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Disappointment of the week with trainman
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Detail Pages
The Bell & Crown, Canterbury
Canterbury
CT1 2DZ
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8 of 10) see review guidelines
Pub SignMan left this review about The Bell & Crown
This is a compact, L-shaped pub tucked away down one of the pleasant lanes behind the cathedral. The pub has a traditionally styled interior, bare boarded throughout, with pews and chairs arranged across a shallow but broad front area that extends a little to the right beyond the end of the bar. Meanwhile, low stools serve a series of small tables down the left-hand side of the pub, which extends a short way to the rear of the building. The servery has a rather basic curved tongue and groove counter with a simple bar back and blackboard lined canopy. There are plenty of dark wood timbers criss-crossing whitewashed walls, to give the place a real olde world feel, whilst the décor is a mix of old black and white photos of local scenes, and a few contemporary bits of art – a decent blending of old and new that didn’t feel particularly jarring.
On the bar, handpulls were dispensing Wantsum Coronation Session, Canterbury Ales The Friars and Long Man Best Bitter. A friendly barman offered a warm welcome and poured me a great pint of the Best Bitter, which slipped down nicely, and I was a little loathe to leave after just the one pint, as I would’ve liked to soak up the atmosphere a bit more and try some of their other ales.
I thought this was quite a modest little boozer that seems to be doing a lot of the basics very well. The limited but interesting ale selection from relatively local breweries seemed to help ensure a good quality pint and the service was bright and efficient whilst the pub maintained a warm, welcoming ambiance which encouraged a longer stay. One of the better pubs I visited on a recent trip to Canterbury and one I’d be more than happy to revisit the next time I’m in town.
Date of visit – 30th April 2023
On 29th November 2023
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about The Bell & Crown
A friendly, traditional corner pub as described below. There was a great atmosphere when we visited, it was welcoming and friendly. There was an open fire to take the edge of the evening chill, the music was most agreeable and the chat was a bit more grown-up than you find in some other local pubs. Ales on were Canterbury Ales’s Miller’s, Long Man Best Bitter, Old Dairy Uber Brew and Tonbridge Blonde Ambition, plus Camden Pale Ale on keg. It’s obviously improved since some of the earlier reviews, and say it’s now a definite for inclusion in a city crawl.
On 11th July 2022
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3281 recommendations about 3246 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Bell & Crown Inn
Former Truman corner pub, with some interesting historic features retained on both facades. However, the 'L'-shaped interior has been redone in a rustic light-wood alehouse style (which is OK in its own right, but any original character has been lost). Four Kentish real ales on handpump: Wife of Bath from Canterbury Ales, Fife & Drum and from Musket, a tasty Gadds No 5 and Hopdaemon Incubus.
On 12th February 2017
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8092 recommendations about 8092 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Bell & Crown Inn
We caught this on a bad day as the Old Dairy Red Top was badly on the turn. I took it back and the young barmaid agreed, she told the young man behind the bar, who I assumed to be the cellarman, who replied i'll put another one on. So the barmaid turned the pumpclip back and we did not see any sign of the line being cleaned through. I also tried the Whitsable East India Pale Ale, which was not up to much. We saw a few tourists trying to find some traditional English ales on our visit, a disappointing selection on our visit.
On 13th November 2016
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
. Wittenden left this review about The Bell & Crown Inn
Traditional tile hung street corner pub on the pedestrianised Palace Street,outside the walls of the Cathedral Precints. A few tables and chairs outside for that continental vibe:inside, an L-shaped room,uncluttered. A celebrated "Fremlin's" window commemorates a much loved former brewery, and affords a fine view of the western towers of the Cathedral.
The Bell and Crown is noted for its support of Kent microbreweries:on my brief visit on a Saturday lunchtime in June I tried a Montgomery IPA from Wantsum of Hersden.Not really to my taste,unfortunately, although I understand that generally the beer here is consistently good.
A lively pub,popular with drinkers and tourists.
On 31st October 2016
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 283 recommendations about 282 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Gill Smith left this review about The Bell & Crown Inn
Very popular pub with outside pavement seating close to the Cathedral. Polycarb glasses but no problem with them or the beer. Enjoyed Ramsgate Gadds No 3 and Hopdaemon Incubus. Stocks continental bottled beers too.
On 5th June 2010
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1339 recommendations about 1222 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john mcgraw left this review about The Bell & Crown Inn
Basic single bar "no nonsense" corner local with up to 4 real ales on tap of which a couple seem to be from local breweries (The Whitstable IPA was in very good condition) very friendly bar staff and good banter with the locals.
On 16th April 2009
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2044 recommendations about 2025 pubs]