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The LEICESTER Arms
Buying a business in the midst of lockdown sounds like madness , or genius , only time will tell
Penshurst is a beautiful chocolate box village in the middle of Kent just 10 minutes from Tunbridge Wells . The main attraction being the Penshurst Place , a 14th century manor house and gardens open to the public . Part of the estate was The Leicester Arms Hotel before being sold off and now independently run under the Brakspear Brewery estate . Laurence Bowes took over the lease initially on March 17th before realising that perhaps the deal had changed somewhat by the next morning with the first announcement of the lockdown .
Fast forward four months and the pub is in full swing , the initial business plan would have been to create a premium eating , drinking and sleeping environment that focused on the pub being the main attraction , influenced greatly by the community around it . With Eat Out to Help Out and the incredible support from the locals and the surrounding community
our feet have not touched the ground . With the relative calm of September and October we are looking forward to a new season and renewed offer .
The autumn is our favourite season , not only will the snug fires be roaring daily , but the gardens will take on a winter theme with log burners and our alpine bar in operation every weekend . The menu will be focused on slow cooking , local game and a whole new dessert menu ensuring everything is in season and relevant . Dishes like our six hour braised Smarden venison , served with creamed potatoes , cavolo nero and a tarragon dumpling , will keep the keenest foodie happy whilst our firm favourites of ale battered line-caught cod and our dry-aged British beef burger will remain on the menu . We ’ re particularly proud of our wine menu , featuring seriously good value wines alongside some of the more exciting Orange wines or some vintage Burgundy . On the front of the bar we have Larkins , Brakspear and regular guest ales . Our seasonal cocktails are always available and this summer ’ s Aperol Spritz and Mojito are being replaced with a Christmas Bitters Negroni and Bolney Bubbly Bramble .
We are currently in the process of refurbishing our 13 bedrooms , as although they are already of a high standard , they are due a bit of sparkling and a tech upgrade . We can confirm that by next spring all the rooms will be of the highest standard and represent both the village and the pub superbly .
13 BEDROOMS FUNCTION SPACE FOR UP TO 50 SEASONAL RESTAURANT LOCAL ALES AND PRODUCE
Now taking bookings for Christmas
01892 871617
www . theleicesterarms . com manager @ theleicesterarms . com