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Seaside Pubs and Micropubs Around 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.
Ramsgate grew from a small fishing and farming settlement into one of Kent’s best-known seaside towns. Its harbour was first developed in the mid-1700s to provide shelter for ships navigating the dangerous Goodwin Sands, and it later became the UK’s only Royal Harbour after King George IV awarded the title in 1821. During the Georgian and Victorian periods, Ramsgate became popular with holidaymakers arriving from London by steamboat and later by rail. The town also played an important role during the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940. Today, Ramsgate is still known for its harbour, sandy beach, maritime history and impressive Regency architecture.
Hovelling Boat Inn
Wednesday saw me start the day in Ramsgate at The Hovelling Boat Inn . The Hovelling Boat Inn has a story that goes back much further than most micropubs. A pub of the same name stood on York Street until 1909, then the building spent over a century in other uses, including dining rooms, a florist and a gift shop. It reopened as The Hovelling Boat Inn in March 2013, bringing the old name back after 104 years. “Hovelling” refers to local boatmen who worked around the harbour, helping ships in trouble or guiding them safely in. Today, the pub links Ramsgate’s maritime past with its modern micropub story.
Inside feels bright, compact and welcoming, with a layout that makes the most of its narrow space. Wooden floors, bench seating and closely placed tables give it a cosy feel without seeming cramped, while exposed brick and dark wood panelling add a bit of character and age. The décor mixes maritime touches with a more modern micropub style, including old photographs, bookshelves and chalkboards listing beers and food. Large front windows bring in plenty of light during the day, balanced by warm lighting deeper inside. Overall, it feels relaxed, friendly and closely tied to Ramsgate’s seafront setting.
A warm welcome from Gary who was working and it was great chatting to you. Drinks wise a selection of 4 cask ales to choose from. I went for Everytime by Bristol Beer Factory, a pale ale with bright citrus hop notes and a fresh, lively finish.
The Montefiore Arms
I headed on the LOOP bus in Ramsgate to Montefiore Arms by GADDS’ Ramsgate Brewery. The Montefiore Arms dates back to at least the 1870s, with John Fowler recorded as licensee from 1871. Its name comes from Sir Moses Montefiore, the Victorian financier and philanthropist who had strong links with Ramsgate. Tucked behind Eastcliff, it has long been a proper backstreet local serving the surrounding streets. Old brewery glass also links it to Flint & Co ales, part of Ramsgate’s brewing past. Ramsgate Brewery, better known as Gadds’, took it on in 2014 and bought the freehold in 2025, helping secure its future.
Inside still feels like a proper old corner pub, with its traditional layout and dark wooden bar running through the main room. Wood panelling, patterned carpets and well-used furniture give the place a warm, lived-in feel, while smaller seating areas and tucked-away corners make it feel relaxed and comfortable. Towards the back there’s a separate room with a bar billiards table, along with doors leading out to a compact courtyard decorated with colourful mural artwork that wraps around the outside of the building. Old-style etched windows and local touches throughout help the pub feel closely tied to the street around it.
On the bar a selection of 3 cask ales, a Kentish cider and a variety of keg options. I went for She Sells Sea Shells by Gadds’ The Ramsgate Brewery, a pale ale with floral hop notes and a clean, refreshing finish.
The Conqueror Alehouse
Next in Ramsgate was another short bus ride to The Conqueror Micro Pub Ramsgate . The Conqueror Alehouse opened on Grange Road in November 2010, making it Thanet’s first micropub and one of the earliest in the country. It was created from a former corner shop, keeping the idea clear and modest. Its name comes from Conqueror, a two-funnelled paddle steamer that once ran between Ramsgate and France in the early 1900s. The pub’s story is closely tied to the start of the Kent micropub movement, turning a small shop space into a local drinking spot with a strong link to the town’s maritime past.
Inside makes the most of a very small former shop unit, with tables and seating packed neatly into one narrow room. White panelled walls and warm wooden flooring keep the space bright, while nautical touches including oars, lifebuoys and old paintings reflect its seaside setting. A small serving area sits towards the back, alongside a temperature-controlled cask storage unit visible through glass doors, giving a glimpse of the beer cellar from the seating area. Handwritten boards, pump clips and bits of local memorabilia cover the walls without making the room feel cluttered. Overall, it feels friendly, informal and centred around conversation in a compact, well-used space.
It was great seeing and chatting to Hayden and Theresa again, along with local friends Paul and Karen who joined me for the rest of the day. On the bar a selection of 3 cask ales, alongside a wide range of ciders and a range of bottles. I went for Mad Dog Mild by Hop Monster, a dark mild with roasted malt flavour and a smooth, mellow finish.
Ale House in the Middle of our Street
I headed out to the Northwood area to visit Ale House in the Middle of Our Street. Ale House in the Middle of our Street began life as NauticAles, a micropub converted from former offices on Margate Road. Planning was first refused, then granted in 2016, and it opened on 21 April that year. NauticAles closed in July 2022, before reopening under new owners on 17 June 2023 with its current name. The name is a playful nod to the Madness song Our House, fitting its position on a residential street in Northwood. Its story is short, but it neatly reflects Ramsgate’s modern micropub movement.
Inside feels more like a comfortable front room than a traditional pub, with a relaxed layout built around a small wooden bar and a mix of tables, sofas and high-backed armchairs. The décor is informal and personal, with patterned wallpaper, shelves of books, framed signs and little decorative touches spread throughout the room. Soft lighting, cushions and throws help give it a cosy feel, while the narrower layout still hints at the building’s earlier life as offices. Board games tucked under tables and small seating corners add to the friendly atmosphere, making it feel welcoming and easy to settle into.
A choice of 2 cask ales to choose from on the bar, alongside a range of other options. I went for Galvanise by Pig & Porter, a pale ale with bright citrus hop notes and a crisp, refreshing finish.
Micropub Adventures 