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Northern Belle, Margate
Margate
CT9 1HE
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about The Northern Belle
Can’t better any of the comments below and my recent visit concurred with what people have previously said about Margate’s oldest pub.
Spitfire, Master Brew and Whitstable Bay on the three pumps for my visit and the Spitfire was fortunately in good nick.
On 4th October 2019
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2110 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Northern Belle
Traditional side-street pub, apparently Margate's oldest, and a welcome haven from some of the livelier and brasher seafront bars. The compact bar is in the front room, but a (slightly) larger seating area can be found to the rear. Light wood-panelling on most walls, and decor naturally following a nautical theme. Live music advertised (although how they manage to fit a band in is far from obvious...). Three handpumps on the counter, dispensing - as a Shepherd Neame house - Master Brew, Whitstable Bay and the seasonal Goldings Summer Ale (£3.70).
On 23rd August 2015
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8086 recommendations about 8086 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about The Northern Belle
The pub was, as Roger says, built in 1680 by knocking two fisherman's cottages together, but it was known as The Aurora Borealis before changing its name to the Waterman Arms. It is certainly Margate's oldest pub and is a GBG regular. It's tucked away down a side street and provides a fine contrast to the noisier seafront pubs, while the welcoming banter from the locals contrasts the drunken ramblings of Margate's yoofs elsewhere. Well worth a visit for a quiet pint which you might not find in other nearby establishments.
Two ales on this time, I had Masterbrew which was in excellent condition.
On 25th April 2013
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3281 recommendations about 3246 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Roger Button left this review about The Northern Belle
This Shepherd Neame pub is situated in a slightly tucked away alley opposite the entrance to the harbour. Originally a pair of cottages, the pub claims to be the oldest in Margate dating back to 1680 and was originally called the Waterside Arms. The name was changed following a nearby maritime incident in 1857 when an American boat called the Northern Belle ran aground off the coast and a perilous rescue mission was undertaken that ended up with 9 lives lost. Timbers from the stricken vessel were used to renovate the interior of the pub and can still be seen today.
The interior has a central bar and it cane be a bit of a squeeze in places. The fixtures and fittings are quite basic with bare floros and sturdy furnishings that include a personalized table commemorating the shipwreck and another glass topped table set on a pair of capstans. There has been a refurbishment since my previous visit with a large TV and dart board now removed and some modern pew style seating put in. The walls contain displays of beer clips (although I have yet to actually see a guest beer available) alongside various nautical pictures, an account of the Northern Belle disaster and some fishing nets containg a menagerie of plastic sea life.
The 4 hand pumps offered Oyster Stout, Master Brew and Thatchers Heritage Cider with the 4th pump unused. Quality is generally very good and prices reasonable.
One major factor is that the pub seems to be a haven from the oiks that frequent the town and the regulars have always been friendly and chatty on my visits. There aren’t many pubs in town that can match the Northern Belle for hospitality or historical interest and remains high on the pub visit list whenever I hit town.
On 30th July 2012
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1239 recommendations about 1233 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
david bryant left this review about The Northern Belle
Excellent beer, good conversation and regular live music and juke box avaialble, darts night once a week. No pool table, no phone, no TV, just good bber
On 5th June 2007
- rating: 10
[User has posted 15 recommendations about 15 pubs]