The Royal Naval Reserve, Whitstable

It sounds more like a forces club than a pub but a pub it certainly is. The name is derived from the Navy's reserve forces, in particular the Sea Cadet Corps who first formed in Whitstable in the 1850's and were incorporated into the Royal Navy in 1910. Situated in the middle of high street, the pub is popular with shoppers and tourists alike and can get very busy. The interior is quite dim and intimate with low ceilings and plenty of brasses, collectables, cigarette cards, old prints and photos, mainly as one would expect, of a nautical theme. The layout of the pub makes the bar a bit awkward to get to when busy but the Shepherd Neame range of beers are of a good quality and they also have mild on tap, a rarity in SN pubs. To the rear, beyond the outside toilet, is a cosy beer garden set among the evergreens where you can usually blag a table even on the busiest days. The upstairs seafood restaurant has a very good reputation although I have not personally tried it. An essential stop for anyone visiting the many pubs in the area and one day I will definitely try the restaurant.