Every year branches of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) assess local pubs for inclusion in the Good Beer Guide and give recognition to especially deserving ones by awarding local, regional and national pubs of the year.
The 2026 Thanet pub of the year is once again The Royston in Broadstairs, runner-up is the Magnet, also in Broadstairs, with the Montefiore Arms in Ramsgate, being awarded a bronze certificate.
Since opening in 2021 the Royston micropub has been a beer enthusiasts’ favourite, receiving numerous awards from CAMRA, including last year just narrowly missing becoming national pub of the year.
This year’s 2026 award for the best pub in Thanet was presented to landlord Andy Smith in the packed pub on 6th May. After everyone sang happy birthday to landlady Melissa, Andy said: “Thank you CAMRA for bringing us all together.
“Some people are uncertain of CAMRA, I support what they do, although this year the pub didn’t make it to the next round of national recognition, but what matters is giving our customers what they want and serving the community – also we are ranked number one on TripAdvisor for bars in Thanet.”
Andy then thanked staff members, James, Jez and newcomer Mike, plus quizmasters Chris and Liam.
He said: “These quizzes raise funds for Broadstairs Town Shed and music events at Maurice House, both of these causes are close to my heart.”
The Royston is at 2 The Broadway, Broadstairs.
The presentation at the Magnet was made by CAMRA’s Damien Clark to pub landlord Will Leeves.
Damien said: “There is a satisfying consistency in Thanet’s best pubs, and this has been contrasted over the last decade in a world where changes happen very quickly. Part of pub culture is about community and stability – plus good beer!”
Thanking Damien, Will recalled: “A few years ago, CAMRA was awarding Traditional Pub of the Year, and as a separate category Micropub of the Year – this caused definition problems and even I wasn’t sure if we were a pub, a traditional micropub or something else but it’s always good to be recognised.
“Special thanks go to our staff, Sam, Ria, and Jonny, and to all our previous staff members plus a special thanks to all of our lovely customers.”
The Magnet is at 37 Albion Street, Broadstairs.
The certificate for bronze was accepted by Matt Freeman, landlord of the Montefiore Arms. The pub has been in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide for 27 years and Matt thanked CAMRA for their long standing promotion of the pub to far beyond the community it serves in Ramsgate.
On the evening of the presentation at a packed pub customers included visiting CAMRA members from Herne Bay.
The Montefiore Arms is at 1 Trinity Place, Ramsgate
CAMRA was formed in 1971 and styles itself as part campaign and part social group. With more than 200 branches it offers local meetings, beer festivals, pub get-togethers and more. The Thanet CAMRA website can be seen at https://thanet.camra.org.uk/
