School Ln, Higham, Rochester ME3 7HP

About This Pub

Ah, Knowle Country House – it's one of those places that really sticks in your mind, isn't it? Tucked away in Kent, it's got this wonderful country house vibe with sprawling gardens that make you want to linger and soak it all in. From the reviews, it sounds like they've nailed the big occasions, with staff going out of their way to ensure everything runs like clockwork, whether it's helping with wedding plans or serving up delicious food that leaves you smiling. I love the idea of their conservatory and bar for a relaxed drink while enjoying the views, and those cheese and wine evenings seem like a fun way to unwind with friends. But, to be fair, it's not all perfect – there've been a few grumbles about service slips, like drinks not being handled quite right at events, which could put a damper on things if you're after something seamless. Overall, if you're eyeing it for a special do, I'd say it's worth checking out for that wow factor, but for a simple night out, it might feel a bit more formal than your typical local haunt. Still, it's got that warm, welcoming heart that makes you want to give it a go.

Pros and Cons

Pros
  • The venue is absolutely stunning, with beautiful gardens and grounds that are perfect for weddings and special events – ideal for creating those breathtaking photos.
  • The staff are incredibly helpful and attentive, making any occasion feel seamless and stress-free, as shared by many happy couples.
  • They've got a lovely conservatory and bar area that's great for relaxing, plus fun events like cheese and wine tastings that add a bit of excitement.
  • The food comes highly praised, with tasty meals and thoughtful touches like prosecco on arrival, making it a real treat for any gathering.
Cons
  • Service can be inconsistent at times, with some reports of unprofessional moments like improper handling of drinks during events, which might spoil the experience a tad.
  • It feels more geared towards weddings and formal functions rather than casual get-togethers, so it might not be the spot for a laid-back evening out.

Contact Information

School Ln, Higham, Rochester ME3 7HP
+441474822262
Restaurant
Open Now

Opening Hours

Monday09:00 - 23:30
Tuesday09:00 - 23:30
Wednesday09:00 - 23:30
Thursday (Today)09:00 - 23:30
Friday09:00 - 23:30
Saturday09:00 - 23:30
Sunday09:00 - 23:30

Location

Recent Reviews

Myself and my now Husband Kane got married at Knowle Country House mid September. It was honestly the most perfect day which had much to do with the amazing staff and beautiful venue. Weddings can be typically stressful, however the staff at Knowle Country House make everything a breeze. I dropped my decorations at the venue a couple of days before and they assist in all the setting up so all I had to do in the morning was drink prosecco and get ready! They also allocate a staff member to look after you throughout the day and evening. We were very busy as the evening food was being served so the kind team even made up a plate of buffet food and wedding cake to be left in our room for when we went to bed! I don't typically write reviews but I had to for this amazing venue and would not want anyone to hesitate in booking their wedding here. We look forward to returning here for dinner to celebrate future anniversaries 🥰
AH
Anna Harris
We had our wedding celebration at The Knowle Country House in July 2024 and had a great time. We chose this venue over many others that we had viewed and visited in this country and abroad. We were looking for a place with a wow factor. Yes, we could have had the wow of a beach wedding in somewhere like the Maldives or Mexico, but there would never be the classically British architecture and history of The Knowle, nor the superb gardens, and the venue where more of our friends and family could join us. The clinching factor though, was meeting with Mark and his team, and their friendliness and professionalism won through. The arrangements proceeded in a very professional manor, that gave us confidence that our day would be made very special. The venue gave really good recommendations as to photographers, videographers, DJ etc that they knew would work well with the venue. The venue was very busy at the time of our celebration with a wedding the day before and after ours. We had prepared a lot of materiel needing to be transported to the venue (including a large TV to view the England football match!). The Knowle provided space in a secure store room for our stuff which made the day much less stressfull. We were glad of this The day itself, passed very smoothly indeed, no thanks to very changeable weather conditions. Our particular thanks go to Mel, who kept a tight hand on the riens, and is a lady that needs no microphone when making announcements. (We really appreciate your help throughout our day Mel) Our wedding day was brilliant, thank you to all at the Knowle, The grounds were beautiful, the food was served quickly and professionally and was delicious, both during the day and in the evening and the drinks were quickly replenished. Whilst this venue is not cheap, it was worth every penny and our guests all said how perfect it was. I also asked for a free bar for our guests. I was kept informed at every £500 spent on the bar, and I have to say that the final bar bill was considerably less than I had anticipated, my friends and family having not stinted themselves in the drinks department. We could not have asked for more, so thank you to all at The Knowle for creating the perfect day for my wife and I.
MH
Michael Howard
The location is beautiful but the service must absolutely improve. The tall blonde waitress is fantastic, and a couple of other guys were great. However, it is not acceptable to have waitresses holding three bottles of wine under their arms while serving wine at a wedding reception. This is not their fault, they should’ve been trained on how to serve people, those girls were very young and probably nobody told them on how to carry, present, and serve wine. In such a stunning location those kind of shortfalls are non justifiable.
GR
Giuseppe Roberto
Wowie - where do we start? We had our dream wedding here on the 23/08/23 and it ran perfectly. From our first meeting with Mark, to our constant looking after from Kelly, to all the staff who delivered on the day, you have all exceeded yourselves. We had numerous activities throughout the day and lots of props/favours. To say the least, this could easily go wrong, but nothing was ever too much trouble for the Knowle Country House. The staff were amazing, checking in and making sure that we were happy with it all. Special thanks to Imogen and Vicky who coordinated the day, and they were the perfect people for us. They helped with our nerves and also any bits and bobs on the day itself, which you definitely need! The food was incredible 5*+++ Many of our guests have commented on how good the food was, and that desert trolley, was the cutest touch. We had our dream aisle, the runway style, the first I believe here and they made it feel super special. The gardens, the aesthetics, the grounds are amazing, you won’t be disappointed! We can’t thank the Knowle Country House enough for what they did on our special day, and we can’t wait to visit again for Xmas 🎄 maybe a little different weather to what we had haha. Have your wedding here, it’s the best! Love always Em&H #RB23
ER
Emma Richardson
A perfect Valentine's meal with my wife. We arrived at 6pm, were greeted with a glass of prosecco, were led to a beautiful dining room and were made to feel welcome. Table decorations were lovely. The food was well-presented and tasty and we weren't expecting a cheese board after the dessert! The cheese board was a meal in itself. We did not leave feeling hungry. Arriving early meant we didn't have wait for our courses and staff were very helpful. We will be back and I don't feel the need to search for another venue next year!
JF
Jonathan Fryer

Nearby Pubs - Perfect Pub Crawl

Discover the 5 closest pubs to this location for an ideal pub crawl experience.

The Copperfield
The Copperfield

Gravesend Rd, Shorne, Gravesend DA12 3JW

80/100 1.5mi
Cliffe Men's Social Club
Cliffe Men's Social Club

Symonds Rd, Cliffe, Rochester ME3 7SS

85/100 3.1mi
Six Bells
Six Bells

181 Church St, Cliffe, Rochester ME3 7QD

91/100 3.7mi
The Ship
The Ship

2 Princess Margaret Rd, East Tilbury, Tilbury RM18 8PB

92/100 4.0mi
Harvester Gravesend
Harvester Gravesend

Rochester Rd, Chalk, Gravesend DA12 4TN

82/100 4.6mi