about us

Reculver Towers and Roman Fort once occupied a strategic location at the northwestern end of the Watsum Channel, Between the Isles of Thanet and the Kent mainland. This led Romans to build a small fort there at the time of their conquest of Britain in 43AD.

During the Middle Ages, Reculver Towers and Roman Fort

Was a thriving township with a weekly market and a yearly fair and it was a member of the Cinque Ports of Sandwich. The twin spires of the church became a landmark for mariners known as the “Twin Sisters”

The military connection resumed in the second world war when Barnes Wallis’s bouncing bombs were tested in the sea of Reculver Towers and Roman Fort. Whilst the King Ethelbert Pub offered food and drink to the servicemen stationed nearby.

We took over the pub in 2004 and have built upon an already strong local customer base and now attract a large clientele from as far as London as visitors can enjoy the sea air, a stroll around the Reculver Towers and Roman Fort and brisk walk or cycle along the shoreline either before or after stopping at the pub for sustenance!

We love having a pub with such great views and in such a great location whilst being able to serve good food and beer at a great price!

We've got two log burners to provide a great atmosphere

And warmth in the winter and plenty of outside space for the summer – together with a seafood stall that’s open every weekend throughout the summer months if you fancy a change from the traditional pub menu.

The King Ethelbert is a traditional pub in the true sense of the word, it’s a meeting place for
locals and very community orientated, making the most of its independence to serve a variety
of periodically changing beers.