The Four Horseshoes, Whitstable

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

Roger Button left this review about The Four Horseshoes

A Shepherd Neame pub situated a fair stroll from the town centre, the Four Horseshoes tends to be a bit off the radar for the average day tripper but it certainly has all the rustic charm to make it worth the walk if you have the time to spare.

The pub stands on a steep hill and is sunken from the road that makes it a little disconcerting when viewing the passing traffic at wheel level. The interior seems to mirror the hill with particularly low ceilings at one end of the pub that can be somewhat hazardous to anyone above average height but it does open out into a more comfortable headroom level at the other end. A history display just inside the high end entrance tells us that the pub was originally built in 1638 as a blacksmiths and became a pub in 1801.

There are 3 distinct areas, the central main bar with an unusual seating plan at the bar and a couple of quirky barrel tables. To the right at the lower end is a slightly more modern section whilst at the high end is a small and rather quaint room which is apparently used for traditional board games. Outside is a small narrow beer garden that is largely taken up by a bat and trap court.

There is plenty of character throughout the pub with old pictures, brasses and of particular note were the 4 unusual and quite possibly rather ancient shorter than normal hand pulls. The pub has an affectionate dog (who’s name I forgot) and also a canine ghost!

I initially noted just the 2 ales (Master Brew and Kent’s Best) until someone came in and asked for a pint of the rarely seen Shep’s Best Bitter that the landlady then trotted off to the cellar to fetch from what appeared to be a secret stash although I had just missed the sign saying it was available. That said, the extremely welcoming landlady did then offer me a subsequent tasting.

It is a shame that the pub is probably a stroll too far for my usual companions who tend not to drift too far away from the town centre as this certainly ranks up there with my favourite Whitstable watering holes but with a bit of persuasion I may hopefully add it to a future itinerary.

On 24^th July 2012 - rating: 8
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