A True English Pub, Made with Heart
The Bull is a true standout, a place where food is prepared with care. From generous Sunday roasts to vibrant vegan and gluten-free plates, every dish is made to be savoured. The drinks list is equally considered, with real ales, craft beers, and a refined gin selection that complements the menu beautifully. Add to that live music, seasonal events, and a genuinely warm welcome, and you have a space that feels effortlessly inviting , the kind of pub you return to, time and again.
Pub People
Whenever you visit us, you’ll be met by the warmth and charm of our remarkable pub people, custodians of tradition and welcome. In our proudly independent, locally rooted pub, a team spirit runs deep, offering every guest not just service with smiles, but a sense of belonging. It is this quiet pride and personal touch that makes each visit truly memorable
A Fascinating History
Set along Tonbridge Road, The Bull at Barming has welcomed locals and travellers since at least the early 1800s. In 1837, it was run by John Tanner, a respected landlord during a time when the inn was central to village life. By 1851, Thomas Hards held the licence, serving as both publican and postmaster, a vital figure in the community. Through the Victorian era, The Bull stood witness to change, with its tiled roof, timber frame, and painted brickwork gaining Grade II listing. Generations of families, like the Bakers, Tanners, and Hards kept its heart beating. Today, while menus and faces have changed, the pub still looks out over open fields, proudly serving as a timeless meeting place just outside Maidstone, where past and present sit comfortably side by side
Barming and Kent
Barming is a lovely little gem just outside Maidstone, with leafy lanes, charming cottages, and a pace of life that invites you to breathe deeply and smile. Surrounded by Kent’s rolling countryside, orchards, hop gardens, and golden fields, it’s the very picture of pastoral England. The River Medway meanders nearby, and historic towns like Aylesford and West Malling offer antique shops, abbeys, and afternoon teas. It’s a place of gentle pleasures and quiet wonder, where every turn of the road feels like a scene from a storybook.