Artichoke, Canterburyback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Just to clarify....BouncersDream refers to one of the worst programmes ever broadcast on British Telly: an episode of Neighbours about 20 yrs ago about the dream of Bouncer. Bouncer was a dog.
All the good names were already taken.
I live in Chartham; this IS my village as much as last person to post.
I am truly nostalgic for decent, comfortable old pubs (not the Ritz! Not a Wetherspoons!). If the place cannot fit more than one decent sofa, then perhaps the landlord should think about this before spreading out on it? No doubt he's as lovely as you suggest; but a little customer service might get a few more bums on seats (however hard or soft they are!)
The last person to post refers to the fact that 'there should be more people eating in it'. You're right: there should. In a village of this size, with people who could spend money here, it's a real shame that in order to get a decent drink/meal you have to get in a car and go somewhere else. Clearly, I'm not the only local who thinks it's rubbish: if I was, the place would be full, not always empty.
Sorry, but people clearly vote with their feet.
Thank you for your comment, KingJangles. Actually, I would appreciate a little 'care in the community'. Unfortunately, not much care goes into this pub. And not many people, either.
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I have been to the Artichoke a few times over the years and ever since the new owners have taken over i have noticed a vast improvement in the hospitality, clenliness, and layout of the pub.
i have a few queries with what bouncers dream has said about the pub.
if there were any more sofas in the pub there would not be enough space to comfortably seat anumore tables. I think it is a ood idea to have this sofa however the pub would look like a joke if it was strewn with sofas like a badly thought out wetherspoons as Bouncers dream suggests. As for the "hard chairs" i didnt think i would ever hear such a poor complaint. im sure if you were to ask the staff they would be happy to supply you with the infant's chairs that they have for the under 3's. i have eaten there a few times since the new owners and i have to say i have absolutely no complaints. I even feel as though the food was too good for pub in the sense that there should be more people eating it!!!!. i feel sad that the pub does not see as much custom as it should do probably due to its previous owners or purely just its location. And i wish it to increase for their sake. i sat talking to the owners especially the poker playing landlord who was extremely friendly and made me and my wife feel at home and welcome as soon as we arrived. i could not wish for much more from a small, village pub who is being robbed from both ends by shepherd neame. I will definately be visiting again, unlike BouncersDream who may prefer the Ritz in his/her village. Even tho you are entitled to your own opinion
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The Artichoke has a care in the community policy. they even let sad people called BouncerDream who lead a very sad life.
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Depressing pub. Beautiful building from the outside, in a very pretty village.
Inside dingy: only v. small area for drinking, the rest of the pub is dining tables, but noone was eating when we were there. Not surprising, having peered into the small, grubby looking kitchen.
Only one sofa in bar area, on which the landlord sat spread out with his laptop playing poker! Our party sat on hard wooden chairs, downing tepid beer as quickly as we could! Won't be back here - ever. Will try the other pub at the far end of the village - the George - has to be better. Couldn't be worse.
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Found this nice little pub whilst staying in a local B&B. Lovely old building full of character. Staff and locals were friendly. We had dinner and the food was very good.
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My wife and I spend a week in Canterbury every August and the walk to this pub is one of the highlights of the holiday. Roll on next month...
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This is a good pub, really don't see how two people before me rated it so poorly. Friendly landlord happy to have a chat. Nice bunch of friendly locals. Unfortunately this is a Shepherd Neame, but as Shep's go the beer here was served really well. There was Master Brew and Late Red on on my visit.
I give this a 7/10.
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