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The Spread Eagle, 119, Forest Rd, Hawkenbury, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 5BT

Submitted by m on Fri, 28/04/2006 - 12:58.
The Spread Eagle, 119, Forest Rd, Hawkenbury, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 5BT

119, Forest Rd, Hawkenbury, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 5BT

01892 525414

I remember when John O'Hanlon opened up O'Hanlon's in London - a tiny pub in Clerkenwell that had had a terrible reputation as a strippers' pub, a real dive. From the minute you walked in the door you felt at home, his big cheery grin and light banter making you come back time after time.

I remember this because the opposite reaction is the most likely you would receive in the Spreadeagle in Hawkenbury. Blank, utterly vacant, no cheery hello, no nothing.

The pub itself is a standard, done out in Beefeater-style place, with a laminated menu and one or two blackboard "specials". The "specials" on the day we went were vegetarian lasagne or sirloin steak. Not very special then. The baguettes have a number of queer combinations and ludicrously come with half a bag of crisps scattered on your plate. My "fish n chips" was large, but the fish appeared to be either cooked from frozen or slightly old. Chips were from a bag of some sort and were not nice.

Prices are mid-range £4 - £8. Not worth it, sorry. M

The Spreadeagle, Hawkenbury

Submitted by m on Mon, 30/07/2007 - 19:12.

I have read your article on The spread eagle at hawkenbury. I am sure what you say was right, But 4 months ago I bought the pub and shut the food operation down,it is currently undergoing a kitchen rebuild and will be opening in the next few weeks. I would appriciate the removal of your old article as it has no reflection on the business now, and could only damage our £100,000 investment. We also own the Camden Arms Hotel at Pembury which has a very good reputation for its food. James Cunningham

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