retiredmartin

Finishing Kent always feels like a BIG achievement, something about all that coastline, all those different train lines, all those wrong micro opening times.

And picking the first five in Kent has been the toughest pick so far. I’ve deliberately left out the Nelson Arms in Tonbridge, as that had enough publicity of late but is a must.

But I’ve also left out the Berry, the Fuggles places, the Little Gem, the Thomas Tallis, the Lord Raglan etc etc etc. Just to get a bit of variety of location and style.

Dunton Green (Sevenoaks) – Miners Arms

My first pick is just there to show I don’t really dislike Sevenoaks, though the Miners is more reminiscent of a Coalville local than the dining pubs of suburbia.

Such a cheery place, such an unexpected beer range (gorgeous Bass), so many questions about that chopper.

Pub 2 was equally cheery, though perhaps rather better known;

Snargate – Red Lion (aka Doris’s)

Getting to “Doris’s” is half the fun, as Simon discovered on the walk from Appledore station.

We sadly lost Doris in 2016 but the Red Lion is still owned by the family, though it seems to be a village asset in the traditional sense.

That famous marble bar counter is still there, but if anything the Red Lion is even more basic and unspoilt than I remember, with folk all perched on benches round the walls. A couple of kindly Old Boys moved up to allow Mrs RM and I to take the best seat in the house.

Yes, you admire my shorts, don’t you ?

I could have picked half a dozen in Ramsgate alone, including the world’s most gigantic Spoons, but I’ve chosen the one where I spent a wondrous evening with US Nick and Crystal just before Covid.

Ramsgate – Artillery Arms

A riotous but somehow classy drinkers pubs where I had one of those occasional “Wow” moments.

Arthur Brown’s Fire gave way to a Mozart concerto (I think Crystal identified that one) and “We Have All The Time In the World” took on special meaning as Nick talked through life, love and loathing in Vegas.

It was what pubs are there for. I wish it had ended there after five pints, but it never does, does it ?

I haven’t been in the next one for 20 years, I reckon. Time to rectify that.

Brenchley – Halfway House

Perhaps the definitive rural Kent free house, the ancient beams and hops and beer from the barrel made quite an impression on my sole visit, presumably before the invention of cameras.

In fact, I’m rather surprised to read Paul Bailey’s excellent post here and discover the pub only dates back to a remodelling in 2003.

Margate – The Fez

The Fez definitely isn’t an ancient free house, but it is one of the first micro pubs to burst out of the “high tables round bare walls with middle-aged blokes checking into Untappd model”.

The Fez is a destination pub in the same way as the Olde Vic, the Yew Tree or the Sheppey. As Newbury Tim described it last year, this is a treasure trove of kitsch and memorabilia.

Gorgeous beer, mixed crowd, Hall & Oates your soundtrack.

And only 5 minutes from the sea and the Turner. A must.

Over to you. Find me something in Gillingham.