The Bull Inn, West Malling

Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Bull Inn

One of two West Malling pubs in the 2027 Good Beer Guide, this one is located at the northern end of the High Street. Trains pass by just behind the pub's garden which apparently features a fish pond.

On my late Wednesday afternoon visit, all customers were in the bar, which is to the right of the entrance. I didn't visit the room to the left, which is apparently used for dining. A few locals were engaged in conversation when I walked in but is all fell silent very quickly! A TV was switched off and some background music could have helped create some kind of atmosphere.

The room is quite dark with leaded windows to the front being pretty much the only source of light. Flooring is bare boards with a slightly raised area to the rear leading to the toilets. A fireplace near the entrance featured some horse brasses.

Regular cask ales here are Young's London Original & Goacher's Gold Star. Guests were St Austell Tribute, Grainstore Zahara, Goacher's Dark & Larkin's Best Bitter. A Bull Inn Special beer is apparently brewed by Tonbridge but a wooly hat on the handpull meant it was off. Two other clips were turned round. Keg beers included Brewdog Wingman & Wychwood Hobgoblin IPA. The cider was Somersby Blackberry, whilst my half of Goacher's Dark was a reasonable £2.65.

There is no wifi here and no mobile phone signal either. Dogs are allowed in, live music is advertised and so are Sunday roasts.

I found the atmosphere in here to be a bit muted. I note CAMRA describe this as a "welcoming free house", which wasn't really my experience. The pub could also benefit from some more light. However, the beer range is good.

On 4^th October 2026 - rating: 5
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