The story
Bowleys at The Plough is a 24-cover fine dining restaurant in the village of Trottiscliffe, Kent, where seasonality and sustainability are not just words but the foundation of everything on the plate. Much of the produce is grown in the restaurant’s own kitchen garden, just 300 metres down the lane.
The restaurant is a deeply personal project for the Yates family. In 2020, together with the local community, they stepped in to save The Plough — a beautiful 15th-century Grade II-listed pub in the heart of Trottiscliffe. Rooted in the historic Bowley brewing legacy from Bristol, the family transformed the inn into an intimate dining destination.
Today, the restaurant is led by husband-and-wife team Head Chef Alex Yates and General Manager Grace Yates. Alex, who trained at Westminster Kingsway College and honed his skills at The Goring Hotel under chef Shay Cooper, brings a precision learned in Michelin-starred kitchens to the small, focused menu. Grace oversees front-of-house with a passion for wine, cocktails, and creating memorable experiences.
Their connection to food and drink spans generations — Alex’s father, David Yates, spent 26 years as a Wine Merchant for Balls Brothers of London.
The cooking is refined Modern British, driven by what is ready to be picked from the garden or sourced from local Kent producers. A sample Game Tasting menu gives a sense of the kitchen’s ambition and respect for ingredients: Roasted Quail with stuffed, glazed figs and a blackberry & heather jus; Rabbit with Red Hill grapes (loin, rack, leg, offal); Venison Loin with celeriac and Roscoff onion. Desserts like Lemon Thyme Posset with “Maltesers” tort mousse and malt ice cream show a playful, confident touch.
The wine list is a mix of long-loved winemakers and smaller producers, influenced by the dishes and including some locally produced Kent wines. The bar offers draught beer, excellent cocktails, and a cosy setting with an open fire.
Bowleys at The Plough has earned a place in the Michelin Guide, reflecting its commitment to quality and consistency. It also holds AA Rosettes and a Green Circle from the 360 Eat Guide, alongside recognition from The Good Food Guide, further affirming that this small village restaurant is delivering big ambition on a plate.
In a warm, intimate setting — just 24 covers — every detail matters, from the garden-grown vegetables to the Bowley brewing heritage that connects the Yates family to the pub’s long history.
Recognition
Ambience
Details
History
2 Rosette Award for Culinary Excellence
In the village of Trottiscliffe (pronounced ‘Tros-sley’) on the edge of the North Downs, the family-run, community-owned Plough is something of an oasis in a ’foodie desert’ hereabouts. The place still fulfils its brief as a pub, with pints of ale, snacks and small plates attracting a loyal crowd in the snug little bar, although the venue now stakes its reputation on Bowleys – a seperate dining room specialising in seasonal fine dining founded on local and regional produce. Expect to pay handsomely if you order from the carte or one of the tasting menus, where the repertoire might run from Dorset crab bouillabaisse to rack and saddle of lamb with calçot onion, pine nuts and cider. However, if you are looking for value, opt for the fixed-price two/three-course lunch deal. To start, a serving of spelt ‘risotto’ with butternut squash and local goat’s cheese flavoured with lemon and fried sage leaves was more accomplished than a rather chewy dish of artichoke agnolotti with sherry and salsa verde (more style than substance here). Mains were skilfully rendered, from supremely fresh, properly seasoned chalkstream trout with hot tartare sauce to moist corn-fed chicken breast with sage stuffing (served separately), baby leeks and a richly flavoured chicken velouté. To finish, the set menu has just one dessert or British cheese, although there is more choice on the carte (Cox’s apple with pear, honey and marigold, for example). We found the service somewhat robotic and impersonal, although staff are often assisted by chefs who help to describe the dishes on offer. The creditable wine list has a decent choice by the glass or carafe.
Location
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