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Faversham to Sittingbourne: A Brilliant Evening of Pubs and Good Company
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.
Faversham and Sittingbourne both grew around old trade routes and industry, helping shape this part of Kent for centuries. Faversham has roots going back to Roman and Saxon times, later becoming an important market town, port and brewing centre, with Shepherd Neame brewing there since 1698. Sittingbourne developed along Watling Street, the old road between London and Dover, and became known for brickmaking, paper mills and barge building during the Industrial Revolution. Both towns still carry plenty of that history today, from old High Street buildings and creekside areas to former industrial sites that have found new life as pubs, shops and community spaces.
Faversham
Creekers Tap
The first of 3 visits was to Creekers Tap. Creeker’s Tap opened on Preston Street in late 2016, converted from a former glazing shop. It first traded as The Corner Tap, before being refurbished and renamed Creeker’s Tap during the Covid period. The new name links neatly to Faversham Creek, a historic waterway that helped shape the town’s trade and industry over many centuries. The pub is now part of Whitstable Brewery’s group of taprooms, giving the old shop unit a fresh use while keeping it connected to Kent’s beer scene. Its story is modern, but its name ties it warmly to Faversham’s older creekside heritage.
Inside feels darker and more characterful than a typical modern micropub, with black timber walls, patterned ceilings and warm lighting giving the room a cosy feel. Seating is spread through the compact space using benches, booths and smaller tables gathered around a central bar. Large front windows bring in daylight at the front, while deeper inside the pub has more of a tucked-away atmosphere. The décor leans heavily into fishing and creek life, with mounted fish, old rowing boats, nets and framed artwork covering the walls alongside brewery signs and beer memorabilia. Overall, it feels relaxed, distinctive and full of personality without losing its sociable micropub feel.
Drinks wise a single cask ale (the other was being changed), alongside a wide variety of craft keg choices and fridges full of bottles and cans. I went for Warm Shade by Floc, a hazy pale ale with juicy tropical fruit notes and a soft, smooth finish.
Furlongs Ale House
Next up in Faversham was to Furlongs Ale House. Furlongs Ale House opened on Preston Street on 18 December 2014, becoming Faversham’s first micropub. It was converted from a former fishmonger’s shop, giving a small retail unit a new life. The name came from research into the street’s past, when a nearby barber’s shop was found to have used the Furlong name. The pub follows the Kent micropub style, keeping things small, independent and centred on conversation. Its story is recent, but it fits neatly into Faversham’s long beer tradition, in a town already closely linked with brewing through Shepherd Neame.
Inside keeps the compact feel of a traditional micropub, with a narrow layout centred around a small wooden bar and closely placed tables that encourage conversation between groups. Dark wood panelling, framed pictures and old brewery touches give the room plenty of character without making it feel crowded. Hanging lamps and a large skylight help brighten the space, while the front seating booths create a slightly tucked-away feel near the entrance. Outside, there’s a long enclosed beer garden with wooden seating and bunting, giving a bit of extra room in warmer weather. Overall, it feels warm, friendly and comfortably well-used.
A great selection on the bar of 4 cask ales, 5 keg beers and a great choice of ciders. I went for The Wife of Bath’s Ale by The Canterbury Ales, a golden ale with soft malt sweetness and a light, refreshing finish.
The Bank
The last visit in Faversham was to The Bank run by Time & Tide Brewing. The Bank occupies the former Lloyds Bank building on Court Street, right in the middle of historic Faversham. For decades, local people came here to pay bills, cash cheques and queue beneath the building’s grand old banking frontage. Parts of the property date back to the 1700s, with later 19th-century alterations giving it the appearance it largely keeps today. After Lloyds closed the branch, the building stood empty for a time before being taken on by Time & Tide. The Bank opened in March 2026, giving one of Court Street’s best-known old buildings a fresh purpose while keeping its long connection to the town centre very much alive.
Inside mixes the feel of a modern bar with details that still hint at its former life as a bank. High ceilings, large old windows and dark green walls give the rooms a warm, slightly grand feel without becoming formal. Seating is spread through a series of connected spaces, with a mix of wooden tables, benches and taller spots by the windows looking out onto Court Street. Soft lighting, parquet flooring and vintage-style furniture help keep things relaxed and comfortable. Plants, mirrors and dividing screens break the space up nicely, making it feel cosy even with the building’s larger proportions. Overall, it feels calm, welcoming and thoughtfully restored.
On the bar a fantastic line up of craft keg beers from their own brewery alongside guests. Lots of different styles and strengths to choose from. I went for Smesh by Time & Tide Brewing, a hazy pale ale with juicy citrus and tropical fruit notes and a soft, smooth finish.
Sittingbourne
Yellow Stocks
Over to Sittingbourne to visit The Yellow Stocks. Yellow Stocks opened on Sittingbourne High Street on 15 September 2018, converting a former clothes shop into a micropub. Its name does not come from a flower, but from “yellow stocks”, a type of brick once made in the area. That gives the pub a nice link to Sittingbourne’s local industrial past, while the building itself reflects the High Street’s long retail history. It was described as the first micropub on the High Street, adding a newer chapter to the town’s pub scene. Small in scale, its story is modern but rooted in local identity.
Inside feels bright, quirky and full of personality. The compact room is centred around smaller round tables and window seating, with large front windows bringing plenty of light into the pub during the day. Walls are packed with humorous signs, framed pictures and beer mats, while strings of fairy lights and hanging hops across the ceiling give the space a warm, slightly eclectic feel. A piano and record player tucked into one corner add to the relaxed atmosphere. To the rear, a surprisingly spacious garden offers extra seating among plants, benches and handmade touches. Overall, it feels friendly, informal and comfortably lived-in.
A great welcome in here and was fantastic chatting and to regular Bill. On the bar 3 cask ales, 2 keg lines and a variety of ciders. I went for Golden Rule by Tonbridge Brewery, a golden ale with gentle citrus hop notes and a smooth, refreshing finish.
Micropub Adventures 