Went to the Rock today for the first time in many years, this was the first pub I went to as a youngster with my parents many years ago, and one I have always rated as one of the best. Great food and fast friendly service today as always.

I really hope it does not become yet another indian food takeaway, as this would completely ruin the place in my opinion.What a charming tiny little pub, a real find. Lovely original tiled floor (at a bit of an angle though so watch it after a few drinks) and a roaring fire.
A proper real ale pub selling the local Larkins bitters and a pretty strong porter. The staff were friendly and the locals are a colourful bunch. Plus if your staying for food, the Hungarian chef has to commended on his belly of pork, it was delicious. Lovely traditional English pub with great food, great Larkins beer and a warm atmosphere. No Gastro rubbish here, a simple menu with great choice and even better taste. Child, dog and evidently horse friendly. Beams, fires, gorgeous original brick floor and a strange beast with a hook in its nose?! Should be kept a secret really!

The ales in the Bull are definitely getting better. With Paul Herbert's ales from Kent Brewery and Dark Star things are looking up. Last week i even got a personal lesson in Cribbage with friends, some good food and a selection of 6 ales. Given that Sussanah has to work on a budget from the owner, one cannot compare this to to the past. all things considered, where can you get anything like the range (and quality) of ales in the Bull anywhere else? As has been already said. Its in every real ale drinkers interest to support this pub and keep it 'Real'. Back in the area for a short while and decided to check on what is going on at The Bull. Sussannah is trying hard but it is just a poor regurgitation of what Lynne and Garrett did - and did so much betterthan you have. It would be nice to see the Bull moving forward - but at the moment it is unfortunately a poor imitation of what went before. Sussanna - don't copy Lynne and Garrett - you cant - make your own mark. Curry nights, quiz nights - they did it so much better - think of your own ideas and you may be better respected.Lat called by in April and decided to let the place settle down under the new regime. Called in today and was delighted to find the beer festival was starting at lunchtime. A truly SUPERB range/choice of beers. Marble, Thornbridge, Hopdeamon, Oakham and of course Dark Star. Still a bit chaotic and the food is nothing to get excited about, but where else could you find thyat beer range and knowledge. Good to see a strong supporting crowd in the pub. OK its not as slick as when Garret and Lynne ran the place but Susanna is a lovely person and its a very welcoming pub. No whingeing please, just support the place 'cos its in our own interests to do so!

Had another fine few pints of Harveys last night, was busy and a great atmosphere.

I doubt that the gracious response from the new landlady will be responded to with the same graciousness by PissFlaps. There seems to be an OCD from her with regards to toilets its functions in both user name and on all posts. It would be a great irony if PissFlaps were to open the new toilets but it will remain to be seen if the Bethlem will authorise release for such an event. lets see. Hi
I am the new Landlady of The Swan and would just like to add a comment concerning the state of our toilets. When we took over in June this year yes the toilets were very bad and I would agree with pissflaps the smell was awful. It took me a good 5 hours to clean them. Still the smell would not go altogther so we sort a drain company. There was a problem and we had it fixed. The toilets are still not up to standard when it comes to decore but they are cleaned everyday. Hopefully they will be refurbished by the end of Jan 2012.

Pissflaps I don't know what we have done to upset you so much but our toilets are not as bad as you say. You and your husband would be very welcome here. When the toilets are done I am thinking of having a toilet opening ceremony, it would be great if you were our guest of honor, as if we could please you we could please anyone. Lisa'form peole'

'a coupkle'

Are these new cocktails or have you just been near the toilets and the stench has riddled your (one) brain cell?

After being away from the area for a couple of years decided to call back into the Padwell arms as i had heard it had new owners and what pleasant surprise,
the bar staff greeted me with a nice welcome and a smile. The decor looks brighter and cleaner than the last time i called in some two years ago. the new menu looked
very nice and the food i saw coming out of the kitchen looked and smelt very good indeed will be bringing my friends back to have a meal.
Had a couple of pints of bitter which tasted and looked very good also have lots of new guest beers on a regular basis, the new owners certainly seem to know what they are doing both food and beers in good order and you cannot say that about some pubs in the area.


Why is the phrase "an axe to grind" so prevalent on this website? Are there any other worn out phrases from 1971 that I should know about in order to fit in guys? Christ, I already swig copious amounts of flowery 'real' ale to suit my rather narrow-minded palate and bleat on ad nauesum about it to any other bearded old sap who'll listen. I have that box ticked.. Any more?dear oh dear
i have stirred a hornets nest havent i .
as i said before these forums are for honest opinions not advertising under an alias you are fooling no one

Whitstable is not big enough to support two Whetherspoons.

Where would the second open?

Come on bright sparks, where?

The Parish Hall? Budgens? The public toilets around the back of the Ship Centurion? My auntie Doreen's front room?

I know you've been put up by Whetherspoons wealdman, but get real old boy!I've worked it out....

Whetherspoons have got their PR people on the case.

You've all been rumbled...mandraker, tempest, wealdman.JDW spent c£1.5m on this fine pub which is well over their normal budget. Aptly called after one of the town's most famous residents, the pub is a gem and compares well with JDW's Opera House in Tunbrige Wells (which still has operas!)

The PC was a cinema and bingo hall and provides visitors with a unique atmosphere reflecting the building's previous uses in another era - and the history of the place is depicted on the walls, and that of Whitstable itself.

Being a listed building made JDW'a work more difficult - as did the asbestos found.

Staff are friendly and the service is excellent. Food and beers are the JDW norm; the ambience is the prime feature, as well as the very high fitting out standards - evidenced, for instance, by the toilets which are probably the best (and cleanest) in Kent!

So pleased are JDW with their creation that they now seek another unit in the town.

A fantastic pub with a relaxing atmosphere. I love going to this place and unwind after a stressful week. The staff are friendly and the food is excellent. I haven't had the pleasure of stew night yet bit I have heard it's amazing.

I was surprised to read camraman1's comments on here. He clearly has not got a clue about what makes a decent pub. The Camra society should be very worried about a person using their name in such a way as it does not reflect them in a good light.

I'm looking forward to my next visit to the phoenix this weekend. Hope to see you all there :-) Love the Phoenix. Great atmosphere, fabulous fires and great stew nights.
Hate the fact that anyone would run it down.
Always feel welcome and no where else I would rather be than in front of that fire on a Sunday lunch time.
Camraman1 sounds like a grumpy old git and if he doesn't like it then he shouldn't come back; to be fair he is not welcome.
Just a shame we don't get to publicly hang him... It was for charity after all. The Phoenix is an excellent pub which caters for a wide section of the local community (and those from further afield) and has a loyal following. The drinks selection is good and includes 4 excellent real ales; Harvey's is a permanent fixture and the other 3 pumps are regularly changing. A number of imaginative themed nights and activities such as quizzes and story telling evenings are run with local charities often benefiting from fund raising ideas.
The food is also excellent and the pub has a welcoming, informal and relaxing atmosphere.
The pub has been voted The Best Newcomer in the SE of England 2010 and fully deserves the accolade.