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Detail Pages
The Fountain of Ale, Sittingbourne
Sittingbourne
ME10 3DU
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about The Fountain of Ale
Liked the name and smart enough on the outside.
Inside, a handful of locals keeping the barmaid occupied with chat.
Inside, typical town centre pub. Beer-wise, just a single handpull. Wantsum Single Hop Jarrylo in the sort of condition that I had to drink my mates pint to avoid embarrassment.
On 17th May 2022
- rating: 4
[User has posted 1338 recommendations about 1324 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Fountain of Ale
This pub sits in prime location close to the Railway Station. The exterior has recently been repainted, along with a painted mural over the entrance. A couple of drinkers in the Paper Mill Micro gave us the recommendation to visit this one, as the pub was increasing their selection of ales on handpump. Four ales on our visit which were, Shepherd Neame Master Brew, Navigation Golden, Wickwar and Ashover Liquorice. We went for the Ashover Liquorice, which was interesting and the Navigation. We went in the left hand side room, which was a good size, with boarded floor, painted light green walls, pool table and the original mahogany bar along the right hand side wall.
On 1st April 2018
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The Fountain and Railway Hotel
I must say that I was pleasantly surprised as I entered the Fountain as I was expecting there to be more of a restaurant feel due to the massive banner on the front of the pub that says ‘Thai Kitchen at the Fountain’. I’ll never understand why publicans put these large banners up outside there pubs as they are very off putting and can give a false impression, especially in the case of the Fountain.
Thai food is served, but I didn’t see any menus and I was the only customer on a recent Monday evening. There was some sixties music playing in the background off the jukebox and around to the left of the pub are a pool table, dartboard and plasma screen which was turned off. I had a nose around and wasn’t surprised to see no signs for sports coverage. There is a courtyard out the back which seemed to be set up mainly for smokers. The décor consists almost entirely of railway memorabilia which isn’t surprising due to the close proximity to Sittingbourne Railway Station.
The usual Shepherd Neame draught was available from the bar which supports two hand pumps that were drawing Master Brew and Late Red.
Live music is advertised for Friday nights and the opening hours are standard apart from an early 20:30 close on Sundays.
I found this to be a perfectly acceptable pub that I would have no problem returning to.
On 22nd February 2013
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5249 recommendations about 5217 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about The Fountain
The Fountain and Railway Hotel, formerly just the Fountain Hotel, is a Shephard and Neame pub built in 1857 as part of the railway complex and was one of Sittingbourne's principal hotels (despite only having 6 rooms) during the early part of the 20th Century. It sits on a plot just opposite the station, but is now difficult to get to due to the new road layout. It has a singla large bar with some original Victorian features including etched glass and fireplace. There is also a telephone which, it is reputed, was used by railway workers who occupied the snug (when it had one) to communicate with the station while having a beer. Only 1 ale on when I visited, Masterbrew, which was beautifully kept and tasted spot on. The atmosphere was calm and quiet despite the presence of a jukebox and gaming machine. The pub also has a good community spirit and is well worth including in a crawl, while I'd be happy to stop here for a pint when travelling through or waiting for a train.
On 3rd June 2011
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3285 recommendations about 3250 pubs]