The Chequers Inn

The Chequers Inn puts the stay inside a 14th-century former coaching inn in the village of Smarden, near Ashford.

Photo of The Chequers Inn by Toby Pett on Google Maps

The building is a Grade II listed public house with timber framing, later red-brick frontage, and weatherboarding, so the stay has the character of an old Kent inn rather than a standard chain hotel. The bar, restaurant, and bedrooms have been refurbished, and the property reopened its pub and restaurant in November 2024.

Rooms at The Chequers Inn include en-suite bathrooms with walk-in showers, towels, toiletries, a TV, a kettle, tea, coffee, milk, and a hair dryer. One single room is at the back of the property with a small double bed, an en-suite shower, and an original fireplace from the 1800s section of the building.

The stay works well for guests who want food and drink in the same building. The Chequers Inn has a restaurant for lunch and dinner on its operating days, a bar, outdoor seating, a rear garden, and a garden bar that opens on summer weekends. Breakfast is served in the building on Saturday and Sunday mornings only, so weekday stays do not include the same breakfast schedule.

The Chequers Inn in Ashford suits travelers who prefer a small historic inn with a pub setting, individual room details, and on-site dining. It is not presented as a large hotel; the appeal is the restored village inn atmosphere, the garden space, and the ability to eat downstairs without leaving the property.

The Chequers Inn in 360°