Faversham revisited - Pt. 2

Next up was the Anchor, a pub that wasn’t on my original list, but I’m pleased now that I took a punt on this lengthy oak-beamed building that is over 300 years old. Situated close to the quayside and boat moorings at Faversham Creek, I’m fairly certain that I hadn’t visited this nautical themed establishment before on previous visits to Faversham. From the outside, the pub looks like three different buildings joined into one, and I suppose it may well have
been, at one stage during the past. Internally, there are many original features, including a number of open fireplaces, along with a wealth of nautical memorabilia.

I ended up in the right-hand bar, where there was a lively group of local drinkers, sitting at the bar and catching up on the local gossip – people they’d seen recently. The group ignored me, as I sat at the far end of the bar, nursing my pint of Master Brew, and here follows an interesting observation. In the three Shep’s pubs that I visited that day, I didn’t spot a single pump offering Spitfire – the beer that at one time was probably the brewery’s best-selling cask ale, and certainly the most heavily promoted. 

Two of the pubs were offering the seasonal Late Red on hand-pump, but apart from that it was Master Brew all
the way. Departing from the Anchor, I headed back into town, passing on the way the attractive-looking Phoenix Tavern. This is a Faversham pub that I might have been in before, although I couldn’t be sure. One thing I did notice was the large sign outside, looking for new licensees willing to take a chance on running the pub.  Good luck to anyone brave enough to try, especially in today’s climate, but a publican’s life is not the one for me.

I continued my journey into the town centre, with the aim of visiting two further pubs before my train home. The first of these was going to be the Railway, a pub mentioned right at the start of this piece, but I ended up being distracted by the Creeker's Tap, a conversion from a former glazing shop that that opened as a pub in late 2016. This relative newcomer started life as the Corner Tap, before adopting its present name during Covid.

The Tap was refurbished in October last year, and in its present guise consists of two rooms with some solid and comfortable furniture, plus a lounge type area with a Chesterfield and armchairs in the room at the rear. The pub is also air-conditioned, a feature that would have been a major attraction two or three months ago. The Tap features 17 keg taps, from a row on the back wall, plus a couple of cask ales.

The main attraction for me was the availability of Tegernsee Spezial, an import from southern Bavaria, and a beer I have enjoyed on a couple of occasions at the, down to earth, brewery tap, overlooking the shores of Lake Tegernsee, to the south of Munich. This idyllic scene, set against the background of the Bavarian Alps, is one of the best places I know to enjoy Tegernsee beer, in a location that has monastic origins. Also, coming after the rather bland Master Brew that I’d been chugging all day, this alpine brew was far and away the best beer of the day.

It was time for one final beer, plus one last pub, and where better to finish at than the Elephant - a long time CAMRA favourite, situated at the back of Faversham railway station. This two-roomed traditional, no-frills pub, with a function room at the back, provides a warm welcome to locals and visitors alike.  I’d obviously picked a quiet time as apart from the friendly girl behind the bar, there was just me plus one other customer. Both of these people were welcoming and chatty, and this is a feature that the Elephant has always endeavoured to encourage.

The establishment was local CAMRA Branch Pub of the Year in 2023 and again in 2026. There is a fine hanging pub sign, at the front of the pub that has been restored to its rightful place after many years of exposure to the elements.  The sign features the famous Elephant, that for many years was the trademark of the former Fremlin’s Brewery. The pub’s landlord is a former member of the “Senior Service” and prides himself on serving a range of cask ales that occasionally includes a beer that has been allowed to mature in the cellar.

The pub has received numerous CAMRA awards consistently over the years. The only cloud on the horizon is that the landlord is looking to retire but has had difficulty in attracting the “right” buyer. This means a person who will keep the pub much as it is today, and without changing too much. Fingers crossed he can attract the right buyer. 

Ribersborg Stout from Shivering Sands Brewery, was my final pint of the day, and was a good one to end my exploration of, what turned out to be, just a few of Faversham’s many pubs. If you appreciate unspoilt pubs as much as I do, and are not too fussed about drinking Shepherd Neame beer, then this pleasant north Kent town is well worth a day trip, or perhaps even a longer stay.