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.
Tag Archives: beer
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.
09/05/26 – Halifax
I headed over to Halifax for a full day exploring some of the town’s brilliant pubs and bars, each with its own bit of history and character. From the grand setting of The Piece Hall at Hop Yard to the cosy corners of places like Three Pigeons and Ring O’ Bells, every stop felt welcoming in its own way. I enjoyed chatting with staff and other drinkers along the way, with plenty of great cask ales and craft beers to choose from throughout the day. Halifax really impressed me with how its historic buildings and modern beer scene sit so comfortably side by side, making it a fantastic place to spend time wandering between pubs.
02/05/26 – Fylde Coast Beer & Buses – Kirkham and Freckleton
I had a fantastic evening out with The Fylde Tramway Society, enjoying a lovely run around Kirkham and Freckleton. It was one of those trips where everything just felt easy and enjoyable, with plenty of good company along the way. The bus, kindly provided by Best Bus In Town, was spot on for the trip and made the journey all the more pleasant. Big thanks to Gary and Bradley as well for looking after us on board – they really helped make it such a warm and relaxed evening.
25/04/26 – Lancashire Beer and Buses
I had a fantastic day out on the Lancashire Beer and Buses trip, setting off on the feeder bus from Preston and calling at a great mix of pubs along the way. The sunshine made it even better, and the whole day had a lovely, easygoing feel. I spent it with Jenny and Kenny from Real Ale Finder, along with Mark, Paul, Jackie, Oliver and Alistair, and it was great catching up with Tony, Deb, Ian and Dawn at The Vestry. Along the route we visited a blend of historic inns and micropubs, each with its own character, friendly atmosphere and a good range of cask ales, making it a thoroughly enjoyable day exploring Lancashire.
24/04/26 – Clitheroe
I spent the day in Clitheroe, starting at The New Inn, a historic pub full of character, before heading to The Emporium, a converted chapel with a relaxed, multi-level layout. At Holmes Mill, the vast Beer Hall blended industrial heritage with a huge beer selection. The Horseshoe Inn felt like a proper local, while The Beer Shack offered a compact micropub experience. The Ale House stood out for its lively feel and friendly chat, and I finished at The Brown Cow, a traditional spot that rounded off a varied and memorable visit.
18/04/26 – Durham
I spent a day exploring Durham, starting at The Waiting Room on the station platform, then moving between a mix of historic pubs and newer micropubs across the city. Each place had its own character, from centuries-old buildings like Ye Old Elm Tree and The Dun Cow to more recent additions like The Holy GrAle and Fram Ferment. Along the way, I enjoyed a range of well-kept ales and friendly welcomes. Whether tucked into quiet corners, lively bars or hidden spots by the river, every stop offered something different, making it a varied and enjoyable crawl through Durham’s rich pub scene.
Micropub Adventures 