Rochester – Coopers Arms

This was the nearest pub to Rochester Cathedral that I could see was listed in the Good Beer Guide and it is thought that monks who brewed beer once lived here. There are also records that there has been an inn here since at least 1543, making it one of the oldest pubs in Kent.

The beer selection, of which nothing particularly excited me, but my half pint of Thwaite’s Wainwright tasted fine and was well kept. I say tasted fine, but it’s a slightly drab beer with little discernible flavour, perhaps some caramel overtones.

The interior, perhaps a little dated, but that’s hardly inappropriate in a pub of this age. The service was fine, all friendly and efficient. The set-up here rather reminded me of the Adam & Eve in Norwich.

Nice way to raise money for charity at the bar. Incidentally, the pub doesn’t allow children other than in the garden, but they do make that clear through signage. I didn’t order food, but the lunch-time selections looked good value for money and seemed popular with locals.