The Chequers, Crockenhill

A plate of a ploughman’s lunch features a crusty baguette, several slices of ham, and slices of cheddar cheese. The meal is complemented by a small side salad with mixed greens, pickled onions, a gherkin, and a small dish of chutney. The setting is casual, with the plate placed on a dark wooden table, accompanied by eyeglasses, a coaster, and a glass of cider in the background, evoking a cozy pub dining atmosphere.

  

The Location

The Chequers
Cray Road
Crockenhill
Swanley
BR8 8LP

Website https://www.thechequerscrockenhill.co.uk

Date of Visit – 22/06/2024

The Food

7 – Pickled Onion Some good-sized pickled onions on the plate (silver skins, as usual), with some gherkins. They were good, flavour, crunch, and not too acidic.

8 – Pickle It’s not Ploughman’s pickle, but it’s no problem. It was a chutney and entirely appropriate and Satisfactory.

7 – Cheese / Ham

Cheese Cheddar – It was OK. But sliced? Was this from a pack of pre-sliced cheese? I’m OK with that because this is still how I feel, just applied it to another dish! A tad on the mild side, I prefer my cheddar to have more West Country oomph. This just seemed like a bit of OK mousetrap. A bit small too, but you should know by now I’m cheese-greedy.

The Ham The ham was a triumph, and once again rescued the cheese and ham score here! Cheese alone would have scored a lot lower. The ham was perfect. Moist, tasty, just the right thickness and a reasonable quantity.

7 – Bread Standard Pub Par-baked baguette. It wasn’t bad, just nicely crisp and warmed.

3 – Spread Butter. The butter was missing, and I had to ask for it. It did arrive quickly and it tasted OK, though.

3 – Presentation The presentation was OK, nothing wrong with it, but there was no journey.

1 – Salad Nothing particularly wrong with it, and it would have been missed. But it was tired and limp.

1 – Originality Pretty standard, nothing stands out.

Food Total: 37


The image is a top-down view of a classic Ploughman's lunch, served on a white plate. The meal includes a sliced, crusty baguette in the center, with two slices of ham and a few slices of mild cheddar cheese arranged neatly on the left side of the plate. On the right, there are three large pickled gherkins, a few pickled onions, and a small metal dish containing chutney. The dish sits on a base of fresh mixed greens, which adds a touch of color to the presentation. The plate is set on a dark wooden table, and the corner of a coaster is visible, hinting at the casual pub dining atmosphere. The clean, organized presentation emphasizes the simplicity and traditional elements of this British favorite.
Ploughman’s at the Chequers Crockenhill flatlay

Beverages

7 – Drinks Beer. I had Neck Oil by Beavertown. A reasonable selection of drinks was kept well.

Drinks Total: 7


The Venue

7 – Service The service was good, and the staff were very friendly and helpful. We were made to feel welcome.

8 – Atmosphere Old-fashioned boozer, country setting, more of a town atmosphere. Nice and cosy.

3 – Location Edge of the countryside, quite nice.

4 – Toilets Standard, good.

Venue Total: 22


Total Score: 66

Editor’s Note

Support your local pub. You will miss them when they’re gone.

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