Fancy a cold beverage in the sun to soak up the rays this weekend? One Kent beer garden has been named as one of the best in England.

The Old Neptune Pub in Whitstable has placed in the top 25 beer gardens in the country.

The 19th century seaside drinkery was the only pub in Kent that made the list, compiled by travel company Big 7 Travel.

Judges for the competition compiled a list of categories to decide which gardens were most deserving of praise.

A spokesman for the company said: “Our comprehensive ranking system covers everything from ambience and scenery to food and drink selection, making it an invaluable resource for anyone looking to enjoy a pint al fresco.”

As well as editorial opinions and experiences, the criteria also include online reviews, atmosphere, value for money and presentation, among others.

The list says of the pub: “This local institution used to be a rock’n’roll pub in the 1980s and legend has it that the Krays used to enjoy a fair few pints here too.

“Fill your lungs with salty sea air and watch the waves at ‘The Neppy’ – an early 19th century pub set right on Whitstable’s pebbly beach.

“These days it sports a more jovial, family-friendly atmosphere, with a great selection of beers (including Whitstable Pale Ale) and traditional pub fare served through an old-style stable door from the kitchen.

If you are looking for some additional inspiration, check out KentOnline’s abridged beer garden suggestions from last year.

The Old Neptune was an old college haunt for our resident pub enthusiast the Secret Drinker, and he swung back around to visit back in January 2020.

The spokesman for the awards added: “Grab a table outside as the sun goes down for unobstructed views of one of Kent’s best beaches.”