The Medway Inn, Rochester

Quite a large corner pub at the south end of the settlement, and thus closest to the major new Peters Village development. The refurbished L-shaped bar has a semi-traditional look, albeit with an Irish theme to some of the decoration. The solitary handpump didn't appear to be in use initially, but it turned out to be operational, and I got a reasonable pint of Doom Bar (£3.95) in the end.

A Shepherd and Neame-owned village pub. A single large L-shaped bar has tables laid for diners at one end and a pool table at the other. There is a projector with a large screen at the apex and a gaming machine. The car park at the back is a good size, there is a smoking shelter to the side by the main entrance and the garden boasts a children's play area. The standard pub range of bar snacks is on offer at reasonable prices, and they offer in addition a range of cheap pizzas to eat in or take away. The barman was fairly unwelcoming, while his family seemed to think that strangers were a threat. Although there were 4 handpumps on the bar, only 2 were dispensing, Spitfire and Whitstable Bay Pale Ale. I had the latter, which was much too cold and lacked any real flavour. There was also a good range of bottled beers, but why would I want to come back here to try them when I didn't feel welcome?