Following the government's announcement, we are delighted to confirm that, as of Friday July 10th, we have re-opened for dining indoors, and drinking in the garden only.
We'd like to reassure you our priority is the health and well-being of all our customers and staff. We are COVID compliant and all staff have undergone training in the prevention of the spread of the virus.
Adhering to the guidelines issued there will be a few slight changes, ones we are confident will not take away from your dining experience. We do ask if you wish to dine with us that you book in advance. Our maximum table size will be for six and we ask that you adhere to your booking slot as closely as possible to minimise too many guests arriving at once.
Initially we are open only on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, with food served all day 12-9.
Unfortunately no drinking at the bar will be permitted. We do have outside space available, weather permitting, for those who wish to join us for a drink. Currently tables within the pub will not be available to drinkers.
We are operating a one way system through the pub; please enter via the front door and exit by the rear of the building via the garden.
We ask that all guests do their best to follow the recommendations on the signage, use hand sanitizer available before entering the pub, and please stay home if you or guests are feeling unwell.
Our desire is to open within the guidelines, maintaining the same high standards we have always prided ourselves on. We appreciate some of these restrictions will make things a little more difficult. However hopefully these new rules will not be in place for too long, and we thank you for your understanding during this new era.
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News
Michelin Bib Gourmand Award
We were delighted to have been awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand! last year (2018/19) and equally happy to have retained it for 2019/2020!
2 AA Rossettes Award
Having been awarded 2 Rossettes by the AA in 2017 / 18, we are proud to have retained this award for 2018 / 19 and again this year for 2019 / 20
Top 50 Gastro Pub Award 2020
Once again we have been placed in the Estrella Damm Top 50 gastro Pub awards.
Delighted to say we came 6th in the UK!
Guest night with Will Devlin
Will’s garnish of Ants was a new one for most that evening! But definitely a highlight!
Guest Night with Russell Norman
Under his watchful eye, Rob prepared a 6 course tasting menu from Russell book ‘Polpo & Venice’. Matching Italian wines were a hit.
Guest Night with Steve Groves
We were thrilled to welcome Masterchef the Professionals winner and Head Chef of Roux at Parliament Square, Steve Groves.
Steve was in collab with Robert on a fabulous six course tasting menu with matching wines.
Guest Night with Tom Kerridge
Our recent guest night with Tom Kerridge was (not surprisingly) a complete sell out. More importantly, a fantastic evening was had by all!
We are planning to host more such evenings and will release details via our usual social media channels - Instagram and Facebook - as well as here on the website.
Food Pub of the Year award
The Compasses Inn was celebrating after being named the Best Food Pub in the Country in the John Smith’s Great British Pub Awards.
The awards, celebrating the UK’s best pubs, took place at the Park Lane Hilton, London and saw The Compasses beat off strong competition from rival operators.
Gastro Pub Chef of the Year award
View the Top 50 Gastro Pubs Article.
Stop Press: We are once again in the top 50 for 2019.
About Us
Hidden above the Downs between Canterbury and Ashford in Kent, the Compasses Inn is a great Rural Country Pub find, whether you are looking for a relaxed lunch, a special evening meal, or a pint of fine Kentish ale.
Husband and wife team Rob & Donna Taylor are in their seventh year at the Compasses, and clearly have a great love for what they do - reflected in the pubs' appearance and the care and attention to every detail inside. They have a wealth of knowledge between them, gained at some of the best restaurants and hotels in London and Australia.
In this, their seventh year, the Compasses has retained its Michelin Bib Gourmand for two years, and its two AA Rosettes for three years. They have been in the Top 50 Gastro Pub Awards for 4 years, being voted 6th in the country in 2019/20
Robert says he feels lucky to own such a gorgeous pub in a very beautiful part of rural Kent. "As an area of Outstanding Natural beauty (AONB) we are surrounded by Game Estates, Rivers for Fishing, amazing Farmlands with Local Producers - and not to forget the stunning coastline within striking distance." With meats coming from as little as 1/4 mile down the road, and vegetables, herbs and fruits used from their own garden, they really have grasped the concept of fresh local produce.
Donna describes the Compasses as a "muddy wellies and fine food kind of place" adding that "we have not lost sight of the pub's history as a Fine Ale House, and we endeavour to complement this with a fine Modern British Menu offering both light lunches and full evening meals with traditional foods in contemporary style.