The Crispin Inn, Sandwich

In addition to the main market square area of Sandwich, the other area with a bit of life is at the intersection of the High Street and the Quay. As well as a few decent restaurants along the Quay here you will find the Bell Hotel, the sadly currently closed Admiral Owen and the Crispin Inn. The Crispin Inn is an interesting pub of clearly some substantial age, especially as it is joined to the historic Barbican toll bridge gate house, which dates from the 14th century and is the only remaining gate house from the towns historic defensive wall when it used to be on the coast. It is best entered from the High street entrance as this brings you to the pleasant traditional beamed main bar and separate snug area to the left of the bar. We actually entered from the quay side where you have to walk through the covered outside courtyard drinking area and then snake through the fairly plain dining room area which initially gives first time visitors the feeling that you have made a bit of a mistake coming here, until you finally find the bar. The low ceiling, bare floor and brick walled bar has a homely feel and the furniture here has clearly seen some life. The bar itself, which sports a particularly fine display of Kentish hops along the bar top has six ale and cider pumps. One was not in use and with Old Rosie Cloudy Cider on one this left four ales on in the shape of Harvey’s Sussex Best, Timothy Taylor Knowle Spring and two badged Crispin Ale and Crispin Pale Ale which are brewed by the Nearby Mad Cat Brewery near Faversham. We tried both the Mad Cat brews and they were decent enough and served in good condition. It was a fine day so we took our beers outside. Unfortunately the covered courtyard doesn’t seem to get the sun but there are a couple of external metal tables and chairs placed riverside on the other side of the Fisherman’s Wharf and we managed to get one of these in this pleasant spot, and whilst there also enjoyed the spectacle of the road swing bridge being opened to let a sailing craft go down the River Stour.

Old brick & beamed pub near river bridge. Wood floor and narrow around the bar, lots of hops hanging around and a nice, old-world relaxing feel. Food area to one side, menu just underr a tenner for most & looks like quality food. 4 real ales, including Kent based beers

A medieval limewashed pub alongside Sandwich’s iconic Barbican,close to the Quays fronting the River Stour.The bar faces the door as you enter,with a little snug tucked away to the left:this was empty on our visit on an arctic January Saturday lunchtime, with most customers in the comfy chairs round the open fire to the right of the door.Behind the fire (open to both sides),is a larger room laid up for meals.Given the age and history of the pub, the decoration seems to be anonymously contemporary. A long term Good Beer Guide regular (in the Punch Taverns stable), the Crispin has a reputation for following an adventurous beer sourcing path.However, on this occasion,probably due to some January malaise,two handpumps were inactive, and one offered the dreaded Doom Bar.This left the house beer-Crispin Ale from Mad Cat over at Brogdale and Exmoor Gold.Being determined to drink Kentish this weekend I stuck with the Cat, a decent brown bitter,malty and earthy with a mid range snack of hops.Fizzy lager is also available. As a fairly foodie family, we were intrigued by the Caribbean cookery on offer:warming and spicy on a nippy day.A good country town pub:dogs were welcome.

Official site of The Crispin Inn - www.sandwichpubs.co.uk