please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Best pub in Gillingham by a mile, fantastic range of ever changing real ales, cheap and cheerful food (the chilli can be lively), run by a proper Gills fan, away fans more than welcome... Old school jukebox, friendly inhabitants...
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Simply the best pub in Gillingham
20 consecutive entries in the GBG attest to this.
Ever changing range of quality real ales, pool, darts (doubles board on occations) and a jukebox with a good range - not just "pop".
visiting football fans welcomed warmly.
if carlsberg did pubs (and real ale) this would be one of them.
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The best pub in Gillingham for beer and conversation by a clear mile!
I have been drinking in Gillingham for years yet I am unable to name one pub that puts as much effort into selecting a variety of real good quality ales as this pub!
Every time I visit their is a new real ale to try and their is also a blackboard with new ales coming up!
Both the landlord and landlady are friendly and it's nice to sit down and hear a conversation or two about beer! (And learn something in the process)
This pub is a breath of fresh air in a sea of generic pubs...
Great jukebox , pooltable , darts board and most of all (IMO) great beer :)
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In on Saturday 20th April, FIVE superb quality ales on offer.
Well done Pete.
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Was in on 21/01/12, beer quality 100%. Hophead only lasted for two hours, but replaced with Blue Monkey PG sips......fantastic.
Three other ales also available.
Best pub in Gillingham by a long way!
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Not the best of 'ale' pubs one comes across. Thought it was a Chinese takeaway from outside and inside thought I was at a paintball registration point. Three ales on ranging in strength - tried the Empire Golden Warrior, whcih was nice enough. The takeaway/shop conversion theme definitely extended to the inadequate toilet facilities (real pubs were always built with proper facilities). If you're stuck in the centre of Gillingham it's probably your best bet.
anonymous - 12 Mar 2011 23:22 |
Rob,
Intimidating atmosphere? You sure you was in the right pub?
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Bit of an anticlimax after reading some of the glowing reviews on here before my visit - I would put this down as a very average backstreet boozer, with a question mark over the quality of the beer and a slightly intimidating atmosphere. Having said that, after walking around Gillingham's desolate town centre for a bit I can well believe it is the best pub in the area.
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Favourite pub in Gillingham and my pre-match pub of choice - really good selection of real ales in good nick, always a cheerful atmosphere and agreeably tatty. Perfect really
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Beer was ok, when I got in, but not really my palate, so as there was only two on offer, not over impressed. Decor very tired towards shabby. Tried the door at 7:15 - locked, so went round the corner to the Napier Arms. Overall, got the impression the landlord lost interest a while ago.
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i go to this pub 4 or 5 times a year (i live about 40 miles from it though) they always have a good selection of real ale and a warm welcome from Pete & julie (and sometimes simon who i think is mainly locked in the cellar). they sell a good selection of food on match days and if you like chilli you have to try it here. interior is decorated like a galleon in keeping with the will Adams theme. The juke Box is stocked with good music (not modern pop crap), but the best thing apart from the ale is the conversation as the well read pete is always up for a debate about a multitude of subjects.
it's not just a run of the mill back street pub full of yobs like so many are these days.
i particularly recommend new years eve here.
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quality pub. One of the only pubs in Gillingham that serves real cider. Also a nice friendly atmosphere!
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Popped in on Saturday 7th August, and was greeted by Oakleaf IPA, Wold Top bitter and one other which I cannot remember. Quality of ale superb as usual!
Easily best pub in Gillingham, why is it not packed every day?
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Wanted to visit the pub on a Saturday but they seem to have country pubhours...
Weekends open from 12.00 till 15.00 and open again from 19.00-23.00...
In weekdays only open after 19.00hrs till 22.30hrs...
Well its going to for the next time I visit Gillingham.
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Decent back street pub. Four ales including Summer Lightning, Adnams Lighthouse, Houston Blonde Bombshell and Dorset Ammonite. Friendly pub, chatted to the Gills fans. Certainly worth considering for away fans.
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Have frequented the Will Adams for over 20 years and have never had a bad pint. Pete and Julie take great pride in ensuring their ales are in tip-top condition and Pete's knowledge and love of beer ensures satisfied discerning customers. The pub ambience is further enhanced by friendly regulars of all ages and lifestyles who make newcomers feel welcome.
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Formerly The Anglo Saxon � as is shown etched on the window by the Saloon Bar entrance � The Will Adams is a Gillingham hostelry with a reputation for serving well-conditioned ales in a secure and friendly atmosphere. Being a local resident and someone always eager to try new haunts, I looked forward to my most recent of evening visits. The first signs are not entirely positive, with a not-too-inviting, fa�ade and within, the interior is tired, dated, run-down and in serious need of sprucing up. The walls are painted to depict a kind of old wooden house, but the effect unfortunately comes off as rather amateurish and almost child-like. It all seems rather tacky. To the right of the bar area is a large mural depicting the seafaring adventures of the pubs namesake. Further on is a darts board � pleasingly in use � and a small mounted television � showing the football during my stay. Although not busy, the clientele within seemed a well behaved friendly group and evidently enjoyed engaging in banter with the Chris Moyle�s look-a-like landlord. Five hand-pumps are on display at the bar, though only two were in use: Hop Backs Summer Lightning and Meantime London Pale Ale. The former was served in very good condition and shows that the CAMRA recognition is deserving � local pub-of-the-year 2006. It was also pleasing to note copies of the local branches magazine by the bar � Medway Beer Belly. To conclude: despite the praise received on the beer front, this reviewer personally found the surroundings a little too uncomfortable and cold, for here to ever become a regular stop-off. If they could make the interior more homely and address the slightly hollow atmosphere, then The Will Adams could justifiably be considered a pub of genuine merit.
HTM69 - 18 Sep 2009 16:48 |
Found myself in Gillingham yesterday. Found the Will Adams after rejecting five others on basis of no or very little real ale and/or the general state of the places. What a cracking pub ! Three beers, Summer lightning, one from Burton Bridge brewery and LBW fom Greene King. Quality excellent. This is what pubs used to be like when I first took up drinking in the sixties. Highly recommended.
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This smallish corner pub just off the main drag is certainly one of the better options in Gillingham. Named after the locally born explorer and adventurer, the centerpiece of the pub interior is a massive mural that covers all the walls and tramsforms the visitor to the deck of an old sailing ship moored off a rugged olde worlde coastline (spot the current pub, looking a bit lost among the 16th century mariners on the shoreline!). If this were a Cornish harbour town you would probably dismiss it as a touristy gimmick but for Gillingham town centre, one can accept is as being a bit of a pleasant surprise. A good selection of beer (probably the best in Gillingham given that there is no Wetherspoons in town) with 5 hand pumps albeit 2 were not in use on my visit (Summer Lightning, Landlord and Harveys were all available) supplemented by a selection of ciders and perrys in boxes behind the bar. Beneath the nautical gimmicks lies a down to earth locals pub with darts, pool, jukebox, fruit machines and all the characteristics you would expect but without the menacing or intimidating atmosphere that can be an issue with other nearby pubs (my visit was prior to a Gills match and whilst police were monitoring every pub in the Town Centre for trouble, the Will Adams was pleasantly off limits to any potential hassle. Some of the seating is a bit awkward, especially in the pool area where the absence of any tables means there is nowhere to place your drinks. Whilst they do have Setanta as well as Sky, the only TV I saw was fairly basic and not conducive to comfortable viewing. Other than that, a decent enough place to visit and whilst I have barely scratched the surface of Gillingham pubs, I would hazard a guess that this is probably as good as you will find in town.
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Morrissey Fox Blonde, Salopian Oracle, TT Landlord, Harveys Bitter and Hopback Summer Lightning all on top form here after the match on Saturday night. A group of half a dozen us were made very welcome by the landlord and regulars. Great jukebox and interesting 'Manchester Log End' style dart boards.
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Castle Rock Hemlock, Sharps IPA, Summer Lightning; tried first two & both in excellent condition. Friendly welcome from big Gills-shirted guvnor who asked if we were down for the game (nope, northern accent but not Accrington). Narrowish pub with bar, barstools, & table seating as you enter, dartboard at far end, pool table between. A portrait of the eponymous Will Adams hangs behind the bar and a mural depicting his adventurer/seafaring exploits decorates the centre wall (partly hidden by St George flag). Otherwise the d�cor is made of dodgy plastic panels in the style of mock wild-west wood fencing(?), but don�t let that put you off, this is a proper friendly drinking venue. Two Westons ciders were available in boxes on the bar, food was hot-dogs, burgers, chilli, eg cheeseburger & chips �3.
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A little gem in a surprising location. Very friendly staff, interesting range of beers, lunchtime food (mainly various options with beans & chips; and several different ways of serving chili!). Despite its out of the way location it can get crowded.
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Back street pub near the High Street that changed its name from the Anglo Saxon 13 years ago when the new landlord arrived. Place is painted to look like the inside of a wooden house. Rather odd, and sort of dated, but adds interest. The pub is long and narrow, but decently kept, and quite comfortable. There's a pool table. Place is open weekends and evenings. The main interest here is the beer. Summer Lightning is a regular. And there are usually two, sometimes three, guests on offer. Nice.
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Thoroughly enjoyed my first visit (especially the cider) and it won't be my last.
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Have been going to this pub for about 12 years now and I also used to play darts for the Will Adams,everytime we go always get a warm welcome even if we havent been for a few weeks, Pete & Julie are always chatting to everybody,have a nice crowd of people that come in aswell,
Agree with aprice makes women feel very safe in this pub,as everybody is so friendly.You feel relaxed which is another good sign,definately worth popping in.
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Totally agree that landlords Pete and Julie are very welcoming. Everybody is included in the conversation, and the beer is always excellent. This is one of very few pubs locally that women can feel safe in should they go in unescorted.
Best kept real ale in Medway. Best conversations over a pint, and to find out what's going on locally. 10/10 for the 9 o'clock crowd, the beer and the ambience. When it's matchday and the Gills are at home the place is heaving as Julie serves up fine fayre for visiting footie fans.
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Landlords Pete and Julie have had the pub just over 10 years and it is their friendliness, and that of the punters, that gives the pub it's atmosphere. It's a small and basic pub i.e. no frills, but it's a good place to talk, the beer is good (always decent ale), pool, darts and other pub teams. The age range is mixed, best thing is it's not a poser's pub! Also known as a pub for Gills fans - ask Pete for his latest take on the state of the Gillingham FC team.
Mike Phillips - 16 Nov 2004 11:00 |
