Crown & Anchor, Faversham

This is very much an old school Shepherd Neame local boozer. I have to admit the previous review seemed odd so I can only assume it's been given a recent refurbishment. It all seemed very clean and modern inside (possibly overly so) with the wide bar area at the front and a pool room with a jukebox at the rear left. The furnishings all looked fairly new. I didn't spot another room but that doesn't mean there isn't one! It was quiet on my early Thursday afternoon visit, in fact it was completely empty after I left at around 13:15. Although the bar has four hand pumps one was blank and two had turned Master Brew and Spitfire clips. This meant just Master Brew was on (£3.20) which was in good condition although it failed to excite the taste buds. I hadn't planned to visit this one but the other pubs visited in Faversham were so disappointing I was back at the station early and with no expectations of it at all this one seemed reasonably OK.

A Shepherd and Neame local near the station, but in a quiet residential area, this Victorian terraced building is relatively unspoilt and consists of a long bar at the front with two smaller rooms behind. There are interesting stained-glass windows at the front, though sadly one has been replaced with an air extractor. One of the back rooms has a pool table, the other a dartboard. The décor is dated and shabby, consisting mainly of painted-over textured wallpaper and dirty exposed brickwork, while the carpets are just scruffy and a chimney breast has been opened out to heat the front bar and the pool room. There is a wonderful local feel to the place, and the landlord is most welcoming. Officially, they don’t do food on a Saturday, but they will make you something ad hoc if you ask nicely. There is no WiFi. The only ale on draft was Masterbrew, which was in excellent condition. I would happily weigh in here for a pint or two as the beer is so good, and I would definitely include in a crawl.