The Three Mariners, Faversham

We came with friends, who had been complimentary, but it appears management has changed. Still sort of gastro-the grub wasn't bad, but of the cask beers listed, only one-Master Brew-was available, and that was on the tired side of comatose. One of Shep's classic old pubs,but please let someone with soul look after it.Rudderless.

There is one Michelin Starred pub on the first half of the Saxon Shore Way and I thought this was it. Easy to see why - as it is very gastro. They had some marvelous charcuterie :-) Beer wise - this was our first taste of Shepherds Neame on the trip. The landlord had just changed the Whitstabe Bay Pale Ale and it was fine look. No fault of the pub, but maybe the only more tasteless pint I can remember is Arkells. Flavourless. Smart interior and a scattering of walking books to peruse.

An attractive looking clearly old place sitting on a sloping corner site just up from Oare Creek. Gastro grey outside and inside, food seems to be the main raison d'etre and at a price too. The rib eye steak with the trimmings is £24.95. A complicated interior, all knocked through but with various small side areas off the main bar, beamed ceilings, vaulted in one area. A corner houses a large film makers style arc-light. As these food-centred places tend to, there is a long wine list on a wall, many at ambitious looking prices. The log fire was lit, not essential but welcoming and the barmaid was welcoming too, asking if I had been on a walk as I had indeed. Then she advised me where I could sit....hmmm, I like to decide that for myself thanks. Beers were Masterbrew and Whitstable Bay. I sank a quick half of WB, used the toilets and moved on.....without sitting at my designated seat.

Originally a pub, now a pub and restaurant, it sits at the top of a hill and has an impressive terraced garden at the front. The building is quirky, labyrinthine and overheated – it felt like a sauna in an old people's home. The food was nothing special – a nod given to gastro, but essentially smartened-up pub grub. There was an extensive wine list, but this too didn't really work – the really good wines were drastically over-priced, while the rest was just junk (also overpriced). Four handpumps on the bar, we had Whitstable Bay which was quite drinkable. I'm not sure I'd make a special effort to come back, and it's a bit too far out to be a useful addition to a town crawl, but it's probably OK for a beer if you're passing.