Bonfire night by the beach

 

Kingsdown is a small, seaside Miss Marple-style village, with its own post office, an excellent butcher and a well stocked licensed newsagent. It is also lucky to have three warm and welcoming pubs, The Rising Sun which always has a roaring fire on a wintry day, The Zetland Arms which sits pertly on the beach and has enviable views of the Channel and the White Cliffs, and the King's Head which is housed in the heart of the village.

All three pubs have hearty food, and give a warm welcome to all those crossing the threshold. One of the busiest nights of the year is now upon us, as Kingsdown puts on a great show for Bonfire night with an enormous beachside fire and cracking fireworks. This year's event takes place on Saturday 3 November with tickets costing £5 per person or £15 for families. They can be bought on the night and include a smashing hot dog and a cup of wholesome soup. The fun starts at 6.30pm with the gates opening, the bonfire is ignited at 7.00pm, followed by fireworks at 7.30pm.

What better way to end the evening than with a hot toddy, at one of the nearby pubs. It's worth a visit to see Kingsdown in all its fiery glory, and if it's a clear night, it is truly magical to see the light of the fire dancing and reflecting on the icy cold sea.

Spitfire - a great beer with rich Kent history

Spitfire ABV 4.5%

My favourite of the Shepherd Neame beers is Spitfire with its big and bold malty, hoppy taste. It looks good with a decent foam and has a lovely long linger in the mouth.  A cask conditioned ale it has an ABV of 4.2%. It is naturally at home in this historical corner of Kent, where Spitfire planes and their fighter pilots soared over the White Cliffs of Dover. A replica Spitfire plane is to be seen at the National Memorial to the Few cared for by the charity The Battle of Britain Memorial Trust at the top of the Dover Cliffs at Capel le Ferne. Other Spitfire planes can be seen at a truly remarkable and comprehensive exhibition of the lives of fighter pilots: the planes, the missions, the letters and the stories of those fighting in WW1 and WW2 at the volunteer-run  Kent Battle of Britain Museum in Hawkinge.

Bright lights at The King's Head, Deal

Daffodils about to bloom

Recently Spitfire has made a splash with its tongue in cheek advertising which can be found throughout Shepherd Neame pubs, and published in a small booklet, a copy of which was kindly given to me by Graham Stiles of the family run King's Head in Deal. This is a very special pub indeed, with great hospitality, good food, a real love and commitment to Deal, and of course some very fine Spitfire ale. It looks great throughout the year, from Spring until the dark Winter months it is festooned with flowers, and from December through until the end of February it clads its ceilings in thousands of fairy lights, which certainly helps to dispel the Winter gloom. During the Summer it gets together with the nearby Dunkerley Hotel and the Port Arms, to provide music in the sea-facing outside courtyard. It's well worth a visit, and with the Channel View guest house attached, it's worth booking in for a night or two.