Two of Kent’s most famous and popular pubs have been ranked among the best seaside boozers in the UK.
The Old Neptune, on Whitstable beach, and The Zetland Arms, in Kingsdown near Deal, both received acclaim in a list of the top 25 beachfront taverns.
While the Zetland came in at 25th place, The Old Neptune was ranked in third place – beaten only by the Tŷ Coch Inn in North Wales and The Ship Inn in Northumberland.
Staff at Big 7 Travel compiled the list with writers saying of The Old Neptune: “Whitstable is a favourite for day-trippers from London – just one hour and 20 minutes away by train – and has a great pub scene.
“But the Old Neptune stands out. Its classic white and blue facade screams nautical – perfectly fitting for a pub that is, literally, on the beach.
“Tables spill out across the shingle shore, or you can take a plastic cup pint down to your seaside set up for the day.”
The Whitstable inn has become a favourite for celebrities and day-trippers alike, owing to its idyllic location and music-friendly atmosphere.
Holly Willoughby, Jack Whitehall, Chris Tarrant and Suggs from Madness are just a handful of stars to pop into the pub for a quick one.
Darren Wilton, the landlord of 21 years, told KentOnline last year that the seafront location has definitely helped him be successful.
But he also admitted having a beachside pub is not all fun and games.
“I can remember one November about 14 years ago, we had a really high tide and it actually came up to the wall,” Darren said.
“I had to bring all the benches in and I’ll always remember someone came through my front door and said to me, ‘where’s your sandbags?’
“I said: ‘Look, if it gets over that wall, I’ll need more than sandbags’ – you can’t protect the pub from the tide.”
The Zetland Arms is one of the closest public houses on the British mainland to France and has enviable sea views from the beach at Kingsdown.
The Big 7’s guide said about the pub: “This is a pretty special pub, sitting on a shingle beach that’s flanked by towering chalk white cliffs.
“It’s no fancy gastropub – the menu features all the fried fish favourites and steaming bowls of chowder – but it’s just what you want when beside the seaside.
“And the beer is fantastic, stocked by the beloved Shepherd Neame brewery.
“Deal is just down the road, but the rest of the world feels far away here – especially on sunny days, the pebbles at your feet, swapping stories over a cold pint.”
According to The Old Pubs of Deal and Walmer, its original name was the Earl of Zetland and in 1860, there was a lugger of that title which sank on its way to Ramsgate.
In recent times, it has welcomed The Saturdays singer Frankie Bridge.
In September 1977, David Frost and former prime minister Harold Wilson were in Deal making a programme about prime ministers and popped into the Zetland afterwards for lunch.
