The Old Gate Inn
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Quick info
About The Old Gate Inn
The Old Gate Inn is a pub at 162-164 New Dover Rd in Canterbury, beside the park and ride. The building dates to 1728, when it began as the Sign of the Gate next to a toll road before becoming a coaching house for travellers. Today it offers overnight rooms with a cooked breakfast included in the room rate. The kitchen turns out seasonal pub classics, and cask ales are served at the bar. Dessert includes a chocolate orange pudding with sorbet, popping candy and an edible orange chocolate shell. The pub is open daily, and the inside has plenty of seating, with walk-ins taken and no reservation needed.
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention chocolate orange pudding, overnight room stay, cooked breakfast and park and ride location.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention chocolate orange pudding, overnight room stay, cooked breakfast and park and ride location.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often single out the friendly, accommodating staff, who several say went out of their way, from letting an overnight guest check in hours early to accommodating one diner's strict diet. Food comes second, described as tasty, hot and plentiful, with a chocolate orange pudding of sorbet, popping candy and an edible orange chocolate shell named as particularly special. A few mention a cooked breakfast included with a room, a Sunday lunch and a chicken burger with fries. Overnight guests describe a quiet, clean, comfortable room and a firm bed, and note the pub sits next to the park and ride. Others mention a vintage, cosy interior, a generous outdoor seating area and a welcome for dogs. The recurring complaint is cost: one reviewer found a plain chicken burger with fries overpriced, another called it a bit pricey, and one warns of a longer than average wait for food. One diner, on a quiet bank holiday weekend, still found staff very attentive and the Sunday lunch very enjoyable.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often single out the friendly, accommodating staff, who several say went out of their way, from letting an overnight guest check in hours early to accommodating one diner's strict diet. Food comes second, described as tasty, hot and plentiful, with a chocolate orange pudding of sorbet, popping candy and an edible orange chocolate shell named as particularly special. A few mention a cooked breakfast included with a room, a Sunday lunch and a chicken burger with fries. Overnight guests describe a quiet, clean, comfortable room and a firm bed, and note the pub sits next to the park and ride. Others mention a vintage, cosy interior, a generous outdoor seating area and a welcome for dogs. The recurring complaint is cost: one reviewer found a plain chicken burger with fries overpriced, another called it a bit pricey, and one warns of a longer than average wait for food. One diner, on a quiet bank holiday weekend, still found staff very attentive and the Sunday lunch very enjoyable.
Featured reviews
- Offgridblondie
“Shane & Isla were great, really good and attentive service. Feel like the food was overpriced for what it was - a plain chicken burger with fries was £18 but very convenient if you’re near/staying at the new Dover park and ride.”
- Nicola Alsop
“Dropped in for a bite to eat expecting standard pub menu. So pleasantly surprised by the choice of food and wine list. Food came out well presentented and very tasty. The inside decor very vintage, cosy and welcoming. Very dog friendly too. Highly recommend. Also download the Vintage Inn app and get further discounts.”
- Lindsey Brown
“Food always 1st rate. I am a regular visitor so have tried most of the menu over 20 years. Food always hot & tasty. The staff are always friendly & attentive. Olivia went above & beyond to make our visit a pleasant 1.”
- John Duncan
“Called in here on way home from Canterbury. Warm friendly welcome from staff.. my wife and I had lunch and the food was delicious. As it was a warm sunny day we ate outside at the generous seating area ,but had the option to eat inside where there is plenty of seating, we didn't have to make a reservation .perfect place even for just a drink outside on those warm summer evenings.All the staff were friendly courteous and helpful. Will certainly go back there again. Thoroughly recommend it. There was plenty of free parking you just entered your car registration on entering.”
- Sandra Argent
“My husband and I stayed overnight as we were attending a wedding reception at a near by venue. As such we needed to be checked in and have the key to our room several hours before the 3 pm check in PLUS, know how to gain entry to the building later as we would be returning after the 11pm closing time. On both counts the staff could not have been more helpful and accommodating which meant we could relax and look forward to our day. We received a friendly welcome at check in, assigned our room and given the key. As housekeeping had already cleaned and made up the room, we were shown to it so we could leave our overnight bags safely. Along the way shown which door to use to re enter the building later and how to access entry. Our room was located in a quiet area of the building and was clean, cosy and comfortable. Soft white towels in the bathroom and a great shower. We slept very well. Included in our room rate was cooked breakfast which we both enjoyed. Top marks to everyone that made our overnight stay such a pleasure. Thank you so much👏👏We have absolutely no hesitation in recommending the Old Gate Inn should you be visiting the area.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Good to know
“The Old Gate Inn in Canterbury dates back to 1728 and began life as the Sign of the Gate beside a busy toll road. Later becoming a coaching house for travellers, it remains rich in character and ideal for seasonal pub classics and cask ales. Discover the menu.”
- AccessibilityWheelchair-accessible car park · Wheelchair-accessible entrance · Wheelchair-accessible seating
Amenities
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
Show more amenities
- Accessibility· 3
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Location
Bars near The Old Gate Inn
- The Dolphin4.41,3321.7 mi£20–30Reservations
pigs in blankets, large beer garden, gammon steak
- Ye Olde Beverlie4.36122.3 mi
private party room, roaring fire, sharing plates
- Chestfield Barn4.41,1356.4 mi away£20–30ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
sunday roast lunch, garden with fish feeding, open fire and sofas
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Old Gate Inn | 4.31,622 | — | — | chocolate orange pudding, overnight room stay, cooked breakfast |
| The DolphinReservations | 4.41,332 | 1.7 mi | £20–30 | pigs in blankets, large beer garden, gammon steak |
| Ye Olde Beverlie | 4.3612 | 2.3 mi | — | private party room, roaring fire, sharing plates |
| Chestfield BarnReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.41,135 | 6.4 mi away | £20–30 | sunday roast lunch, garden with fish feeding, open fire and sofas |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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