Castle Inn, Sheerness

Basic boozer comprising a U-shaped layout with a rear pool room joining the two branches. All clean and tidy, and a reasonable atmosphere. However, no real ale, so just a quick Boddington's (£1.80, half) in preference to the John Smith's.

A good, traditional, lively village pub largely used by locals. The Georgian building has been knocked through to form a single large, U-shaped bar most of which is carpeted. It has retained its open fireplaces. TV screens showing different sporting events competed with the jukebox to see which was loudest. There is a pool table, gaming machines, a dartboard and a friendly local spirit. There is plenty of seating, and the pub is dog-friendly. The thing that let it down for me was a lack of any real ale on draft, although there was Nun's Delight in bottles, served much too cold. Much as I liked this pub, the lack of ale means I shall not rush back.