The Dirty Habit

Hollingbourne, Kent
Inn
+44 (0)1622 880880
Visit owner's website

Per night
£90 - £100
Bedroom

6 rooms

Sleeps

Rooms sleep 2

Children welcome
Babies welcome

A lovingly restored historic pub on the Pilgrim’s Way, with boutique rooms, a convivial bar and glorious North Downs walks from the door

Per night
£90 - £100

Visit the owner's site and book direct with them. No fees or fuss from us.

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£90 - £100 per night

The Experience

You’d never know it, but this ancient village pub was razed to the ground by a kitchen fire in 2023. It has since been painstakingly rebuilt, with the bar and dining rooms restored to exactly as they were before – timber, brickwork, dark wood panelling and all – plus six handsome new bedrooms upstairs. Monks once offered ale and lodgings here to pilgrims heading to Canterbury, and walkers still pass along the Pilgrim’s Way beside the pub today.

It’s a proper country pub, with a big wooden bar, scrubbed pine tables and a convivial atmosphere. Seasonal, locally sourced food ranges from wood-fired pizzas and pub classics to Josper-grilled steaks, best washed down with a pint of Harvey’s or local Westerham ale. Walks across the North Downs start from the door.

Upstairs, bedrooms are comfortable and characterful, with exposed brick, rustic beams and hand-painted murals – lovely after a day on the Downs.

The Dirty Habit - Gallery

We think you'll love

  • A glass of English wine from Wildshark, the pub's sister vineyard just up the road
  • Leeds Castle up the road, walking routes from the door, and a brilliant stopover en route to the Channel Tunnel or Dover ferries
  • The new bedrooms full of character; bag Pilgrim's Rest, the biggest, for its vaulted ceiling and fireplace
The Dirty Habit - Gallery

You should know

  • Stays are room only, with breakfast available at the sister pub, the Potting Shed in Langley, a 10-minute drive away
  • Dogs aren’t allowed in the bedrooms
  • Parking is limited, so arrive early if you’d like to secure a space in the rear car park

Essentials

  • EV charger
  • Swimming pool
  • Hot tub
  • Garden
  • Open fire / woodburner
  • Breakfast included
  • Breakfast available
  • Meals available
  • Vegetarian meals
  • Parking on premises
  • Free parking nearby
  • Accessible by public transport
  • WiFi
  • Spa
  • Central heating
  • Mobile reception
  • Hob
  • Bar
  • Barbecue
  • Licensed premises
  • Paid parking nearby
  • Air conditioning
  • Relaxation areas
  • Tennis court
  • No smoking
  • Credit cards
  • Working farm
  • Owner has pets
  • Pets welcome

Family friendly

  • Baby monitor
  • Books and toys
  • Children welcome
  • Babies welcome
  • Stair gates
  • High chair
  • Fire guard
  • Cot available

Nearby

  • Pub/bar within 3 miles
  • Restaurant within 3 miles
  • Shop within 3 miles

Activities

  • Bikes available
  • Food courses
  • Kayaking
  • Other courses
  • Sailing
  • Surfing
  • Wild swimming

Accommodation

Pricing

Nightly price
from £90
6 Doubles
From £90

Information

Booking information

Check in
3pm
Check out
11am
Closed
Never.
No smoking
Smoking not permitted anywhere in the property.
Meals
Starters from £8.25. Mains from £15.50. Desserts from £7.25. Sunday lunch from £19.

Reviews

Beautifully restored following a devastating fire in 2023, this historic inn reopened in May 2026 to once again welcome loyal locals for good food, thirsty walkers following the Pilgrim's Way to Canterbury (it passes the pub), and overnight guests in spanking new rooms. A great base for visiting Leeds Castle, a mile away, and for exploring the North Downs footpaths from the front door.
Inspected David Sawday's Inspector

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Location

The neighbourhood

Leeds Castle (one mile) has themed gardens, a maze and vineyard. Sissinghurst Castle Garden (11 miles) is Vita Sackville-West's celebrated creation, complete with her tower writing room. Bedgebury Pinetum (12 miles) has an amazing conifer collection, plus Go Ape and cycling trails. Wildshark Vineyard (three miles) offers tours.

Local points of interest from The Dirty Habit Team

  • Wildshark Vineyard is a 42-hectare eco-friendly estate offering vineyard tours and wine tastings, just down the road near Maidstone. Set along the chalky North Downs, it features sustainable land management and wild meadows.
  • The Pilgrims Way: Steeped in centuries of history, the ancient path right outside the doorstep once guided weary travellers and monks heading towards Canterbury.
  • Bountiful Kentish farms: Known as the "Garden of England", the surrounding region provides exceptional local ingredients, allowing the pub to source 85% of its produce within a 25-mile radius.
  • Abundant walking & cycling trails: The surrounding landscape is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a web of picturesque trails that start and end right at the pub.
  • The warm, welcoming locals of Hollingbourne and Maidstone offer an undeniable community spirit that passionately supported the pub's grand restoration and return.
  • Iconic local landmarks like the majestic Leeds Castle sit just a short distance away, drawing history lovers to the village.