Harden's says
A new village pub from the team behind the uber-successful Fordwich Arms. Formerly known as The White Horse Inn.
Harden's survey result
Summary
This “atmospheric” former coaching inn just south of Canterbury changed hands after our annual diners’ poll was completed in summer 2025, with chef-owners Dan & Tasha Smith of the Fordwich Arms passing the lease to their friend Elliot Hewitt (a former Fordwich manager). He promised to take the menu in a more ‘casual’ direction, but with ex-Sportsman chef David Gadd running the kitchen the cooking standard should remain high.
Summary
“Top-end food in a pub setting” has won plaudits for ex-Clove Club chef Daniel Smith and his wife Tasha, a pastry chef, since they took over this 16th-century former coaching inn just south of Canterbury three years ago: “there’s a nice mix of people just having a drink and those out for a top-notch meal”. Its ratings declined this year, though, due to a couple of diners who feel “prices are ludicrous for good, but far from exceptional food”. The Smiths also run the nearby Fordwich Arms. Top Tip – “the set menu represents terrific value”.
Summary
This old drovers’ inn just outside Canterbury is “very atmospheric and comfortable, but the food is truly the star” – “really well executed but not overly fussy” and “a real dining treat”. Former Clove Club chef Daniel Smith and his wife Tasha, herself a pastry chef, have settled in the village and created a “chilled pub with food that surprises” with its excellence. They also run the nearby Fordwich Arms. Top Menu Tip – “best lobster and chips ever”.
Summary
“Top-quality Kentish ingredients prepared inventively and with great skill” are served in this “wonderful gastropub in a pretty village a couple of miles from Canterbury”. Launched in 2021 in their adopted home village by ambitious chef couple Daniel & Tasha Smith, of nearby big-hitter the Fordwich Arms, it focuses on cooking over locally produced charcoal on a Josper Grill – and is already “among the finest gastropubs anywhere”.
For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at The Bridge Arms?
53 High Street, Bridge, CT4 5LA
Restaurant details
The Bridge Arms Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Lovely food & fantastic atmosphere. Service a little hit & miss at times but staff are all very friendly"
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £32.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £4.50 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £4.00 |
| Service | 10.00% |
53 High Street, Bridge, CT4 5LA
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | CLOSED |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5:30 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5:30 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5:30 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑5 pm |
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