Just after the 5pm opening time, and I thought that the pub was closed, but fortunately I hears someone shout something like "push the door harder" and I got in. I noticed that Sophie the spaniel dog had won a couple of prizes in the Christmas raffle, I hope she enjoyed the biscuits.

Evening visit. A real survivor this street corner boozer by a pedestrian crossing on the old Folkestone Harbour railway line.

12:30 vist. Having spent the morning on the Leas looking at the gathering for the Grand [Hotel] Old Timers Classic Car Show, which was very well attended and blessed with excellant weather today, I strolled down here. Ahhh', bliss...to be sitting in my No.1 pub in Folkestone, a true gem in every sense. With just Richard, me, and the pub dog, it wasn't long before a good few others had the place buzzing nicely. The "homebrew special" Barley Wine was still available and so were most of the other festival ales for this 150th Anniversary weekend celebration. They dont get much better than this!

Evening visit on the way home from the East Kent Light Railway's Beer Festival, we popped in here because Richard was celebrating the pub's 150th anniversary with a festival of Kentish ales. The pub was busy, and had a really great atmosphere, we took the opportunity to sit in the left hand bar (which is not usually open) and enjoyed a couple of pints and a sausage from the barbecue outside.

20;30 visit. The pub was celebrating it's 150th Anniversary. This lovely old back street local is a Real Gem, in the truest sense. The best pub in Folkestone bar none i.m.o, with landlord Richard having spent virtually all his life here. Very interesting history was printed out for customers to peruse. When these pubs are gone, they're gone forever. There was also a "surprise" Anniversary Ale, a Barley Wine type, almost certainly pushing 9%, incredibly warming with all the right notes. This was brewed by a local chap and, as such, could not be "sold" over the bar. All customers just asked for a 1/2 pint sample and made a donation to the pubs chosen charity. Doesen't get better than this!

Typical back street boozer. Quiet Saturday lunchtime with a couple of locals and two walkers with their dogs sheltering from the rain and taking the chance of a decent pint.

A splendid atmosphere. Most enjoyable.

Early evening, and a good number of regulars in the pub. We chatted about beer and the Butchers Arms at Herne.

I had miss judged the time of the trains from Folkestone Central, so by the time I had got out of the Wetherspoons and cycled to the station, I had missed the train by 3 minutes and there wasn't another one for an hour. After a bit of thought (and picking myself up from the floor as my bike went a bit askew on the rubber floor covering in the station) I decided to visit this pub again as I hadn't been in ages. Early Friday evening and there were a handful of locals in. This is a real throwback to a proper unspoilt back street local pub with beer in great condition. Three handpumps, normally with 2 in service and the other one being cleaned. The landlord was very pleased with his CD purchases from Sainsbury, some for just a pound.

2 room working class local on a residential side street. Can get smokey. Decor is very basic, but the 1 or 2 beers are always served very well.