Kentish Express Ashford & District - What's On
THIS WEEK’S FOOD & DRINK NEWS
Nine of the county’s finest watering holes have just been named Pub of the Year in their respective areas by the Campaign for Real Ale.
CAMRA members spent many hours visiting pubs in their local patch before voting for their favourites.
In Ashford, Folkestone and Romney Marsh, the Dog House Microbar snatched first place.
Landlord Duncan Randall said: “We are truly grateful for the recognition and support from our customers and the CAMRA community. Cheers to many more years of great beer and good times.” For Canterbury, Whitstable and Herne Bay the Thomas Becket came out on top. This 18th-century inn is just two minutes from the city’s cathedral.
The Deal, Dover and Sandwich category was trumped by the Berry in Walmer. This traditional boozer specialises in serving quality real ale, bosses say. It is the pub’s third year running in the top spot, and the 12th time overall.
In Gravesend and Darent Valley, the Compass Alehouse in Gravesend town centre beat the rest after having regularly appeared in the rankings – this is its second time winning.
For the Maidstone and Mid Kent section, the winner was Larkins Alehouse -
Cranbrook’s first micropub.
In Medway, the Coopers Arms in Rochester came out on top. The pub dates back to the 1500s and prides itself on “many carefully nurtured cask ales” and a warm, friendly atmosphere.
The Swale winner was the Three Tuns in Lower Halstow and in Thanet, the Royston, Broadstairs was named Pub of the Year for the second time. Another micro venue, it serves local and national cask ales.
The West Kent winner was the everpopular Nelson Arms in Tonbridge. This pub was a runner-up for the national Pub of the Year award in 2023.