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Poll for date of Halifax crawl. with ROBCamra
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Image posted by Just a quick pint, then I'm off
Submitted on Thursday, 9th December 2021
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Detail Pages
The Will Adams, Gillingham
Gillingham
ME7 5EG
Served areas
Reviews of The Will Adams (Average Rating: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about The Will Adams
Dating from around 1874 and originally called The Anglo Saxon, this pub is a small corner bar with a long-standing reputation for good beer. It was renamed in the 1990s after the famous explorer, ostensibly to disassociate it from a previous troubled reputation, but local rumour is that it was more likely done through political correctness. The current owner, Pete, has been there for around 19 years so wasn't involved in this decision. There are some quirky paintings, wooden floors and a calm atmosphere. The clientele comprises a few locals and some CAMRA types. There were only 2 ales on this time, so I had a pint of each - Everards and Dark Star were both in excellent condition. A good place to spend an evening's libation and definitely the best pub in Gillingham Town centre.
On 19th May 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3283 recommendations about 3248 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about The Will Adams
This is an interesting and friendly back street pub, easily reached by a short detour from the High Street. The entrance takes you into a narrow room with the bar running along the left hand side and some low stools and tables positioned in the narrow, carpeted gap opposite. There is a small, wider section at the end of the bar counter, where a couple more tables have been positioned, one of which is under a dartboard. I noticed on entering some fine etched glass windows but these were obscured by large, heavy curtains on my recent evening visit. The walls are half panelled, with the top half painted to resemble what I took to be a cartoon, Wild West saloon look - although it appears that the desired effect might have been to resemble the interior of an old ship, in keeping with the Will Adams theme. This is expanded upon at the rear of the pub, where an open area containing a pool table and dartboard, has been painted with a mural depicting the explorer's adventures. A small TV above the side door was showing local news and music played quietly in fits and starts throughout my stay.
There were three ales on when I dropped in - St Austell Tribute, Wolf Battle of Britain and Greene King London Glory. Three boxes of cider from Weston's were propped up on the counter and I spotted a keg version of Hop Back Summer Lightning amongst the usual tap offerings. I tried the Tribute and Battle of Britain and found them both to be well kept. A big stack of CAMRA magazines from all over the country was piled up at one end of the bar and the pub is currently listed in their Good Beer Guide. I was served by a cheery barman who was wearing a Gillingham football shirt, in anticipation of their cup fixture later that evening.
I thought this was a pretty decent pub, if perhaps a bit tired looking, and having enjoyed an extended stay in here I would certainly make a return visit the next time I'm in town.
On 21st December 2011
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The Will Adams
The Will Adams is a small back street boozer with a bar that supports five hand pumps. Two of these were unused during my Monday night visit, but Nethergate IPA, Pin Up Beers Red Head and Tirrel Ales Pennine Pilsner were available alongside some standard draught. This pub certainly has the most adventurous ale options in Gillingham Town. Star Trek was on the TV and the woman behind the bar was engrossed in it, but I was served quickly and she was very polite. There is a regular dartboard by the entrance and at the rear there was a practice board with only doubles and the bullseye on it.
This pub is a little quirky with the ship theme painted throughout and I liked it in a theme park kind of way. Would I return? Yes, this is one of the better pubs of the area.
On 11th November 2011
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5243 recommendations about 5211 pubs]
View more reviews of The Will Adams (9)
No known official website for this pub.
- Facebook - Will Adams
- CAMRA WhatPub :: The Will Adams - whatpub.com
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : No last updated 05 July 2023 by paulof horsham
- Car Park : No last updated 05 July 2023 by paulof horsham
- Darts : Yes last updated 19 February 2010 by hondo .
- Micropub : No last updated 05 July 2023 by paulof horsham
- Pool Table : Yes last updated 19 February 2010 by hondo .
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 11 November 2011 by Will Larter
