This 14th Century inn is situated just off the M20 north of Maidstone and stands right on the Pilgrims Way. This is a very ancient trackway which runs between Winchester and Canterbury and was already an important West – East trade route in pre-Roman times, between 500 and 450BC. There has been an inn on the spot since the 14th Century, and it stands at the foot of the steep North Downs escarpment. The name is derived from the need to supply a “cock” or trace horse to provide the necessary horsepower to get stage coaches and heavy carts up the hill. The stables can still be seen at the rear of the building. Although there has been some alteration over the years there are still a lot of the original features still in place helping to create a warm and friendly atmosphere.
