Pubs can be the life and soul of the community – but as habits change, the tradition of going down to your local is sadly fading in some areas.

In what has been another tough year for the industry, we take a look at 12 Kent pubs that closed their doors in 2024.

Donna’s Ale House, Sittingbourne

When Donna’s Ale House opened in 2017 amid the micropub craze, the West Street establishment benefitted from being the first of its kind in Sittingbourne.

However, with neighbouring Vineyard and Spoons being the main attractions of the town, the bosses of this charming little joint shut up shop in September – simply saying they were “starting a new chapter in our life”.

It was hoped a buyer could be found but landlords James and Donna Hartridge sadly confirmed last month this had fallen through – leaving its fate unclear heading into the new year.

The Walnut Tree, Yalding

The oldest pub on our list, The Walnut Tree was built in 1492 and was a former Kentish Yeoman’s house before becoming a beer house in the 19th century.

It closed in April, months after co-owner David House died.

This and the Amherst Inn in Sevenoaks remain unopened following Mr House’s death, with Yalding having just one pub left as a result.

Tyler’s Kiln, Canterbury

When Byron Hayter reopened this inn on the edge of the city last year, he vowed to win over punters with “honest pub food” and good beer.

But much like many boozers in Kent, it was not to last as Tyler’s Kiln suffered the same fate as many of its peers in November.

It has been a tough time for this seemingly doomed tavern, which has shut three times since the start of the pandemic.

The Flying Saucer, Hempstead

When news broke of Greene King’s decision to bring the shutters down on the Hempstead Road pub, it left a gaping hole in the community.

With the final day of trading on June 8, much has been done since to try and bring the 70-year-old business back to life.

The battle to save the boozer has even reached Westminster, but whether or not it’ll be enough for it to return in 2025 remains to be seen.

Fleur De Lis, Sandwich

One of the oldest pubs in the county found itself facing the music in September, when the landlord announced the closure by quoting Bob Dylan lyrics, saying: “The times they are a-changing.”

The decision to close the 382-year-old bar and hotel in Delf Street prompted hundreds of messages from residents offering their best wishes and regret at seeing the venue go.

The first recorded mention of the Fleur de Lis was in 1642 when the town crier proclaimed it as a meeting place for volunteers to fight for Charles I and the royalists during the English Civil War, while the existing building dates back to 1785.

The Peacock, Gravesend

This public house managed to make it to New Year’s Day 2024 beforeit closed.

In the year since then, it has become apparent the Peacock Street pub won’t reopen, with plans submitted to convert it into a community centre.

The pub dates back to the 19th century with Muhammad Hasan of the Al-Haqq academy promising to maintain the building’s original character.

The Aviator, Queenborough

Similar to the fate suffered by The Peacock, it was on New Year’s Day this sprawling site announced it would not be going any longer and would be sold.

“Unfortunately, the ever-increasing utilities have made things impossible to continue,” said the landlords at the time.

Another former Shepherd Neame pub on the list, football teams based here enjoyed success in the local Sunday league but its location on Sheppey may catch the eye of any property developers.

The Three Compasses, Deal

With roots dating back to the late 1700s, it is a sign of the times that The Three Compasses faces being turned into holiday lets on the coast.

With the owners announcing their retirement earlier this year, it lost its reputation as a watering hole years ago with many coming to know it as a restaurant.

But that hasn’t stopped historians and pub lovers from mourning the loss, which will see hundreds of years’ worth of history wiped out.

The Monarch, Gillingham

The loss of this town centre establishment went under the radar back when it was time to say goodbye in July.

The Monarch struggled for more than a decade, with multiple closures since 2010 and many new eras proving to be little more than wishful thinking.

Formerly a Shepherd Neame pub, it has reportedly been sold off to property developers who can capitalise on its location near the high street.

This Ancient Boro, Tenterden

Having only opened six years ago, this East Cross pub was a Chinese takeaway for more than 50 years before it was converted.

Operating as a town centre ale house and tapas bar, the attempts to offer food and drink in equal spades initially went well before losing momentum.

It was in November we lost this short-lived boozer, which in the near future is likely to return as a takeaway – this time offering Thai food.

The George and Dragon, Lamberhurst

It was in the first half of the year this inn near Tunbridge Wells went quiet, with the landlords last posting on social media in March.

With a history going back to at least the 1830s, the riverside pub was marketed by estate agents as a prime site to be converted into flats.

There was no indication as to why it closed, but neighbouring establishments such as The Chequers appear to be coping well in the area.

The Gatehouse, Tonbridge

The final boozer on the list – which is by no means exhaustive – comes from Tonbridge High Street.

The Gatehouse, formerly a Slug and Lettuce, went into administration in March, leading to its immediate closure.

With the property boarded up since, many were saddened by the news – with one remarking it was “never a bad time in The Gatehouse”.