Ocean Inn, Romney Marsh

Being close to the sandy beach beyond the sea wall, this place can get very busy in the summer. However, in late February, it was all quite sedate and operating as a regular village pub and all quite traditional in the main bar. Other areas can open when busier, and there is also a beer garden by the car park. I was slightly surprised to see a Cask Marque sign by the main door, but my pint of Proper Job (£4.15) was in good shape, and Courage Best was available from the other handpump.

This pub seems to be unchanged since the previous reviewer's visit - except that they now sell real ale, with both Courage Best and Director's on. We sat in the Saloon Bar, which is around at the back of the pub on the right. As far as I could see nothing in this bar was original, with false black batons on the ceiling, a fake gas fire (which was on when we visited on a cold January evening), and in fact it looks like a modern addition to the pub. But it was comfortable enough, with a carpeted floor, normal tables and chairs (probably the dining room mentioned by WhatPub), some Dr Syn prints on the walls, and a refrigerated food container displaying all kinds of tempting desserts. There's a fairly large garden area at the rear of the pub. I poked my head into the Public Bar before we left, and it was certainly the more traditional and authentic, as well as larger, part of the pub. I saw that there were a group of apparent locals (not many tourists come here in January) playing pool. I reckon this pub makes its money during the tourist season, when I'm told that it gets jam packed with people. Overall I thought it was an average pub - OK for a pint or two if you're OK with Courage beers. The reintroduction of real ale is a massive plus point though.