Poachers Pocket, Chatham

Hungry Horse pub deep in the "is it Rochester, is it Chatham" suburbia. Usual anonymous, semi-modern furniture and decor in the front bar (with a pool table) and rear dining areas. The L-shaped counter serves both parts, and there are four handpumps on each counter. However, not unexpectedly, just Greene King IPA (£2.90) and Abbot actually available, although a couple of reversed Landlord clips were also visible.

Originally called The Hook and Hatchet, there has been a pub on this site since around 1670 when it was used by woodsmen who cut oaks for the shipbuilding business in Chatham Dockyard. The original structure burned down in the early 20th Century and was rebuilt around 1920. It became the Poacher's Pocket in 1973 by which time Walderslade has engulfed it. Another interesting historical fact is that the field opposite is the sight of a WWII POW camp. It's now a single large bar, the former skittles alley having been opened out and now full of tables for diners. It is mainly geared up for local families, having games machines, a pool table and laminated menus describing bland meals. There is a large car park. The staff were OK, but the locals were largely insufferable. There was a dartboard on the wall, but it was unusable as they had put more tables in front of it. TV screen showed Sky Sports, and there was no real ale. Really not my kind of pub, but OK if you live nearby and don't like real ale or a restful atmosphere, and handy for a lemonade of you've just cycled or walked up the hill to get here.