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The Leading Light (Wetherspoon)
| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Lancaster - Amber |  | 1 |
| Ringwood - Old Thumper | | 1 |
| Marston's - Wychwood Hobgoblin Gold |  | 1 |
| Wantsum - Black Prince | | 1 |
| By The Horns - Stiff Upper Lip (downgraded from 3.8% in 2023) | | 1 |
| Georges - Olde Southendian Porter | | 1 |
| Mad Cat - Crispin Amber | | 2 |
| Wantsum - Dynamo |  | 1 |
| Exe Valley - Autumn Glory | | 1 |
| Greene King - Abbot | | 1 |
| Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Old Growler | Not Tried | 0 |
| Cairngorm - Highland IPA | Not Tried | 0 |
| Dartmoor - Jail Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Mad Cat - Platinum Blonde (previously Meaney's Platinum Blonde Ale) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Mad Cat - Golden IPA (previously Meaney's Golden India Pale Ale) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Conwy (Bragdy Conwy) - American Amber | Not Tried | 0 |
| Ilkley - Lotus IPA (was 5.6%) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Branscombe (was Branscombe Vale) - Punchy Pale Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Hop Monster (Georges) - Mad Dog Black (was Mad Dog Mild) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Hop Monster (Georges) - Kobayashi Maru | Not Tried | 0 |
| Sharp's - Doom Bar | Not Tried | 0 |
| Greene King - Ruddles Best (was 3.7%) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Wantsum - 1381 | Not Tried | 0 |
Visits Details
25 Apr 2026 (Dosser)
On a camra beer tour but haven't seen anyone yet as we're 2 hours late! Cheap here but only 3 weak guests.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georges - Olde Southendian Porter | 4.10 | | Olde Southendian porter is the name I'm after, George's brewery, but can't find it. Decent porter without a kick. |
17 Apr 2026 (Magnus Greel)
Mid afternoon for a cheap late lunch and beer, not too busy with tables available for one of JDW's more quieter smaller venues. I've only listed the guest ales.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wantsum - Dynamo | 4.30 | | Slightly acetic and watery with hints of malty biscuit. |
| Hop Monster (Georges) - Mad Dog Black (was Mad Dog Mild) | 4.90 | Not Tried | |
| Hop Monster (Georges) - Kobayashi Maru | 4.20 | Not Tried |
19 Dec 2025 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit. A Christmas sort of crowd standing in the open floor and crowding the bar.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greene King - Abbot | 5.00 | | Rather caramelly backtaste |
| Sharp's - Doom Bar | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Greene King - Ruddles Best (was 3.7%) | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Mad Cat - Platinum Blonde (previously Meaney's Platinum Blonde Ale) | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Mad Cat - Golden IPA (previously Meaney's Golden India Pale Ale) | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Conwy (Bragdy Conwy) - American Amber | 5.00 | Not Tried |
24 Sep 2025 (Magnus Greel)
A beer n burger late lunch to kill some time before a real pub (The Elephant) 15.00 opening. Fairly quiet just the hubbub of folk's conversation.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mad Cat - Crispin Amber | 4.00 | | Malty bitter toasty fare. |
| Greene King - Abbot | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Sharp's - Doom Bar | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Greene King - Ruddles Best (was 3.7%) | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Wantsum - Black Prince | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Dartmoor - Jail Ale | 4.80 | Not Tried |
16 May 2025 (Magnus Greel)
Quieter than expected for a mid Friday afternoon with plenty of tables available in this smaller than the average Wetherspoons while we had a beer and refuel before heading off to The Elephant at 15.00.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mad Cat - Crispin Amber | 4.00 | | Earthy with a slight caramel and subtle bitterness. |
| Greene King - Abbot | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Sharp's - Doom Bar | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Greene King - Ruddles Best (was 3.7%) | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Wantsum - 1381 | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Wantsum - Black Prince | 3.90 | Not Tried |
22 Mar 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
Busy for my early evening visit and last visit of the day in Faversham. A table and chair to be found. Prompt and attentive service from the barmaid for my curry and meal-deal drink to go with it and to soak up the earlier beers before the trains back.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wantsum - Black Prince | 3.90 | | Pleased to see the local Thanet-based brewery's mild on, from St Nicholas-At-Wade, east of Whitstable. It came with good head and lacing and after my taster of it. A dry bitter first hit. A moreishly dry maltiness in the mouthfeel and pervading in the aftertaste and it suitably washed down the curry. |
| Greene King - Abbot | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Sharp's - Doom Bar | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Greene King - Ruddles Best (was 3.7%) | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Ilkley - Lotus IPA (was 5.6%) | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Branscombe (was Branscombe Vale) - Punchy Pale Ale | 5.00 | Not Tried |
14 Sep 2024 (Hogan Sampling)
Busy for early evening visit but was seated with no problem. In to fill a hole and so to wash a curry down. Fascinating old Art Deco building and built as a cinema in the 1930s. Three guest beers on.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| By The Horns - Stiff Upper Lip (downgraded from 3.8% in 2023) | 3.40 | | A light pale ale with good carbonation. Full of hoppy flavours and a lingering bitterness. |
18 Feb 2024 (Archie14)
Busy afternoon visit
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lancaster - Amber | 3.60 | | Nest to last pint out but still in excellent shape, biscuity, malty goodness 🍺 |
08 Nov 2023 (Jack William)
Early evening. Sat in the window, Read the paper and watched the rain.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ringwood - Old Thumper | 5.10 | | Superb winter warmer. |
| Greene King - Abbot | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Old Growler | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Cairngorm - Highland IPA | 5.00 | Not Tried |
15 Sep 2021 (Jack William)
2pm. Having discovered that both Faversham micros were closed until late afternoon we went to The Elephant - only to find that didn’t open until 3. What is it with the independents in Faversham? Ended up here, the place felt rather tired.
Bit disappointed that I’ve only just realised this brings up my 300th different Kent pub on this site. If I’d have known I may have chosen a more distinguished venue.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marston's - Wychwood Hobgoblin Gold | 4.20 | | A much better pint than the Autumn Glory. |
| Exe Valley - Autumn Glory | 4.50 | | Not great condition. |
| Greene King - Abbot | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Sharp's - Doom Bar | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Greene King - Ruddles Best (was 3.7%) | 3.40 | Not Tried |
About The Leading Light
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
 | - |
| 17 |
| 17 |
| 9 |
 | 1 |
The pub is found in Faversham, Kent, ME13 8NZ.
Lovely Art Deco building in Preston Street not far from the railway station and opened in 1997. The name of this Wetherspoon pub recalls Henry Wreight (pronounced rate), who was a 'leading light' in the development of Faversham in the 19th century. Great iron work and windows on the front. The wood/marble interior is stunning and gives a grandiose feel to the pub. Attractive patio garden to the rear. 12 handpumps in 2 banks each of 6. Raised seating area to one side of the main bar floor and a restaurant area to the rear.
We have visited this pub 42 times, seen 101 different beers and tried 37 of them.
Postcode: ME13 8NZ