THE NEPTUNES HALL, BROADSTAIRS

The Neptune's Hall is in Harbour Street, a couple of minutes walk from the seafront. It was built in the early 19th century and retains many of the original features.

During the Napoleonic Wars, a man was murdered in Broadstairs and the murderer in his evidence said that he had been drinking in the Neptune. Whether this was in mitigation (due to the strength of the ale) is not known.

A quiet place to sample some of Shepherd Neame's prize-winning ales and lagers after a hot day on the beach.

A non-smoking restaurant. Bar food is also available, and there's a pleasant garden. Local attractions include Bleak House, Dickens House Museum, Crompton Museum, Waterloo Museum and the North Foreland Golf Club.

Each year there is a week-long folk festival held in Broadstairs, which is now sponsored by Shepherd Neame. The festival is one of the largest of its type in the country, much of which starts and ends at "The Nep".

There's also a Dickens Festival which sees a cavalcade of costumed characters wandering into the pub for a pint.