Miscriant: The Millers Arms

It's been a little while since I showed you a pub. Let me introduce you to one of my favourite hangout places. It's already appeared on the blog once before, when my friends got hold of my camera for the afternoon!

Built in 1862 to serve the local mill workers, I hang out in The Millers Arms at least once a month. This is the location for our Players social on the last Thursday of every month. A chance for us to get together, chat about the latest production, catch up on gossip, meet new members and generally have a moderately ~~nosey~~ noisy evening together.

It's a great choice - cask ales, a really good Chilean Sauvignon Blanc (my favourite), decent food if you are peckish and good size tables for large groups of people that they don't seem to object to you moving around as more people come and join you. The conservatory is also really nice to sit and relax in.

The small courtyard garden is also great to hang out in when the weather is warmer! In the meantime, the inglenook fireplace helped keep you toasty and snuggly during the ridiculously long winter we were suffering from.

Located on Mill Lane, near St Radigunds and close to the Marlowe Theatre, The Millers is also an old historic coaching inn and still runs as a B&B to this day.

Entrance is via the large double doors just opposite the old Mill where the river Stour runs through the centre of Canterbury. The roar and gurgle of the water rushing through the sluice gates of the Mill is one of the sounds that is intrinsically linked to Canterbury in my mind, along with the tolling bells of the Cathedral and the squawk of seagulls on the University sports hall roof! I could sit in the summer months with a cold beer and a good book and listen to the river for hours.

The Millers Arms was recently refurbished and has gone for an eclectic vintage vibe with old crates and antique photographs providing the majority of the decor, offset with ivory, vanilla and moss green walls and stained pine wood features accented by deep plums and aubergines.

Tables are large, homey and spacious and parties are welcome. Magazines and newspapers are scattered for the patrons to use and the tables are simply decorated with small vases with fresh flowers. Wooden chairs and leather benches are inviting and comfortable with plenty of room to go around.

The Millers feels a lot lighter and fresher than some of the older pubs in Canterbury, being relatively new in comparison.

Food is traditional and well portioned. Ordering is via your table number - choose what you want, go to the bar, give them your order and your table number, pay and wait for your food to arrive.

Cheesy chips are my go-to bar snack.

The L shaped bar is manned by very friendly and knowledgeable staff who are happy to offer their advice and recommendations on both your food and drink choices.

This is one of those pubs where you can pull up a chair, get in the drinks and sit and talk happily for hours on end. The last session lasted *cough* 5 hours.