The Mariner, Folkestone

The less-obvious of the two pubs in a prime position on The Stade, so a bit more of a 'local' than The Ship. The reversed L-shaped interior has a traditional look, although the overall appearance is quite gloomy due to the dark-red upholstery, carpet and paintwork. I found four of the six handpumps in use, offering Doom Bar, Landlord, Harvey's (£4.60) and Old Rosie cider. NB - You'll need to get a plastic 'glass' if you want to sit outside on one of the front benches overlooking the harbour.

Formerly The Jubilee and The Carpenters Arms, this is a traditional busy seaside pub consisting of a single large bar on the ground floor of an impressive 3 storey building. There are tv screens and a pool table in the single large carpeted bar. Three ales on, I had a Caledonian Flying Scotsman which I found to be in perfect condition. There were seats outside at the front with views of the Harbour, but you could only take a plastic (as opposed to a glass) if you wanted to sit ouside. They advertise regular pub quiz nights. A decent boozer, as much a part of the seaside experience as fish and chips and buckets and spades, all of which were also present.

Six picnic tables with views of the harbour line the frontage of the Mariner. The interior is L shaped and at the rear of the pub are a pool table and a large plasma screen that was airing muted Sky Sports News. I wasn’t surprised to not see any Sky Sports advertisements. There was some background music playing from the likes of Frank Sinatra. I found the décor to be very comfortable and the nautical theme running throughout isn’t in your face or tacky. Alongside the some standard draught taps are three hand pumps that were drawing Sharp’s Doom bar, Caledonian’s Flying Scotsman and Robinson’s Uncle Sams. I thought that the service was very friendly and I would have no problem returning.