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The Shipwrights Arms, Hollow Shore, Faversham
Faversham
ME13 7TU
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about The Shipwrights Arms
An iconic and historic Kent pub with strong connections to local maritime life, including a history of smuggling, barges and, more recently, yachting. Once difficult to get to from land side, it is now approached through what is about to become an awful housing estate, and it has a somewhat pot-holed tarmac track leading to it as well as the adjacent boatyard – a recent innovation given that previously it was a mud track impassable in very wet Winters. The pub has somewhat modernised since I first went there some 4 decades ago, having been extended and now having a kitchen. The original fireplace still stands, as does the core structure which now contains 3 seating areas, plus there is an extension housing a basic but good value restaurant. The younger bar staff were helpful and friendly, and the beer was excellent. The ales were kept on stillage behind the bar and in a separate cellar, brought through by hand. The selection was Goacher’s Dark Mild, Bitter and Shipwreck, Kent Brewery’s Citra and Prohibition and Harvey’s Best Bitter, all in outstanding condition. Definitely a pub to visit under any circumstances, including from the sea when the tide allows, but do check opening times first.
On 25th November 2019
- rating: 9
[User has posted 3285 recommendations about 3250 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about The Shipwrights Arms
This was my destination pub of the day, incorporated about half way through the splendid Two Creeks circular walk from Faversham and back via Hollow Shore and Oare. I timed my arrival as a lunch stop and enjoyed a decent quality pasty with a side salad. An attractive white weatherboarded exterior which enticingly can be seen for some distance as you walk along the creek towards it.
The pub is walker and dog friendly, walkers are understandably requested to remove muddy boots as the pub is mostly carpeted however there is the option of blue plastic bag "over-shoes" which I plumped for, not the least concerned about a couple of strange looks I got, presumably from folk who'd arrived by car.
The main room has the bar at the back, there was a proper log fire on in here, a couple of connected small areas to the right and a larger room, perhaps an add-on to this historic building, to the left. Low beamed ceilings everywhere, model boats/ships and other maritime artefacts abound even on the bar ceiling. A shelf of books between rooms.
Beers here are on stillage with Goacher's leading, they had Shipwrecked, Dark Mild and the heavyweight Old Ale, also on, Harvey's Best and Kent Brewery Prohibition. Reading the earlier review perhaps these are standard but I don't know for sure.
I have been intending to walk this route including the pub for some time, my expectancy was not matched by disappointment, a brilliant walk in great conditions and a first rate pub.
In summer I imagine the large grassy garden comes into its own, there is further table seating to the front which is where you need to go for the outside gents toilet. The ladies are privileged with an indoor one. The landlord is certainly from the old school but polite and appreciative of good manners.
Go here if you can but watch the hours, closed Monday and the pub keeps the old afternoon closing window from 3pm until 6 during the week.
On 16th March 2018
- rating: 9
[User has posted 1708 recommendations about 1681 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
. Wittenden left this review about The Shipwrights Arms
An isolated white weatherboard pub at the confluence of Faversham and Oare Creeks,best approached on foot across the marshes from Faversham,along the Saxon Shore Way. Full of nooks and crannies, with comfy chairs and open fires. A shrine to Goacher's of Maidstone,all cask beers are served by gravity from behind the bar.Being a winter visit, I failed to notice any cooling provisions for the summer months,but the beer on our February visit was on top nick,including Goacher's legendary 1066 Old Ale.Also available were Harvey's Sussex Best Bitter, and Kent's Prohibition.
The bar staff were very friendly, and the landlord suitably no nonsense.We enjoyed our fish'n'chips- most meals seemed reasonably priced,especially for the Southeast.This is one of our favourite pubs,mercifully free of modern tat.
On 3rd February 2018
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 283 recommendations about 282 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Shipwrights Arms
This pub is very isolated and out of the way; if you chance upon this place by mistake you are probably very lost. As a destination pub, it's most certainly worth the effort to find it. We visited it for a meal on Friday evening when it was only moderately busy, and then again on Saturday lunchtime when it was very busy with ramblers doing the walk along the canal navigation out of Faversham. And if you're doing that walk it makes perfect sense to stop here for some refreshment. The pub is certainly at least 300 years old, and almost certainly there's been an inn on the site for much longer. Inside it's exactly as you would expect - wooden beams and posts, low ceilings, nooks and crannies, charming fireplaces, and a definitely ancient and lived in appeal. It has been extended a bit in living memory, in order to extend the dining area. There is maritime decor all over the place; a nice garden at the front (or back - not sure which is the front or back!) with access from the footpath. There's also a garden memorial to the landlord's wife, who died earlier this year.
Normally one is dismayed to walk into a pub and see that there are no handpumps on the counter, but here I was forewarned that ales are gravity dispensed from stillage. There were five ales on - Harvey's Best (£3.90 a pint), plus four from Maidstone Brewery Goacher's: Dark Mild (3.4%/£3.30), Shipwrecked (3.8%/£3.50), Gold Star (5.1%/£3.80), and Green Hop (3.9%/£3.90). I had pints of the Shipwrecked, Gold Star, and Green Hop and all three were in superb condition. Apparently the Shipwrecked is a house ale, and is brewed by Goacher's for just three pubs. Main meals were pub grub - the roast chicken dinner was less than £9, and the steak & kidney pudding plus veg was £9.25. It looks as if their main business stream is daytime walkers, and many of the ones we saw were tucking into sandwiches and jacket potatoes. As I recall the sandwiches were a bit more than £4.
This is a destination pub in every sense of the word. If you have the time and fitness, I would certainly recommend the trek out of Faversham to visit this little gem.
On 13th October 2015
- rating: 9
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Shipwrights Arms
A classic pub in a remote location - you certainly have to make a real effort to get here but it is certainly worth it. If walking the Saxon Shore Way, it is a great place to stop for lunch (but note that it is closed on Mondays). Goachers and Whitstable real ales direct from the cask. Nice beer garden.
On 25th July 2009
- rating: 8
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Manky Badger left this review about The Shipwrights Arms
Brilliant place to go - scenic walks around the place, picturesque garden and with beer strainght out of the barrel, what more could you ask for?
On 17th October 2007
- rating: 8
[User has posted 155 recommendations about 154 pubs]