The Market Inn, Sandwich

Traditional Shepherd Neame pub, located exactly as the name would suggest. Opened out inside to leave a generally L-shaped layout, although the corner of the bar counter acts as a partial sub-division and there is an alcove towards the back door. Master Brew, Whitstable Bay and the seasonal Go for Gold (£4.65) available from the active bank of three handpumps (with the other currently unused).

Official site of The Market Inn - www.marketinnsandwich.co.uk

Official site of The Market Inn - www.marketinnsandwich.co.uk

The Market Inn, not surprisingly given its name, faces out onto the main market square in the middle of Sandwich. But it’s L shaped internal configuration means that for the base of the L, as well as the main entrance on New Street, it has a smaller back door entrance on Delf Street behind. Traditional Oak beamed interior throughout the main carpeted bar area is to the left when you come in from the market square and the bar has two sets of three hand pumps on each side that were dispensing four from the Shep Neame stable in the shape of Whitstable Bay, Spitfire, Masterbrew and Late Red. This area is mainly for drinking and has the benefit of a bar billiards table tucked away by the back door out onto Delf Street. And then the rest of the pub, the long section of the L is a dining room with wooden floor throughout and a fine stone fireplace at the end. The menu looked like standard pub grub at a reasonable price level, but we didn’t eat here during our time in Sandwich. But we did try a drink here and after a few underwhelming experiences in Shep pubs in the other Cinque Port towns it was good to get a decent pint and it also scored as the only Shep house where I found the Late Red on. Due to there being no garden, this one does suffer from the nicotine bounces guarding the front entrance, especially as it has wall mounted butt bins here for that purpose, but I wouldn’t let that put you off this one.

Shepherd Neame pub on busy road in centre of Sandwich. Nice wooden bar, L-shaped room with a sofa in an alcove, games area at the rear and a practical red carpet throughout. One half of the building serves as a tea room cafe rather than pub. 6 real ales including Whitstable, served warm but otherwise well kept.