The Bridge Arms near Canterbury has relaunched under new ownership with a more casual direction as a village pub, after four years under Daniel and Natasha Smith, the chef couple who run the nearby Fordwich Arms.
The couple have passed the lease on to their friend Elliot Hewitt, a former manager at the Fordwich who has also run Kent venues including The Rose, The Blue Pelican and The Zetland Arms. David Gadd, who spent six years at the Sportsman near Whitstable, is the new head chef.
Originally a village bath-house and later a coaching inn, the 16th-century venue wins high praise under the Smiths in the 2025 Harden’s guide for their ‘top-end food in a pub setting’– but also criticism for prices some reporters describe as ‘ridiculous’.
The Bridge also won a star from the tyre men – although Elliot has indicated that may change under the new regime.
He said: “We have notified Michelin there’s been a change, and I’m very open in saying we are not chasing the star – that’s part of being more affordable, more accessible to everybody. Ultimately, what would happen is inspectors will come, look at our menu and see we are not going for a star.“
