Brewers Fayre Duke of York, Dover

New-build Brewers Fayre beside a Premier Inn, so you will know exactly what to expect from the various seating / dining areas in front, and at each end, of the central servery. On the plus side, it does do real ale, albeit just Doom Bar from one of a pair of bespoke handpumps (£4.05).

Official site of Brewers Fayre Duke of York - www.brewersfayre.co.uk

Official site of Brewers Fayre Duke of York - www.brewersfayre.co.uk

There are records of a pub of this name here since the 1830s, but the current building is a modern McPub type structure. The capacity of these places to surprise never falters: expecting a typically bland Brewers Fare experience I was actually treated to staff who were pleasant and professional, a decent bar meal and reasonable beer. The location isn't great - right next to the A2 and sharing the site with a Premier Inn and a Shell garage. The two main areas - a dining area at the front and the bar to the rear - were both clean and tidy and the families who had stopped in for a pre- or post-Channel crossing meal were unusually well behaved. There was only one ale on, 6X, which was a little too cold but otherwise fine. Worth stopping for a quick pint or a bite to eat, but not somewhere to spend an evening.