The Eight Bells in Canterbury

When I make my annual visit to Canterbury the Eight Bells is a must. On Sunday afternoon, I enjoyed one of Landlady Kim's Sunday Roasts and that kept me going for the day. On Tuesday evening I returned for some drinks and the pub was as busy as ever with Kent's greatest Ladies Darts team in action When you are in Canterbury, the Eight Bells is a must with great, staff, drinks and food in a traditional pub, you couldn't find better!

Extremely rude landlady. Very unwelcoming. Ordered a vodka and Diet Coke was served Diet Coke out of a warm supermarket bottle with no ice. Extremely awful pub. Will not be returning.

This is a lovely small friendly local pub, with great beer. I recommend to people who live REAL pubs, you won't be disappointed, but it's worth checking the opening hours.

Had to check that this really was the place that people are praising so highly. From the moment we walked in to the moment we left we felt distinctly uncomfortable as if we'd walked into somebody's front room. Only made a "poor" because my pint of Harvey's was in good order. My advice is to walk on by and pop into The Monument at the end of the road where you will experience an altogether more pleasant welcome from staff and regulars alike.

We stopped here looking for a few drinks recently with friends as the weather was nice and we’d seen mentions of a beer garden. As soon as we stepped inside, the room fell silent and we were stared at (hard!) by approx 8 regulars and an unfriendly looking bar person with bare feet. We made an uncomfortable beeline for the beer garden (to get away from the overpowering stale smell of cigarette smoke inside) and found a small, poorly maintained outside area decorated with tasteless tat, flat cushions and a dirty, ring stained table. Feeling too uncomfortable to leave straight away, we ordered soft drinks (they only had cans of coke, nothing available on draught) and sat awkwardly biding our time. We left after about 15 minutes, as the regulars started coming out to the beer garden to smoke cigarettes about a foot from the open door - no wonder the smell inside was so strong! Overall a really unwelcoming, dirty and dingy pub that’s definitely a place reserved solely for regulars…tourists/visitors/potential new punters beware!! The Monument (about 5 mins walk away) is infinitely better!!

The Eight Bells wasn't currently doing food when we visited at the beginning of December 2021. It's a lovely no-frills traditional local pub with a very welcoming landlady and locals. We spent a couple of evenings there and popped in one afternoon on our way back to our weekend accommodation which was just 80 steps away. Perfect!

I get back to where I grow up and this pub is still a locals pub even if you've been away forever! Warm, welcoming staff, good ale, good atmosphere. Not tried the Sunday roast but looks good.

Around about this time last year, I posted a review for the Eight Bells, Well, I'm glad to say that I've recently been back and its as good as ever. It's primarily a traditional, neighborhood pub of which there are fewer and fewer in Canterbury. Landlady Kim and staff give all a warm welcome and the drinks are good too. On the weekends it can be really busy, so its a good idea to try the weekdays too. The customers are mostly local people and friendly too. Food is a traditional Sunday roast that is highly regarded. Like many pubs it suffered under the lockdown, so go along and visit it. It remains my favorite pub in Canterbury. You won't regret giving it a try.

Whenever I'm able to visit Canterbury, from my home in Scotland, The Eight Bells is a must. Located near the historic St Dunstan's Church it is slightly off the tourist track which means that it has not turned into another overpriced touristy pub. Run by its friendly Landlady Kim, its a welcoming place with an interesting range of customers. One of these, a local builder was a mine of information about the area and a real character! Visit The Eight Bells, you couldn't do better.

Traditional community pub with a lovely atmosphere. Well kept ale. Garden at rear. Friendly efficient bar staff. It was well worth walking up the road from the West Gate!

I spent a couple of hours here while the family were seeing a show at the Marlowe. It is a good honest boozer, with decent locals and a freindly landlady. No poncy grub, a decent selection of beers and just what a back street pub should be. A good atmosphere, selection of newspapers. Clean and well kept.

Came here for a Sunday roast and I must say it was delicious! The warm and friendly atmosphere in the pub makes you feel like you are among friends. I will definitely be returning again for one of your gorgeous Sunday roasts! Thank you for the warm welcome.

If you want a great homemade Sunday roast visit the Eight Bells, portions are large, it arrives piping hot and great value for money. We have had several and look forward to returning. Great friendly atmosphere, cosy pub, service always with a smile. We would highly recommend a visit if you want great food and drinks. Buck & Sandra

Small little pub with a good atmosphere! It also has a nice outside area which is so perfect in summer! The one downside (which makes this a 4 stars and not 5 stars) is that it's a bit chilly in the outside area in winter!

The 5.99 big breakfast was served quickly and met our needs. Bacon and eggs were done just right and the portions more than sufficient. Wouldn't write home about it, wouldn't complain. In all, we got a little more than we paid for.

I never think to review the places where I spend a lot of time at which, in my case, constitutes pubs in and around Canterbury, so I'm now aiming to correct that!! The Eight Bells. Well what can I say? Kim, the landlady, is simply a lovely, lovely lady. Her partner in crime, Becks, is equally as lovely. They keep a perfect pint and a perfect atmosphere. If you're in Canterbury; here you must drink. Matt

Trevlig och luftig pub, god mat, rikhaltig matsedel och trevlig personal. Vi går gärna dit igen! Rekommenderas!

Having popped in to the Eight Bells on many occasion for a beer or two, We've recently discovered The Sunday Lunch. Have enjoyed this twice now and this is good old fashioned cooking at it's very best. At a great price. Food is served by Kim & Becky very quickly, is piping hot and generously portioned. Choice of chicken, beef, lamb or pork, all served with mash & roast potatoes, yorkshire pudding and five other veg. And gravy to die for!!! A mention also to Ryan & Paddy who pull a great pint. Wonderful value for money and nice homely atmosphere.

Today we tried the Sunday roast dinner at the Eight Bells. Kim & Becky took around five minutes to deliver the best roast chicken & lamb dinners in Canterbury; (beef was available too). It was home made, hot, fresh, generous portions & totally delicious! This is a 'locals' pub yet extends a warm welcome to all. We look forward to many more Sunday lunches at this small sized pub with the big heart. 100% recommendation.

The Eight Bells & our land lady Kim are an absolute delight. It's a real traditional, 'locals'' pub, with delicious food & a gorgeous welcome. You really must have one of Kim's Sunday roasts; the best quality lunch in Canterbury at the best price! The Eight Bells is a jewel in Canterbury's culture & we are blessed by it!