Photo: The Bull, OtfordCountry pubs in Kent for a Sunday lunch after a walk
There are few better ways to spend a Sunday in West Kent than a couple of hours on the footpaths followed by a roast by the fire. The best pubs for it sit close to a trail, welcome walkers and serve food late enough that you do not have to rush the walk.
Every pub in this guide is a WH Pubs house, and they appear on the site as featured partners. We have ordered them on how well each suits a walk and a Sunday lunch, and noted where details such as dog policies need checking.
Where listed, Sunday roasts run from £19.95 for the nut roast to £28.95 for the big mixed roast, and Sunday food finishes at 8pm at four of the five. Book ahead in autumn and winter.
The pubs, in order
Ranked on how close the walking is and how well each suits a Sunday lunch.
Photo: The Bull, OtfordThe Bull, Otford
The Bull is a historic coaching inn on Otford's High Street that has been serving the village since 1642. Expect open fires in the colder months, a proper bar with craft beers, a garden for summer and a seasonal British menu with a strong Sunday roast. It sits a few minutes from the North Downs Way and the Darent Valley Path, so it makes an easy lunch stop on a walk, and dogs get their own menu.
Why it's here: A coaching inn since 1642, a few minutes from the North Downs Way and the Darent Valley Path, with open fires and Sunday roasts from £19.95. Dogs get their own menu.
Photo: The Little Brown Jug, Chiddingstone CausewayThe Little Brown Jug, Chiddingstone Causeway
The Little Brown Jug is a characterful brick pub near Penshurst, Chiddingstone and Hever that is built for families. Book your own tiki hut, sit under the retractable roof whatever the weather, and let children loose on the adventure playground while you eat. The menu runs from breakfast and pub classics to Sunday roasts with a kids' version, and dogs have their own menu. Walks to Chiddingstone and Hever Castle start close by.
Why it's here: The Three Castles Walk starts nearby, and there is a kids' roast at £13.95 and an adventure playground, which makes it the pick for families.
Photo: The Cricketers Inn, MeophamThe Cricketers Inn, Meopham
The Cricketers Inn sits on Meopham Green, a couple of minutes from the restored Meopham Windmill, and was named Gastropub of the Year 2026 for the South of England by the Prestige Awards. Food is cooked to order using locally sourced ingredients, from pub classics and Sunday roasts to Thursday curry nights. Eat in the bar, the elegant Orangery or the BBQ garden, and the Meopham Green circuit makes a gentle walk before or after.
Why it's here: On Meopham Green near the restored windmill, with the Meopham Green circuit for a gentle walk and Sunday roasts cooked to order. Named Gastropub of the Year 2026 for the South of England by the Prestige Awards.
Photo: The Chaser Inn, ShipbourneThe Chaser Inn, Shipbourne
The Chaser Inn is a handsome tile-hung country pub looking over Shipbourne's village green, right beside St Giles' Church. Inside there are fires for winter, and outside a courtyard and garden for warmer days. The seasonal British menu covers pub classics, vegan dishes and steaks, and there is afternoon tea and a weekly Steak Night too. Ightham Mote and the Greensand Way are close by, so it pairs well with a countryside walk.
Why it's here: A tile-hung pub on Shipbourne's village green, with fires in winter and the Shipbourne and Greensand Way circular walk starting a short distance away. Ask about dogs before you go.
Photo: The Rose & Crown, OrpingtonThe Rose & Crown, Orpington
The Rose & Crown is a friendly community pub in Green Street Green, on the edge of Orpington where London meets Kent. It is a strong pick for families, with a dedicated kids' play area, tiki huts in the garden and stone-baked pizzas from the Pizza Shack. The main menu covers pub classics, sharing steaks and Sunday roasts. High Elms Country Park and Darwin's Down House are a short drive away.
Why it's here: More community pub than country pub, but High Elms Country Park is 10 to 15 minutes' drive away, and there is a children's play area and Sunday roasts.
Walks to pair them with
Pair Ightham Mote with The Chaser, Chiddingstone with The Little Brown Jug, and Knole or One Tree Hill with a lunch on the Sevenoaks side.
Image: Ightham MoteIghtham Mote
Ightham Mote is a moated medieval manor house tucked into the countryside near Sevenoaks, with 700 years of history under one roof. Explore rooms from different eras, wander the 14-acre garden, then stretch your legs on more than 500 acres of estate walking trails. Booking is not required, making it an easy half-day trip.
Why it's here: More than 500 acres of estate trails, open dawn to dusk, and a natural play area. Parking is £4 for non-members, coins only.
Image: Chiddingstone CastleChiddingstone Castle
Chiddingstone Castle is a historic house in the countryside near Edenbridge, home to wide-ranging historic collections. Visit the house and tea room in season, or come at any time of year to walk the free grounds, lake and woodland trails. It is a quieter alternative to the bigger castles nearby.
Why it's here: Free grounds with a lake and woodland trails, open daily except during private functions.
Image: One Tree HillOne Tree Hill
One Tree Hill is an unstaffed National Trust countryside site near Sevenoaks, with a network of woodland paths and a view south over the Weald of Kent. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, so look out for rare plants, insects and molluscs as you walk. Free and dog-friendly, it is ideal for a short countryside walk.
Why it's here: A free, dog-friendly woodland walk with views south over the Weald, on a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Image: KnoleKnole
Knole has been an archbishop's palace, a royal residence and the Sackville family home, and sits within Kent's last medieval deer park on the edge of Sevenoaks. Tour the showrooms and climb the Gatehouse Tower, or simply walk the 1,000-acre park where a wild deer herd roams. Allow half a day for the house, or an hour or two for a park walk.
Why it's here: Kent's last medieval deer park, with a wild deer herd, open dawn to dusk. Dogs must be on a lead.
A grander Sunday lunch
If the occasion calls for a country house rather than a pub.
Photo: Salomons EstateSalomons Estate
Salomons Estate is a Grade II listed Victorian country house estate near Tunbridge Wells, set in 36 acres of gardens, woodland and lakes. Associated with the Salomons family, including the scientist and inventor Sir David Lionel Salomons, it is now a weddings, events and hospitality venue with 47 bedrooms and six cottages. Visitors can also book afternoon tea, Sunday lunch or the weekday bistro.
Why it's here: A Victorian manor in 36 acres of gardens, woodland and lakes near Tunbridge Wells, serving Sunday lunch from £29.95 on selected dates. It is also a featured partner.
Questions people ask
Which pub suits a walk on the North Downs Way?
The Bull in Otford is a few minutes from the North Downs Way and the Darent Valley Path, and serves Sunday roasts with food until 8pm on Sundays.
How much is a Sunday roast at these pubs?
At The Bull, The Cricketers Inn, The Little Brown Jug and The Rose & Crown, Sunday roasts run from £19.95 for the nut roast to £28.95 for the big mixed roast. The Little Brown Jug also has a kids' roast at £13.95.
Are dogs welcome?
The Bull, The Little Brown Jug, The Cricketers Inn and The Rose & Crown all have dog menus or treats. The Chaser Inn does not set out a dog policy on its website, so ask before you visit.
Do I need to book?
Booking is sensible for Sunday lunch, especially in autumn and winter. Each pub takes bookings online or by phone.