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The Will Adams, Gillingham
Gillingham
ME7 5EG
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
The Chairman left this review about The Will Adams
Second visit in 12 months, and my feelings haven't changed. This pub is a shadow of what it used to be, when it as a renowned real ale pub. Now only seems to have two beers on offer and both were from Oakham, one of which didn't survive my order for a half so it was just the one! Oakham Citra was good, but I couldn't help getting the feeling that I was intruding on a private event. Train was delayed so back round the corner to the Past & Present.
On 9th August 2026
- rating: 6
[User has posted 119 recommendations about 114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Will Adams
Enter to a fairly basic place with a feeling of gentle decay, the carpet is worn to the quick in places. As noted below, there’s what initially feels like a Wild West saloon look but suspect that it’s actually more supposed to be the interior of an old ship in keeping with the Will Adams theme and it is comedically child-like in execution. Of interest is the seashell bar back. The darts and pool room off right has a very nice seafaring mural, depicting the man himself. GBG listed with two on over five pumps both from Oakham and my Soundcheck was par (NBSS 3) served-up by a friendly guv'nor with a benign tremor. I was told that he was down to two cask in the summer now as, in the warmer weather and outside the football season, it simply doesn’t shift in sufficient volume – so fair enough. Apple-grapplers are maybe better-served served by the cider and perry selection. Interesting locals including one who showed me his Mexico 86 pics, having followed England out there in the World Cup back in the day (I would have been 7!). Fair pub and in the context of Gillingham it’s a must-visit. But Gillingham itself is a must-not-visit kind of place to start with.
On 28th August 2024
- rating: 7
[User has posted 6273 recommendations about 6251 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Will Adams
Finally managed to visit on at least the fourth attempt, partly caused by its limited opening hours but mostly due to my inadequate research (not that it has any real online presence either). Anyway, it was good to visit this alehouse and talk to its long-term landlord (31 years and still going). Traditional, basic, two-room room layout with the bar in the front part and the pool table further back. Although there were only three of the five handpumps in us, the Broadside plus the single-hop Nectaron (£4.50) and Citra from Oakham provided some choice.
On 12th May 2024
- rating: 7
[User has posted 9212 recommendations about 9212 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about The Will Adams
Dating from around 1874 and originally called The Anglo Saxon, this pub is a small corner bar with a long-standing reputation for good beer. It was renamed in the 1990s after the famous explorer, ostensibly to disassociate it from a previous troubled reputation, but local rumour is that it was more likely done through political correctness. The current owner, Pete, has been there for around 19 years so wasn't involved in this decision. There are some quirky paintings, wooden floors and a calm atmosphere. The clientele comprises a few locals and some CAMRA types. There were only 2 ales on this time, so I had a pint of each - Everards and Dark Star were both in excellent condition. A good place to spend an evening's libation and definitely the best pub in Gillingham Town centre.
On 19th May 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3827 recommendations about 3785 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about The Will Adams
This is an interesting and friendly back street pub, easily reached by a short detour from the High Street. The entrance takes you into a narrow room with the bar running along the left hand side and some low stools and tables positioned in the narrow, carpeted gap opposite. There is a small, wider section at the end of the bar counter, where a couple more tables have been positioned, one of which is under a dartboard. I noticed on entering some fine etched glass windows but these were obscured by large, heavy curtains on my recent evening visit. The walls are half panelled, with the top half painted to resemble what I took to be a cartoon, Wild West saloon look - although it appears that the desired effect might have been to resemble the interior of an old ship, in keeping with the Will Adams theme. This is expanded upon at the rear of the pub, where an open area containing a pool table and dartboard, has been painted with a mural depicting the explorer's adventures. A small TV above the side door was showing local news and music played quietly in fits and starts throughout my stay.
There were three ales on when I dropped in - St Austell Tribute, Wolf Battle of Britain and Greene King London Glory. Three boxes of cider from Weston's were propped up on the counter and I spotted a keg version of Hop Back Summer Lightning amongst the usual tap offerings. I tried the Tribute and Battle of Britain and found them both to be well kept. A big stack of CAMRA magazines from all over the country was piled up at one end of the bar and the pub is currently listed in their Good Beer Guide. I was served by a cheery barman who was wearing a Gillingham football shirt, in anticipation of their cup fixture later that evening.
I thought this was a pretty decent pub, if perhaps a bit tired looking, and having enjoyed an extended stay in here I would certainly make a return visit the next time I'm in town.
On 21st December 2011
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3387 recommendations about 3387 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Strongers . left this review about The Will Adams
The Will Adams is a small back street boozer with a bar that supports five hand pumps. Two of these were unused during my Monday night visit, but Nethergate IPA, Pin Up Beers Red Head and Tirrel Ales Pennine Pilsner were available alongside some standard draught. This pub certainly has the most adventurous ale options in Gillingham Town. Star Trek was on the TV and the woman behind the bar was engrossed in it, but I was served quickly and she was very polite. There is a regular dartboard by the entrance and at the rear there was a practice board with only doubles and the bullseye on it.
This pub is a little quirky with the ship theme painted throughout and I liked it in a theme park kind of way. Would I return? Yes, this is one of the better pubs of the area.
On 11th November 2011
- rating: 7
[User has posted 6811 recommendations about 6772 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rich Gibbs left this review about The Will Adams
Great beer in a friendly environment - if all pubs were like this then we wouldn't see so many closing!
On 28th March 2011
- rating: 9
[User has posted 35 recommendations about 35 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Simon Ellwood left this review about The Will Adams
The Will Adams is my local and has first rate Ale with typically three guest ales on and real ciders available too. The pub is a small back street boozer but very welcoming. If you like good beer and conversation this is the place for you. The decor and fittings could do with an update but do not let this put you off. Open evenings and lunch times at the weekends only.
On 28th February 2011
- rating: 8
[User has posted 4 recommendations about 4 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alex Short left this review about The Will Adams
Formerly The Anglo Saxon – as is shown etched on the window by the Saloon Bar entrance – The Will Adams is a Gillingham hostelry with a reputation for serving well-conditioned ales in a secure and friendly environment. Being a local resident and someone always eager to try new haunts, I looked forward to my most recent of evening visits. The first signs are not entirely positive, with a not-too-inviting, façade and within, the interior is tired, dated, run-down and in serious need of sprucing up. The walls are painted to depict a kind of old wooden house, but the effect unfortunately comes off as rather amateurish and almost child-like. It all seems rather tacky. To the right of the bar area is a large mural depicting the seafaring adventures of the pubs namesake. Further on is a darts board – pleasingly in use – and a small mounted television – showing the football during my stay. Although not busy, the clientele within seemed a well behaved friendly group and evidently enjoyed engaging in banter with the Chris Moyle’s look-a-like landlord. Five hand-pumps are on display at the bar, though only two were in use: Hop Backs Summer Lightning and Meantime London Pale Ale. The former was served in very good condition and shows that the CAMRA recognition is deserving – local pub-of-the-year 2006. It was also pleasing to note copies of the local branches magazine by the bar – Medway Beer Belly. To conclude: despite the praise received on the beer front, this reviewer personally found the surroundings a little too uncomfortable and cold, for here to ever become a regular stop-off. If they could make the interior more homely and address the slightly hollow atmosphere, then The Will Adams could justifiably be considered a pub of genuine merit.
On 2nd June 2010
- rating: 7
[User has posted 6 recommendations about 6 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
train man left this review about The Will Adams
Castle Rock Hemlock, Sharps IPA, Summer Lightning; tried first two & both in excellent condition. Friendly welcome from big Gills-shirted guvnor who asked if we were down for the game (nope, northern accent but not Accrington). Narrowish pub with bar, barstools, & table seating as you enter, dartboard at far end, pool table between. A portrait of the eponymous Will Adams hangs behind the bar and a mural depicting his adventurer/seafaring exploits decorates the centre wall (partly hidden by St George flag). Otherwise the décor is made of dodgy plastic panels in the style of mock wild-west wood fencing(?), but don’t let that put you off, this is a proper friendly drinking venue. Two Westons ciders were available in boxes on the bar, food was hot-dogs, burgers, chilli; eg cheeseburger & chips £3. (review dated Aug08)
On 19th February 2010
- rating: 7
[User has posted 413 recommendations about 412 pubs]