The Carpenters Arms, Canterbury

A large town pub on the outskirts of the City, very much oriented to its locals rather than the tourist trade. The building is interesting, and there is a garden at the rear with a smoking patio. The single L-shaped bar has a pool table, dartboard and 1950s-style jukebox. There is a large conservatory at the back which serves as a dining room. The staff were welcoming enough, but there was no real ale available, and the bottled offerings were not up to much. They run regular quiz nights, and there are TVs screening live sports. Fine if you just want to drink megakeg, but I don’t feel I want to join in here.

Reasonable-looking pub with a bit of brewer's Tudor on the façade, but stripped of any character inside. The layout still comprises two linked bars in an overall 'L'-shape; the larger one with sparse furniture, a pool table and side conservatory (with a small side patio beyond), the smaller with a mix of more comfortable seating around the periphery. Two disused handpumps (although the owners do do real in their other pubs, including the Bell & Crown in the 'Kings Mile') and not even any John Smith's, Tetley's or Worthington's, so made do with a quick Meantime London Pale (£2.00, half) before moving on.