First Visit: The Poacher & Partridge combines countryside views, family-friendly dining and excellent wood-fired pizzas

Finding a pub that suits everyone can sometimes be a challenge. Good food is important, but so is having somewhere the children can play, enough parking to avoid driving around looking for a space and, for many families, a place where the dog is welcome too.

For Father's Day, we decided to visit The Poacher & Partridge, set among orchards and rolling countryside just outside Tonbridge, to see why it has become a popular destination for families across West Kent.

If you've previously visited The Pheasant Plucker in Ide Hill or The Never Say Never in Hildenborough, you'll notice plenty of similarities.

The three pubs are part of the same family of venues and share a similar style, blending traditional country pub charm with modern interiors, spacious dining areas and an emphasis on creating a relaxed atmosphere for all ages.

From the moment we arrived, it felt familiar in the best possible way.

One of the first things we appreciated was the large car park. Even on busy days there's a good chance you'll find a space without too much trouble, which is always welcome at a popular country pub.

Outside, there's a generous garden with views across open farmland, making it an ideal spot to enjoy a drink or meal when the weather is good.

Families are well catered for thanks to a dedicated children's play area, while dog owners will be pleased to know that dogs are welcome in designated areas of the pub.

We decided to try both the Roast Platter and one of the pub's wood-fired pizzas.

The roast platter was generous and well presented, with plenty on the plate. While we personally felt it didn't quite rank among the very best Sunday roasts we've enjoyed locally, it was still an enjoyable meal and we can certainly understand why it's a popular choice.

The pizza, however, was the standout dish for us.

Cooked in a traditional wood-fired oven, it had a crisp base, generous toppings and plenty of flavour. Having also visited the group's other pubs, we've found the pizzas to be consistently good, and this visit was no exception.

If we were returning, we'd probably order one of the pizzas again.

One thing we would recommend is making a reservation if you're planning to visit during busy periods.

The pub was extremely busy during our Father's Day visit and it's easy to see why, so turning up without a booking, particularly on weekends or for Sunday lunch, could mean a longer wait or missing out on a table altogether.

The Poacher & Partridge offers much more than just somewhere to eat.

With its spacious garden, countryside setting, children's play area, dog-friendly areas and ample parking, it has all the ingredients for a relaxed family outing. While the roast wasn't quite our personal highlight, the wood-fired pizza certainly was, and the welcoming atmosphere made for an enjoyable visit overall.

If you're looking for a family-friendly country pub near Tonbridge where everyone can relax, it's well worth considering.

Highlights:

• Large free car park
• Beautiful countryside setting
• Spacious garden and outdoor seating
• Children's play area
• Dog-friendly areas
• Excellent wood-fired pizzas
• Booking recommended at busy times

Our rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)

For menus, opening times and bookings, visit the official website: The Poacher & Partridge