In a far corner of Kent, the seaside town of Ramsgate has an interesting hidden history and some welcoming hostelries for the discerning ale enthusiast.
Wetherspoons have done a superb job to create their largest UK outlet The Royal Victoria Pavilion ‘…A striking example of seaside architecture, this grade II listed building (the former dilapidated pavilion) had been one of the most at-risk Victorian/Edwardian buildings in the land….’ and whatever your feelings about the pub chain’s dominance it is a very pleasurable place to drink, with dedicated staff, efficient service and an outdoor upstairs large terrace along with downstairs tables almost on the sandy beach.

Meanwhile further into the town you can have a well-kept pint at The Hovelling Boat Inn, including choice offerings from local brewer Gadd’s. It is a micropub with no bar but table service and some outside seating in a courtyard. Scotch egg and pickles and usually pies complement the fine summer ale.
Hop onto the frequent ‘loop’ bus and arrive in the neighbouring town of Broadstairs, getting out next to the Mind The Gap railway themed micropub, the £3 a pint much cheaper than many of the train tickets adorning the walls. It has good sofas and a large choice of barrels clearly on display behind the bar.

Back in Ramsgate there are several bars and eateries overlooking the impressive ‘Royal’ walled harbour, with a surviving Dunkirk evacuation boat and a decaying concrete slope where prototype hovercrafts were launched from. One of these is The Goose, part of the Stonegate chain, and trying hard to draw customers from Wetherspoons. They were the only pub to give 10% CAMRA discount and with very friendly service, a pool table and four large pictures of Karl Marx, Queen Victoria, John Le Mesurier and Brenda Blethyn to give a good quizzer’s connection question (Answer: they all lived in Ramsgate!)

The find of the trip was the Ravensgate Arms up in the town, an unassuming exterior giving way to a stripped back and comfortable small pub, with superb beer and a satisfyingly obscure choice of music on the playlist. Also an honourable mention to the Royal Harbour Brasserie, at the end of the long harbour wall its location and the faded coastguard chic of the exterior and balmy sea air out on the terrace provide a suitable backdrop for a pint of Adnams Mosaic…

http://www.thanet-camra.org.uk/
https://www.ramsgatebrewery.co.uk/