Tucked behind the main shopping street* and on the corner of a horrid, busy road is not where you expect to find a comforting pub.

And certainly from the outside the Somerset Arms did little to dispel my dread.

But it made a sufficient impression when I poked my head through the door that I decided to stay despite a lack of hot food.

When you’re in the middle of town like this pub, it’s not such a big deal that you can’t get dinner because there are always places around the corner but I would rather not have turned my lunch hour into a trawl for refreshments.

A lot of effort has seemingly gone into the interior of the Somerset.
There is a lot of exposed brick and dark wood with an atmospheric low ceiling and a gorgeous bar.

Supporting beams on twisted brick pillars are both ornate and affective at separating out a few little alcoves.

Empty beer bottles have been transformed into flower pots on tables which, despite how it sounds, was quite nice.

Old pictures, records and the odd instrument – mostly 50s and 60s rock and roll and classic Hollywood – fill the walls and while I was in there the music was largely in keeping too.

The result was it made the Somerset the kind of place where I felt like having a little boogie in my tucked-away corner.

While it looks and sounds nice inside, effort has clearly been made to keep the mood happy.

There are live music nights and games and quiz machines to keep regulars occupied.

No doubt a little pacification is necessary with only two underwhelming ales on tap alongside the regular mass-produced lagers.

A friendly local was happy to have a little natter as I waited for my drink and the pub clearly attracts a swathe of regulars – one of the bench seats was touchingly dedicated in memory of ‘Guinness John’.


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Somerset Arms, Darnley Road, Gravesend

How it rated:

Decor **** Fun inside

Atmosphere *** Vintage feel

Staff *** Efficient

Drink ** Limited

Price **** Not breaking the bank

*well spotted readers, it's not 'the' High Street, though New Road clearly looks like a 'high street'...