BOAT CUISINE
With links to our nautical past, present and future, this Isle of Sheppey micro pub is the pick of MBY forum member, Fred Trice. Phil Sampson hooks up with him for a virtual pint.
THE ADMIRAL’S ARM QUEENBOROUGH
For those not familiar with Queenborough, “It has a lot of history,” says MBY reader Fred Trice. “From being invaded by the Dutch – they soon gave it back again – to being visited by Hogarth and Pepys, the town has seen it all. Nelson, (who learnt much of his seamanship in the area), had a house on the high street. Visiting gentry considered the place a right dump…not much has changed…”
What Fred actually means by this tongue-in-cheek remark is that being so far off the beaten track, Queenborough has not suffered what he describes as the indignities of becoming upmarket and trendy, so the locals can still afford to live there and the town’s inherent character remains intact. All of this makes it a popular choice for boaters, like Princess 35 owner Fred, in the Swale and Medway areas, many of who make a beeline for the Admiral’s Arm after tying up on the town’s all tide landing.
The pub is one of those hidden gems for which Britain is famed. Housed in a modest, single storey clapperboard-faced building, blink and you’ll miss it. But for those who do spot it, a warm welcome and a menu of mainly locally sourced food awaits inside. There’s nothing fancy about the place according to Fred: “It’s just an old wooden building with old wooden floors; essentially a pie and pint kind of pub serving real and craft ales. It’s the sort of place you go when the weather’s too foul or wet to go boating. It’s very laid back, child and dog friendly and 99% of the customers will have something to do with the water.”
That connection to the sea runs deep; landlady Rachel Collier, who together with husband Chris operates the pub, is also a trustee of the local harbour and a member of the Sheerness lifeboat crew. At the time of writing, Rachel was just about to embark on training for the station’s new Shannon class lifeboat, and in one of those small world coincidences, the Admiral’s Arm is located right next door to Marine & Industrial Transmissions Limited where the inversion trials for the Shannon’s engines were conducted. Unsurprisingly, the pub holds regular fundraising events for the RNLI and is a popular venue among the volunteers.
In addition to pies and pints, the Admiral’s Arm is big on pizzas. Rachel and Chris also run Olivero’s Pizzeria out of the same premises and offer all the favourites to keep even the most discerning Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle happy. There’s a good selection of meat and seafood dishes too.
You don’t find too many places like the Admiral’s Arm these days, so if you’re in the area make sure you don’t pass it by. And in case you’re wondering, it is Arm, not Arms – something to do with Nelson, apparently.
VERDICT A great place to visit for an authentic micro pub experience and to mix with the local nautical community
MBY RATING ★★★★★
BASED ON ambience, 4.5 stars for food
COST £40 based on a two-course dinner for two with beer
TIMES Check website for current opening hours
CONTACT Tel: 01795 668598 www.admiralsarm.co.uk