1st visit of the outing: Not that busy for my early afternoon arrival. Served promptly by the smiley barmaid and the usual selection of 4 cask ales on to choose from. Joined by some other real ale enthusiasts on a CAMRA outing and who had walked both to and from the Iron Pier Brewery taproom some 30 minutes out of the centre of Gravesend. Consequently, they had built up a suitable thirst. Meanwhile I did a hearty breakfast in my favourite café in the town centre followed by part of the riverside walk before cutting back inland. We could not but marvel at the pub's brewing history. Opposite the entrance to the Jolly Drayman in Wellington Street are the old Wellington Brewery offices, evident by looking up to roof height and making out the wording, Wellington Brewery, carved into the stonework above the surviving building's first floor. There are rumours of tunnels under the pub to the old brewery buildings opposite. In the late 19th century a Mr J. Keddell Junior ran a brewery on the site of the Jolly Drayman. By 1854 Mr Alexander Walker took over the brewery and by 1888 the pub was known as the Brewery Tap. Then in 1893 it was the turn of Walker and Sons who brewed under the name of Wellington Brewery. Charringtons took over in 1905 and brewing took place on the site until a fire at a nearby timber yard in 1928. The old brewery buildings were demolished in 1936 but the pub itself lives on and was until relatively recently entered from the footpath, Love Lane, which is now to the rear of the pub.

Busy footfall for my late afternoon visit to this old backstreet pub with some very low ceilings. Prompt friendly service and a welcome watering hole before the torrential downpour for some 15 minutes.

Busy footfall for mid-afternoon for this wet-pub only and many in following the rugby on the small tv screens dotted about. Four real ales on to choose from with a Kent ale to start with. Attentive friendly barmaid soon served me and a seat at a table soon to be found. Beware the low ceiling beams between the various open-plan rooms in the back part of the pub!

Busy footfall for my mid-afternoon visit. Usual friendly and attentive service.

Busy footfall for my mid-afternoon visit. Friendly, prompt service as always.

Busy footfall for my mid-afternoon visit and not a diner amongst them. According to CAMRA's WhatPub and their latest entry 11 months ago, the kitchen was closed for refurbishment works. Seems to be doing well as just a wet-led pub currently. Fast, attentive service.

Very busy footfall for mid-afternoon. Very much a wet pub as not a diner in sight and increasingly unusual in this day and age. Managed to share a table with others and warm, friendly service for my two halves sampled.

Much busier than week before for mid-afternoon and with everyone drinking instead of dining. Warm, friendly service and very prompt given how busy. Sat on one of few available seats behind a woman sporting a reindeer's antlers on her head.

Only my second visit to this fine old Gravesend pub on the site of the former Walker's Wellington Brewery. Very low ceilings and so beware anyone slightly on the tall-side! Not overly busy footfall for early afternoon and caught up with the others on the crawl after a cooked breakfast in a local café. Prompt, friendly service for my half.

Been recommended to this one by a regular in the River Ale House in East Greenwich. Many a time walked past it on my visits to Gravesend but this marked my first visit to it. I was not disappointed. This marked my second visit of the day. Warm welcome and prompt service and a very spacious old pub with lots of snugs. A table was found despite a good few in also for the rugby.