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.
Category Archives: Kent
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.
17/04/25-19/04/25 – Hither Green, Greenwich and Dartford
Brockley Brewery, which started in 2013 in South East London, is all about traditional cask ales and building community ties. In 2019, they moved to a bigger location in Hither Green and have since prioritised sustainability. Their taproom has a laid-back vibe, showcasing brewing equipment and serving both cask and keg beers. River Ale House, opened in 2017, turned an old lingerie shop into a trendy micropub with a sleek design and a great selection of cask ales. Growler Stop, which opened in 2021 in Dartford, transformed a former car rental spot into a chic taproom offering takeaway beer, featuring 21 keg lines. The Long Dog, Dartford’s first micropub since 2018, fosters a sense of community and hosts various events, all while showcasing a unique design that highlights cultural elements and craft beers.
04/04/25-05/04/25 – Belltinge, Tankerton and Isle of Sheppey
Today, I’m exploring some delightful micropubs in Kent, each with its own vibe and offerings. I kick things off at Copper Pottle, which has been around since 2015 and is loved for its welcoming décor and selection of local cask ales. Next up is The Tankerton Arms, opened in 2013, which strives to foster a sense of community in Tankerton with its vibrant décor and a cosy back area perfect for get-togethers. Then there’s The Heritage, the first micropub on the Isle of Sheppey since 2014, where the focus is on conversation rather than distractions, complete with some historical artifacts. Finally, I check out The Pilots’ Rest, a new spot featuring aviation-themed décor that celebrates local history while providing a friendly place for the community to gather.
05/04/25 – Broadstairs
Mind the Gap, a micropub that opened its doors in July 2016, boasts a distinctive railway theme adorned with memorabilia, creating a nostalgic vibe for its guests. The Royston, another micropub that debuted in June 2021, combines Victorian, Steampunk, and Art-Deco elements, providing a cosy atmosphere along with a varied drink menu. Gadds’ Brewery, which started in 2002, sparked renewed interest in real ale locally, overcoming initial doubts by prioritizing sustainability and quality. The Magnet, a vibrant micropub that launched in February 2019, offers a welcoming ambiance with its quirky décor. Lastly, The Four Candles, known as Britain’s smallest brewpub, opened in 2012 and emphasizes community and unique brewing experiences, serving homemade ales straight from the cellar.
Micropub Adventures 