The Cannon, Gillingham

Proper community pub, doing excellent 'last Friday before Christmas business' - pleasantly full, but just enough space to grab a stool at a shared table. The unspoilt twin-bar interior is worthy of note too, with all kinds of memorabilia (much of which having, as you would expect from the location, some kind of military connection). Also has a covered yard at the back and a beer garden. Landlord and Proper Job (£4.00) available from a couple of handpumps on one of the counters.

The Cannon is a two bar pub with a pool table and dartboard at the rear where there is access to a well-kept beer garden. The bar is stocked with standard draught products and there are two hand pumps that were drawing Bombardier and London Pride during my recent mid-week lunchtime visit. There are a couple of plasma screens and Sky Sports is shown, but these were off and some background music was playing. There are lots of pictures on the walls of the Cannon Golf Society and reading the Cannon weekly planner I discovered that there is a cards league on Mondays and two dart teams play out of this pub on Wednesdays. The air was a little blue at times, but the atmosphere was very friendly and I would have no hesitation in returning when next in the area.

An historic freehouse, pleasant to enter due to its welcoming atmosphere, located in a Victorian terrace in the old Brompton Garrison. Two bars, a pool table, tv showing sport and a gaming machine add noise but are not too obtrusive, while the beautifully kept garden with its barbecue stand makes a useful overspill area to stop the pub becoming too crowded. Lots of RE memorabilia around the walls and the presence of well-behaved squaddies among the clientele provide a reminder of the pub's military associations. Two ales on, I had the London Pride which was excellent. Well worth a visit for a pint and should definitely be included in a Brompton crawl.

A pleasant building here with a large garden but the Real Ale has been virtually undrinkable on my last few visits.