I spent the day exploring some of Rotherham’s independent micropubs, travelling between Waverley, Bramley, Brecks, Broom and Rawmarsh by bus. It was great to see how many former shops, offices and commercial buildings have found a new purpose as welcoming community pubs. Along the way I received some fantastic welcomes, caught up with friends old and new, and enjoyed plenty of conversation with pub owners, staff and local CAMRA members. Each venue had its own character, from modern community bars to cosy micropubs full of personality. A varied range of cask ales made the day even better, with plenty of excellent beers enjoyed throughout.
Monthly Archives: May 2026
23/05/26 – Skipton
I headed over to Skipton for a brilliant day exploring the Beer Festival along with a fantastic mix of pubs and micropubs around the town. The festival inside Skipton Town Hall had a busy, friendly atmosphere with plenty of real ales, ciders, wines and a separate KeyKeg bar to enjoy. Throughout the day I visited a great range of places, from traditional Yorkshire pubs to modern bars and cosy micropubs, each with their own character. It was also lovely catching up with Colleen from Keighley & Craven CAMRA, followers Graham and Martin, plus meeting up later with Paul, Suzie, Mike and Debbie for a few more pubs around town.
13/05/26 and 16/05/26 – Margate and Westgate-on-Sea
Over the two days I headed around Margate, Cliftonville and Westgate-on-Sea with Paul, Karen, Neil and Glen, alongside meeting up with a number of people from Thanet CAMRA along the way. It turned into a brilliant couple of days exploring a real mix of micropubs, taprooms and seafront bars, each with their own character and stories behind them. From harbour views and cosy old buildings to colourful interiors packed with memorabilia, there was plenty to take in between the pubs. I enjoyed some excellent beers throughout, met lots of friendly faces and had some great conversations along the way. Overall, it was a warm, relaxed couple of days around Thanet’s pub scene.
16/05/26 – Broadstairs
I spent an afternoon in Broadstairs, heading around a mix of pubs with Neil from Neil’s Real Ale and Pub Page and Glen from Mind the Gap Micropub. I started at The Magnet before making my way to The Chapel, where it was great meeting new owner Liam and hearing more about the pub’s next chapter. From there I headed up to Mind the Gap for a catch up with Drew, before finishing at The Royston, which was packed with character, quirky décor and a fantastic atmosphere throughout the afternoon. Along the way there were some cracking beers, plenty of good conversation and a really friendly welcome everywhere we went. It all made for a relaxed and enjoyable afternoon by the coast.
15/05/26 – Gillingham, Strood, Gravesend and Chatham/Rochester
Friday took me across the Thames and Medway area, calling into a fantastic mix of micropubs, brewery taps and independent pubs in Rainham, Gillingham, Strood, Gravesend and Rochester. Along the way I caught up with plenty of familiar faces, enjoyed some great conversations and sampled a wide range of cask ales, ciders and craft beers. Each stop had its own character, from railway arches and vaulted cellars to historic timber-framed buildings and busy brewery taprooms. What really stood out throughout the day was the warm welcome everywhere I visited, with every pub offering something slightly different while still keeping that relaxed, friendly atmosphere that makes these trips so enjoyable.
14/05/26 – Faversham and Sittingbourne
I had a fantastic evening exploring Faversham and Sittingbourne, calling into a great mix of pubs and micropubs along the way. In Faversham, I enjoyed visits to Creekers Tap, Furlongs Ale House and the newly opened The Bank, each offering plenty of character and a brilliant range of beers. I then headed over to Sittingbourne for a visit to Yellow Stocks, where there was a lovely welcome and a good chat with regular Bill. It was also great spending the evening with Andy and James from The Royston Micropub and Don from TrAles of The Unexpected, which made the whole trip even more enjoyable.
14/05/26 – Walmer and Deal
I had a really enjoyable day exploring Walmer and Deal, visiting a great mix of pubs, micropubs and independent places along the way. From the cosy maritime feel inside The Freed Man to the friendly atmosphere at Just Reproach and the laid-back character of Smugglers Record Shop, everywhere had its own personality. It was also great to catch up with Tony from Deal CAMRA, Andy and James from The Royston Micropub, John from TrAles of the Unexpected and Paul from Dover, which made the day even more memorable. There was plenty of good conversation, a lot of laughs and some excellent beers throughout the day, making it another cracking trip around the Kent coast.
13/05/26 – Ramsgate
Today saw me heading around Ramsgate, calling into a mix of pubs and micropubs across the town while enjoying plenty of good conversation along the way. I started at The Hovelling Boat Inn before hopping on the LOOP bus to the Montefiore Arms, then continued on to the Conqueror Alehouse where it was great catching up with Hayden and Theresa again. The highlight of the afternoon was spending the day with friends from Dover, Paul and Karen, as we carried on exploring together. A final stop at Ale House in the Middle of Our Street rounded things off nicely, with plenty of warm welcomes, good beer and relaxed surroundings throughout the day.
12/05/26 – Whitstable, Swalecliffe and Herne Bay
I spent the day exploring Whitstable, Swalecliffe and Herne Bay, calling into a fantastic mix of pubs and micropubs along the way. From the historic feel of Ship Centurion to the colourful character of Handsome Sam and the relaxed setting at The Brickfield, each place had something different about it. Herne Bay was packed with welcoming stops too, including Beer on the Pier, Parkerville, The Cosmic Sailor, The Pub and The Firkin Frog. It was great meeting so many friendly people throughout the day, enjoying some excellent cask ales and soaking up plenty of coastal character across all three places.
11/05/26 – Maidstone and West Malling
I had a really enjoyable day exploring Maidstone and West Malling, starting at Craft Brewed where it was great to finally meet Peter and Don from Maidstone CAMRA. Over a couple of drinks and a chat, it felt like the perfect way to begin the trip. From there I headed around a brilliant mix of pubs, each with their own character, from the relaxed atmosphere at The Flower Pot to the cosy feel of The Malling Jug. The Cellars Alehouse was another highlight, full of character beneath the old brewery arches, before finishing in the wonderfully traditional Rifle Volunteers. Plenty of good beer, friendly faces and fascinating local brewing history throughout the day.
Micropub Adventures 