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Old Neptune, Whitstable
Whitstable
CT5 1EJ
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Old Neptune
Right on the West Beach (which sounds more glamorous than it really is), and popular with dinners inside the partly opened-out L-shaped layout. There isn't a huge amount of space inside, but there is a large patio seating area overlooking the sea (which must be a fine spot to watch a spectacular sunset). Three cask beers on handpump: Shepherd Neame's seasonal Cobnut (£6.20 with a packet of peanuts) and Whitstable Bay Pale, plus Harvey's from further afield.
On 26th February 2024
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about Old Neptune
As described by others below, this pub was surrounded by screaming holiday makers who hogged the garden, but on entry was much calmer and actually quite pleasant. The atmosphere was calm and quiet, helped by a pleasant music selection from the jukebox. The staff were jovial yet professional, and the prices weren’t excessive. The thing that let it down most was the silly opening hours, which simply demonstrated that it was indeed aimed at the tourist trade rather than its locals. Only one ale on, Harvey’s Sussex Bitter, which was in poor condition and tasted rather meaty. There were a few craft ales and a bank of megakeg which I didn’t bother exploring as time was too short. I probably would drop in again if passing, and it was open, but I’m not sure I’d make a special effort.
On 30th October 2022
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3285 recommendations about 3250 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about Old Neptune
If people make the pubs, we fell lucky on a Wednesday afternoon.
A group of three cockney gents, on Rose Wine, provided the banter. A constant stream of new punters and an eclectic jukebox provided the material.
Great position on the coastal path, it has a central bar that drinkers can sit around, with most tables set up for dining. A large patio/outside area.
Harvey Sussex Best (yes!) in great condition.
On 19th May 2022
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1338 recommendations about 1324 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about Old Neptune
This white weatherboarded pub occupies a fine location right on the beach overlooking the Isle of Sheppey in the distance. Old Ramsgate Brewery Tomson and Wotton signage remains as do inserts in the leaded windows. My visit was in good weather with many customers sitting outside enjoying the views, All very pleasant but I bet it is a spectacular place to be in winter with the wind howling and rain slanting down while the wood burner is fired up in the through exposed brick chimney. Inside it is one space nowadays with the room returning around one end where there are good window views. An old scuffed boarded floor, curved painted bar front, matchboarded walls and a partially boarded ceiling from which trumpets and a trombone hang. There are drawings of actors and musicians by local artist Ron Chadwick, a plaque on a seat once occupied by Peter O'Toole during filming of "Venus", wooden advertisements, porcelain seafaring figures, collections of jugs and several of spaniels, suggesting a pub dog may lurk somewhere around maybe. A model of a 46lb pike caught nearby during flooding in 1953 hangs on a wall.
There are three handpumps, two were on, Harvey's Sussex Best and SN Whitstable Pale Ale.
This is a fine, superbly located and atmospheric pub, I thoroughly enjoyed my stay and would love to return on a stormy day for the experience. Another couple of less mainstream beers would make this a first rate pub indeed.
On 25th May 2016
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1708 recommendations about 1681 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Roger Button left this review about The Old Neptune
Our annual trawl around Whitstable’s pubs is never complete without a stop at the Old Neptune, certainly my favourite pub in town and among my favourite Kentish pubs.
This wooden structure has been battered by wind and waves since the original pub was destroyed in 1897. The walls contain many fading photos of the pub standing in front of crashing seas or surrounded by frozen beaches with half the walls hanging off but it still survives in its wonderful seafront location.
Given the batterings over the years, the basic interior is not surprisingly quite tatty and the bare wonky, sloping floors could have been taken from a fairground attraction. An upright piano sits in one corner and the ceiling contains lots of old advertisements. The windows indicate that the pub was once part of the now defunct Tomson & Wotton brewery that was based in Ramsgate and the old Bottle and Jug window is also still intact although the pub is now more open than it would have once been.
Popular with locals and celebrities alike, a letter of thanks from Raymond “Tomorrow’s World” Baxter is on display and a brass placque on one of the pews indicates Peter O’Toole’s favourite seat when he was in town filming. It is also not uncommon to find a large dog slouched across the floor or against the front door.
If the pub was ever let down by anything it was the bland selection of ales but this did improve for a while with the addition of an extra hand pump and a slightly more interesting selection however since my last visit the pub has been sold by Enterprise to Shepherd Neame whose presence in the area is perhaps more than overbearing. That said, they did at least have Harveys Best alongside 2 Shep’s regulars.
When the wind is howling the Old Neptune is a fine refuge from the elements but if the sun is out, the beer garden is the place to be. The pub has its own section of beach with benches on the pebbles overlooking the Thames Estuary and the distant wind farms. Note that plastic glasses are given for outside drinking.
There is a regular programme of live (mainly acoustic) music and during the Oyster Festival, troops of Morris dancers will jingle jangle their way around the pub and the beach.
Whether the sun is shining, the rain is pouring or the wind is howling, the Old Neptune seems to cover it all but it needs to be visited before the elements get their way again. Rest assured, a New Neptune wouldn’t have half the character as the Old one.
On 24th July 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1239 recommendations about 1233 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john mcgraw left this review about The Old Neptune
Hasn't fallen into the sea yet.
On 2nd April 2010
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2044 recommendations about 2025 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Philip Carter left this review about The Old Neptune
According to a friend who has visited this pub, it looks like it is falling into the sea. The pub is right on the beach & at the moment, has scaffolding inside one of the bars to hold it up, although it is still open. Better get there fast, just in case. I corrected the map going on the photo my friend took, hope I got it right.
On 26th April 2008
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 757 recommendations about 720 pubs]