The Bell & Crown, Canterbury

This is a compact, L-shaped pub tucked away down one of the pleasant lanes behind the cathedral. The pub has a traditionally styled interior, bare boarded throughout, with pews and chairs arranged across a shallow but broad front area that extends a little to the right beyond the end of the bar. Meanwhile, low stools serve a series of small tables down the left-hand side of the pub, which extends a short way to the rear of the building. The servery has a rather basic curved tongue and groove counter with a simple bar back and blackboard lined canopy. There are plenty of dark wood timbers criss-crossing whitewashed walls, to give the place a real olde world feel, whilst the décor is a mix of old black and white photos of local scenes, and a few contemporary bits of art – a decent blending of old and new that didn’t feel particularly jarring. On the bar, handpulls were dispensing Wantsum Coronation Session, Canterbury Ales The Friars and Long Man Best Bitter. A friendly barman offered a warm welcome and poured me a great pint of the Best Bitter, which slipped down nicely, and I was a little loathe to leave after just the one pint, as I would’ve liked to soak up the atmosphere a bit more and try some of their other ales. I thought this was quite a modest little boozer that seems to be doing a lot of the basics very well. The limited but interesting ale selection from relatively local breweries seemed to help ensure a good quality pint and the service was bright and efficient whilst the pub maintained a warm, welcoming ambiance which encouraged a longer stay. One of the better pubs I visited on a recent trip to Canterbury and one I’d be more than happy to revisit the next time I’m in town. Date of visit – 30th April 2023

A friendly, traditional corner pub as described below.  There was a great atmosphere when we visited, it was welcoming and friendly.  There was an open fire to take the edge of the evening chill, the music was most agreeable and the chat was a bit more grown-up than you find in some other local pubs.  Ales on were Canterbury Ales’s Miller’s, Long Man Best Bitter, Old Dairy Uber Brew and Tonbridge Blonde Ambition, plus Camden Pale Ale on keg.  It’s obviously improved since some of the earlier reviews, and say it’s now a definite for inclusion in a city crawl. 

Former Truman corner pub, with some interesting historic features retained on both facades. However, the 'L'-shaped interior has been redone in a rustic light-wood alehouse style (which is OK in its own right, but any original character has been lost). Four Kentish real ales on handpump: Wife of Bath from Canterbury Ales, Fife & Drum and from Musket, a tasty Gadds No 5 and Hopdaemon Incubus.

Traditional tile hung street corner pub on the pedestrianised Palace Street,outside the walls of the Cathedral Precints. A few tables and chairs outside for that continental vibe:inside, an L-shaped room,uncluttered. A celebrated "Fremlin's" window commemorates a much loved former brewery, and affords a fine view of the western towers of the Cathedral. The Bell and Crown is noted for its support of Kent microbreweries:on my brief visit on a Saturday lunchtime in June I tried a Montgomery IPA from Wantsum of Hersden.Not really to my taste,unfortunately, although I understand that generally the beer here is consistently good. A lively pub,popular with drinkers and tourists.