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The Anchor (Admiral Taverns)

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Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
Big Lamp - BitterGood1
Butcombe - GoldExcellent1
Camerons - StrongarmGood1
Harvey's - Sussex Best BitterGood2
Jersey (now called Liberation) - Liberation AleGood1
Marston's - Ashes AleAcceptable1
Navigation - Pale AleGood1
St Austell - Jolly HollyExcellent1
Tonbridge - Country BestExcellent1
Turners - Best BitterGood1
Wantsum - ImperiumExcellent1
Gun - Scaramanga Extra Pale AleNot Tried0
Long Man - Long BlondeNot Tried0
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 5Not Tried0
Sharp's - Doom BarNot Tried0
Wantsum - Anchor Imperial AleNot Tried0

Visits Details

10 Jan 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
2nd visit of the outing: Ticking over for my late afternoon visit with the majority seated at the bar in this time-warp of an old pub that only does food lunchtimes so as not to get in the way of the serious business of drinking come the evening for what appear to be those of a more mature age. Friendly, prompt service as before on my first visit on 13th December 2025. A choice of three real ales on as on my earlier visit and including one from the Thanet-based brewery as in Wantsum and badged up as Anchor Imperial Ale.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Wantsum - Imperium4.00ExcellentThis amber-coloured Kent Best Bitter from Nicholas-at-Wade just south-west of Birchington-on-Sea came with superb head and lacing and lasting throughout. A dry malty bitter first bite from its biscuit-flavoured and sweet malts derived from a blend of roasted grains. A hoppy fruitiness rising from its Kent Bullion hops lending its citrusy touch. A bitter note or two tickling my taste buds' ivories with subtle hints of fruitiness and smokiness. A dark fruitiness getting in on the session and gently drumming before its downwards finale. Very moreish and so came back for another a little later on.
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Not Tried
Long Man - Long Blonde3.80Not Tried
13 Dec 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
7th visit of the outing: From The Miners Arms in Dunton Green we walked to Dunton Green station, which took all of about 10 minutes, for the train running half-hourly to Sevenoaks and which takes it just 4 minutes. Then the walk up the hill, London Road, into Sevenoaks town centre meant we were beginning to grow hungry. We could not fit into the Wetherspoons for something to eat at about 6.15pm so did the other two pubs on our list next which brings us to this gem, believed to date from the early 20th century but which has its roots as a historic coaching inn on London Road with landlords listed from the 1850. Kent's archival website for public houses, dover-kent.com, suggests the pub first opened sometime between 1718 and 1722. Very much a wet-led pub as well since food is served just at lunchtimes according to the local CAMRA branch entry, adding that it is one of the last real traditional pubs in the area. The landlord, Barry, is reputed to be the longest serving and perhaps of all Sevenoaks’ pubs. The 76-year-old, who took over the Admiral Taverns-owned pub, in London Road, in 1979 had poured the record number of Carling pints by November 2012 according to the Sevenoaks Chronicle, and enough to fill five-and-a-half swimming pools. On this visit, the place was comfortably busy but able to accommodate us and with prompt friendly service from the barmaid. It was indeed full of locals exchanging friendly banter and mickey-taking and they were again, like in The Miners Arms, of a more mature age. Three real ales on including one from local brewery, Tonbridge, certainly did not disappoint as indeed neither did the quality of the one I supped. Besides live music performed on Wednesday evenings according to CAMRA’s listing, darts, poker and pool are played and there is a weekly meat raffle.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Tonbridge - Country Best4.00ExcellentThis East Peckham-brewed Kentish best bitter from north-east of Tonbridge came with a very healthy head and lacing and lasting superbly. A dry moreishly hoppy first hit. A fruited bitterness looming up aided by its Kentish Fuggles and Pilgrim hops lending it a mild spiciness with touches of herb and fruit flavourings. A pleasant hoppiness paddling out on its downwards journey with a splash of maltiness.
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Not Tried
Gun - Scaramanga Extra Pale Ale3.90Not Tried
24 Aug 2021 (Magnus Greel)
Early evening fairly quiet in this proper no frills yet comfortable drinkers pub. Relaxing and welcoming atmosphere with no loud idiots unlike the last pub.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Butcombe - Gold4.40ExcellentComplex buttery mellow yet tart ale
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 54.40Not Tried
Wantsum - Anchor Imperial Ale4.00Not Tried
25 Apr 2015 (oz11)
Evening.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Camerons - Strongarm4.00Good
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Not Tried
Sharp's - Doom Bar4.00Not Tried
13 Dec 2014 (oz11)
Evening.
BeerABVScoreNotes
St Austell - Jolly Holly4.30ExcellentGood dark beer with American Simcoe hops giving a piney character.
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Not Tried
Sharp's - Doom Bar4.00Not Tried
14 Dec 2013 (oz11)
Evening visit.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Turners - Best Bitter4.10Good
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Not Tried
Sharp's - Doom Bar4.00Not Tried
07 Nov 2013 (thebrewingman)
Thursday evening for a CAMRA social. Fairly busy with a ladies darts match going on.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Good
Jersey (now called Liberation) - Liberation Ale4.00GoodA golden ale that is rather bland.
Sharp's - Doom Bar4.00Not Tried
02 Aug 2013 (oz11)
Evening.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Good
Marston's - Ashes Ale4.10AcceptableNot to my taste, but in good nick.
Sharp's - Doom Bar4.00Not Tried
20 Apr 2013 (oz11)
Evening. Not too busy and we settled here.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Big Lamp - Bitter3.90Good
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Not Tried
Sharp's - Doom Bar4.00Not Tried
16 Mar 2013 (oz11)
Evening, busy with plenty of youngsters in, though most of them were not drinking the ales.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Navigation - Pale Ale3.90Good
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Not Tried
Sharp's - Doom Bar4.00Not Tried

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About The Anchor

Summary of Beer Scores

 Total
Exceptional-
Excellent5
Good14
Acceptable1
Poor-

Website.

The pub is found in Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 1AS.

A traditional and welcoming pub in Sevenoaks town centre in London Road.

We have visited this pub 16 times, seen 21 different beers and tried 15 of them.

Map location

Postcode: TN13 1AS