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The West Gate Inn (JD Wetherspoon), Canterbury

Pub added by elizabeth mcgraw
1-3 North Lane
Canterbury
CT2 7EB
Phone: 01227464329

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Pub Type

J D Wetherspoon

Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) Add Review see review guidelines


Pub SignMan left this review about The West Gate Inn (JD Wetherspoon)

This is a large Wetherspoons pub next to the river and easily reached from Canterbury West station. The pub has a fairly unusual layout by ‘Spoons standards, occupying what felt like a couple of shop converted premises, with loads of former partitioning walls retained, which really break the space up effectively, with the usual mix of seating options filling the remaining space. In fact, the place is so disjointed and maze-like, that the addition of all that furniture can make it tricky to navigate at times, as certain routes get blocked off or diverted away from. The servery is along the right-hand wall and has a fairly bog-standard counter and bar back but is at least relatively free of clutter and therefore easy to get served at. As the pub moves towards the rear, more comfortable seating options appear in the form of plush banquettes, and there is access to an outdoor seating area back here as well as the inevitable staircase to begin your mission to the toilets.
There were six operational handpulls at the bar, half of which were dishing out the usual ‘Spoons ales, whereas the other three offered relatively unexciting guest options, from which I ended up with a pint of Woodforde’s Volt, which was in reasonable nick but not the most memorable pint I’ve ever sampled. The staff were a bit slow and disinterested, but it was uncharacteristically quiet throughout our visit and maybe they’re a bit more on the ball when the pace starts to pick up.
Thought this was a fairly run of the mill branch of the ‘Spoons empire that benefits from having a few relatively private spots to settle down in but is ultimately fairly underwhelming and not all that much of an improvement from its sister pub at the other end of town. A safe bet perhaps, but there are many more interesting watering holes to check out elsewhere across the city.

Date of visit – 1st May 2023

On 29th November 2023 - rating: 6
[User has posted 3102 recommendations about 3102 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Graham Coombs left this review about The West Gate Inn (JD Wetherspoon)

Spoons cashing in on the tourists with a rather jumbled sort of place, not one of their best although ales included 3 from Kent. Food was ok. I disagree with Ray's view on the other Spoons though - much preferred.

On 16th August 2019 - rating: 6
[User has posted 3322 recommendations about 3259 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Real Ale Ray left this review about The West Gate Inn (JD Wetherspoon)

Eight ales and two ciders to choose from on our visit. I went for the Whitstable Brewery Winkle Picker 4.5%, which only cost £2 a pint. So excellent value for a superb pint of beer. The front of the pub has the original timber trusses exposed and the bar was timber frame with old red brick inserts. The pub had good atmosphere from the locals and I much preferred this Spoons to the Ingoldsby the far side of town.

On 10th November 2016 - rating: 8
[User has posted 3378 recommendations about 3378 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Aqualung . left this review about The West Gate Inn (JD Wetherspoon)

This is one of those Spoons that looks and feels like it might have been an original pub but I could find no evidence to support the theory. It's a much better place than the old school shop conversion in the town centre.
It's small for a Spoons with the bar area on the right and the rest of the building split into various areas. I visited twice, for a pint in the morning and something to eat later in the day.
The bar has ten hand pumps in all which had only one Available Soon and no doubling up. Beers available were the JDW Trio Of Doom, Caledonian Thunder Trail, Hawkshead Cumbrian 5 Hop, Bombardier, Whitstable East India Pale, Wantsum Montgomery and Milestone Boston Bitter. I went for the Five Hop (£2.19) which was in good nick and charged at the standard guest price. This price in itself is cheap for a Southern Spoons and I expected a tourist and student hot spot to be a lot dearer.
I thought this was a pretty good Spoons.

On 17th October 2016 - rating: 8
[User has posted 2143 recommendations about 2143 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The West Gate Inn (JD Wetherspoon)

Quite a good 'spoons, with various seating areas in an attractive 17th-century listed building. Also has a rear conservatory extension and a small side patio. Ten handpumps available, with several local beers including two from Wantsum and others from elsewhere in Kent e.g. Westerham Hop Rocket (£2.60).

On 24th August 2014 - rating: 7
[User has posted 8066 recommendations about 8066 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


E TA left this review about The West Gate Inn (JD Wetherspoon)

An interesting building just outside the City wall, opposite the historic structure after which it's named. The pub itself is housed in a 17th Century listed building and has a rambling feel to it. Modern renovations have removed much of the original frame and structure, but it now has a light and airy feel which makes for a pleasant place to eat and drink. Its various nooks and crannies give it an intimate feel. It was busy, but the staff were friendly. Food was not a good point - portions were small, and the quality of the cooking wasn't that high. That said, when they messed up our order they did make it good and gave me discount as recompense, so customer service gets a tick. I had a pint of Hawkshead which was in very good condition, so good on the beer front too. Overall, well worth dropping in for a pint.

On 8th June 2012 - rating: 7
[User has posted 3272 recommendations about 3237 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Old Blue left this review about The West Gate Inn (JD Wetherspoon)

I’m not generally a JDW fan, but this was certainly one of the better ones I’ve been in. Well looked after, comfortable place with good service and beer selection. I had some decent pints here including very nice pints of Wold Top brewery’s Wold Gold, and Wantsum's Turbulent Priest, neither of which I’d tried before.

On 23rd January 2012 - rating: 7
[User has posted 271 recommendations about 270 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


john mcgraw left this review about The West Gate Inn (JD Wetherspoon)

A much more brighter and airy Wetherspoons than the Thomas Ingoldsby over the other side of the city. has a couple of seperate drinking areas with a conservatory and an outside drinking area at the rear. Has a fair range of guest ales as you would expect at the spring beer festival. 10 minutes brisk walk from Canterbury West Railway Station

On 18th April 2009 - rating: 8
[User has posted 2044 recommendations about 2025 pubs]