a fantastic addition to our journey we are all on. Well done team.

OMG, from start staff made us feel welcome, then the food came out, from starter too main too desert too irish coffee, fantastic, well done to all,

I was passing on my bike and saw the 3 tables out the front were all free so I thought I'd stop for a beer. I went inside, masked up to announce my arrival and NHS app check in but they wouldn't serve me because "I didn't have a reservation". The place was very quiet too. I've been stopping outside at plenty of other pubs locally, since May 17th never been refused, making a reservation on arrival (and checking in etc) so I've no idea what was going on here.

Despite not being full, would not serve us bar drinks in the garden - there choice of course, as is my post

Food and service we're A*. We had 3 courses and the delicate blend of flavours were amazing - I particularly enjoyed the pork belly starter and hake main.

First time I have EVER experienced the "melts in the mouth" statement. Had the roasted lamb as a main and it was exceptional. 3 courses, wine and coffee, most expensive meal I've ever had but worth every penny. Fantastic date night with hubby. Xx

The bar and outside were empty at 2 in the afternoon, but they claimed they were fully booked and therefore unable to provide us with drinks.