TOP 100 PUBS – THE FOUNTAIN, WHITSTABLE

December 2025. Whitstable.

Plenty of pubs in Whitstable, but then I’m surprised it has a population of 32,196; although a lot of those are in the suburbs away from the pubs (and the artisanal muesli boutiques).

20 minutes from our campervan stop along the coast brings you to the Savoy, possibly not that Savoy,

and some charming houses off the main shopping street where we once spotted Saint Bob Geldof.

I could only name you a couple of pubs in Whitstable, one Germanic and one on the beach. Oh, and a micro. There must be a micro in North Kent.

But here’s a quiet back street with a nice looking Sheps pub,

and the new-to-GBG Fountain, seating spilling into pedestrianised Bexley Street.

It looks very back street St Leonards, the sort of pub you’re amazed you don’t know already,

quirky and welcoming.

My notes say “You parked like a tw*t“, which could be a sign behind the bar, the WiFi password, or the track Shazam couldn’t recognise.

But actually it’s a very good reggae soundtrack, “Police & Thieves”, Damian Marley and all.

The Wife of Bath is drinking well (3.5),

but it’s the relaxed feel sitting on a bench seat under the plants that wins the Fountain its coveted place in my Top 100 (No. 657).

That, and the “We Prefer Cash” sign.

*actually the password is “getoutofmypub69”

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Published by retiredmartin

Retired NHS, doing long walks around UK and the world to record the great bits. Focused on Good Beer Guide pubs and live music.

20 thoughts on “TOP 100 PUBS – THE FOUNTAIN, WHITSTABLE”

  1. The Fountain was closed down the last time that I was in Whitstable. I’m sorry to see that the Black Dog has since closed and is now a shop. Works both ways I suppose.

    Mrs. E and I stayed at the Continental in summer 2017. In its bar I had served to me one of the most comically bad pints of cloudy vinegar that I’ve ever seen. Actually, if it was cloudy vinegar that you wanted, then it would have been rather good…

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      1. I did wonder if the people now running the Fountain used to have the gothic Black Dog. It was the spooky, hobgoblin, stained glass effect paintings that raised the question?

        Did they also do haircuts?

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  2. It’s been a while since I last visited Whitstable, and looking at the CAMRA website there’s a good selection of pubs. If you’re a fan of late Victorian pubs, then the Duke of Cumberland is worth a visit, although spoiler alert, it’s a Shepherd Neame house. The Ship Centurion used to be a CAMRA favourite, although I don’t know if it still is.

    The Old Neptune and Pearson’s Arms, are also worth visiting, especially the latter, if you like oysters (which I don’t).

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  3. “although a lot of those are in the suburbs away from the pubs (and the artisanal muesli boutiques).”

    It’s been a long day; don’t get me started on any sort of boutiques.**

    ** – Bought a new laptop during ‘Black Friday’. I’ll be lucky if I have everything reinstalled or ported over before we leave for Edmonton on Dec 23rd. 🤔😏

    “20 minutes from our campervan stop along the coast brings you to the Savoy, possibly not that Savoy,”

    I can confidently say that is NOT that Savoy.

    “and some charming houses off the main shopping street where we once spotted Saint Bob Geldof.”

    Spotted as in hit him with paint balls?

    “There must be a micro in North Kent.”

    (slow golf clap)

    “But here’s a quiet back street with a nice looking Sheps pub”

    I looked up ‘Sheps’ online and, blimey! The New Inn is first on their list out of 14 in Whitstable, let alone Herne Bay, Faversham, Canterbury and other fiddly bits.

    “and the new-to-GBG Fountain, seating spilling into pedestrianised Bexley Street.”

    Hopefully there’s bollards up to ensure it stays pedestrian.

    “quirky and welcoming.”

    (looks down)
    No kidding! And I like the ‘take’ on the ‘Canterbury Ales’ pump.

    “My notes say “You parked like a tw*t“, which could be a sign behind the bar, the WiFi password, or the track Shazam couldn’t recognise.”

    (VERY slow golf clap)

    “The Wife of Bath is drinking well (3.5),”

    I… don’t know how to cogitate that.

    “but it’s the relaxed feel sitting on a bench seat under the plants that wins the Fountain its coveted place in my Top 100 (No. 657).”

    Take THAT Shepherd Neame!
    (also, #657 out of 100?) 😉

    Cheers

    PS – for what it’s worth, thank goodness you slow down on weekends
    (I do weekly chats on Saturdays with my sister (in Ontario, 3 hour time difference) and my brother (in France, 9 hour time difference); and having to reload a brand new laptop has left me bereft of my casual demeanor) **

    ** – I’m doing a video chat with my brother in 5 hours, and he has questions about his Canadian taxes that… are his OWN FAULT (but he needs my help)

    🍻😏

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    1. I don’t intentionally slow down on weekends ! It’s just my Dad’s house I’m trying to sell has no internet !

      You do know how the Top 100 works, don’t you 😉 Ask Dave.

      I also got a new laptop for Black Friday (is that like Christmas?).

      Cheers

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      1. Ouch on the ‘no internet’ at your Dad’s house. I had that at my Mom’s house. For what it’s worth, you do know you can turn your phone into a hotspot and use your data plan from your cell phone to have your laptop gain access to the Internet? It should be where the settings for Bluetooth and WiFi are. Of course, that depends on how much data you have.

        It seems I am remiss in knowing how the Top 100 works. I’ll have to remedy that.

        As for Black Friday, it’s not like Christmas per se. My darling wife have been together long enough that we don’t need a special occasion before giving and receiving gifts. Besides, my wife insisted my Christmas present from her this year would be a recliner for my pub, which we already purchased on sale and I’ve been allowed to use it right away rather than wait for Christmas day.

        Cheers

        PS – Saw at the top about Peter. I won’t comment there tonight but will think about something to write on that post tomorrow. 😥

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      2. Thanks Russ.

        I do use the hotspot but it’s inconsistent and not great for uploading photos. More to the point, I don’t like living in a bare house !

        The rules on the Top 100 are very, VERY strict. But also nonexistent.

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      3. “The rules on the Top 100 are very, VERY strict. But also nonexistent.”

        Totally get the Hotspot thing and the emptiness of the house. Did that with me Mum’s place, but thankfully there was a good neighbour across the street who came by for a beer (or three!) in the front porch every night, to help me unwind.

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  4. I’m realising that I should have found the time and made the effort to visit the coast thereabouts, not only Rye, Ramsgate, Margate and Whitstable but also Essex for Clacton.

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      1. Well, I think that you’ve far more chance of seeing St Bob in Whitstable than you have the Reverend Nigel in Clacton…

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