Command House

You're walking along Dock Road and suddenly the Medway opens up in front of you – Command House sits right on that stretch of water where things get a bit proper. It's the kind of pub where locals actually want to be, not just somewhere to kill time. The riverside gardens are the real draw here; on a decent evening you can post up outside with a pint and watch the water, and it doesn't feel forced or Instagram-y about it. Inside, it's got enough character without trying too hard – proper pub energy rather than theme park nostalgia.