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23 Canada Road
Walmer
01304 362411
https://www.facebook.com
https://theberrywalmer.com/
https://www.whatpub.com/berry
Above photo 2015. Kindly supplied by Taylor Blacker. |
Above photo, 2025. |
I am informed that the pub has lost the Green in it's name and is now
just known as the "Berry," even though the sign still says
otherwise. To compensate this, I suppose, the colour of the
pub has been transformed a bright green.
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From an email received 10 January 2016.
Hello!
I have been working at the "Berry" for two and a half years now - and
I thought I'd send some up to date information for you!
Originally called the "Green Beret," the name of the pub was changed
to the "Green Berry" due to insurance. To be military associated the
cost was near on £5,000 more. The pub is now known simply as "The
Berry".
The licensee is now Chris Barnes. He has had the "Berry" since 2005.
The pub is family run with Chris' parents Bev and Malcolm having active
roles.
Since owning the "Berry," Chris has maintained a high quality of Real
Ale and is associated with CAMRA. (Campaign for Real Ale) In 2008 the
pub first won CAMRAs 'Pub of the Year' for the Deal, Dover and Sandwich
district. Then in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 we were
fortunate enough to win it again!! In 2011, 2013 and 2014 we were
awarded the CAMRA 'East Kent Pub of the Year" and in 2013 we won the
CAMRA 'Kent pub of the year'. We have these awards on display at the
"Berry" and we have also won awards for our real Ciders and Perrys.
We have 11 hand pumps, 6 real coders and 6 Key keg beers.
I have included some pictures of the Berry in its previous white
(click here) and it's now vibrant green.
I hope you find this information useful :-)
Taylor Blacker.
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From the Dover Express, 26 June, 2014.
Berry fine pint.
WALMER: The "Berry" has been named the CAMRA Deal Dover and Sandwich
Branch Pub of the Year for a seventh successive year.
The boozer has also won the CAMRA East Kent Pub of the Year for a second
year in a row and now goes through to the final for Kent Pub of the Year.
The pub’s Chris Barnes said: “We are over the moon that we have won these
awards again.”
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From the Dover Express, 2 July 2015.
Berry plays host to its very own Glasto.
FORMER X Factor star Lucy Spraggan took to the stage during our district’s
very own version of Glastonbury at the weekend.
While thousands of people trudged through muddy fields in the West
Country, the sensible folk of Walmer enjoyed a drink and some great music
at “Glastonberry”. The music extravaganza was held in The Berry pub,
packed with jolly punters on Friday and Saturday.
On Friday evening Andrew Dohan performed and invited his good fried Lucy
Spraggan to join him on stage for a few duets - to the surprise and
delight of the audience.
On the Saturday evening, the Allen family gave an “awesome” performance.
Beverley Barnes, mum of landlord Chris, said: “The beers sold well, too.
“There were ten cask ales and ten key keg ales. At close of business on
Saturday evening, all that was left was three cask and two key kegs - and
there wasn’t much of them left either!”
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During the Covid 19 crisis of 2020, this pub was able to offer a take
away service in June, possibly earlier.
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From the Dover Express,5 August 2021.
Golden award for Berry pub.
THE Berry in Walmer has been given a Golden Award by the Campaign
for Real Ale (CAMRA), recognising it for "standing the test of time"
and consistently pouring great pints.
The pub in Canada Road is a former Branch Pub of the Year and East
Kent Cider Pub of the Year, and has received the accolade for being
convivial, characterful, and community-focused.
To mark its 50th anniversary, CAMRA is recognising people, groups,
and businesses that have made a significant contribution to its
aims.
Awards director Gary Timmins said: ”2021 is our anniversary year,
and we want to take this opportunity to celebrate the successes of
great British locals as well as CAMRA's achievements - we
wouldn’t have got far without their support."
The Golden Awards are celebrating recipients in three different
categories: Pubs, Pints and People. More than 240 pubs were
nominated, with just 32 receiving Golden Awards. Winners in the
Pints and People categories will be announced later in the year.
Other events to celebrate CAMRA's 50th anniversary include a new
biography, virtual festivals, and commemorative merchandise.
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From the East Kent Mercury, 19 June 2025. By Max
Chesson.
Award-winning pub goes up for sale.
A pub landlord will sell his award-winning boozer after 20 years
having fallen in love with life as a teaching assistant.
The Berry in Walmer is now on the market, having been run by Chris
Barnes since 2005, when he was aged just 22.
In his time at the 19th-century inn, he won numerous accolades,
including once being declared the best pub in Kent by the Campaign
for Real Ale (CAMRA).
However, after many happy years, it has gone up for sale, with Mr
Barnes’ new found love of teaching at the heart of the decision.
A recent public statement issued by The Berry said: “It’s with a
real mix of emotions that we share the news that, after over 20
incredible years, we’ve decided to put the pub on the market.
“This chapter of our lives has meant so much to us, and while we’ll
be very sad to leave it behind, we also feel ready — and excited—for a new
chapter as a family.
“The pub has been at the heart of our lives for more than two
decades. It’s where our
children grew up, where we built friendships, and where we’ve had
the privilege of being part of so many of your special moments.
We’ve poured our hearts into this place, and it’s been a true labour
of love.
“Chris has found a new passion working as a teaching assistant, and
we’re looking forward to new adventures, a
slightly slower pace, and more time together as a family.
“Thank you for all your support, loyalty and friendship over the
years. It’s been an honour and a privilege to be part of this
community.”
On the market for £495,000, the pub in Canada Road benefits from a
sizeable bar area as well as a courtyard and a four-bed flat for any incoming landlord.
Opening in 1865 as The Royal Arms, it changed its name to The Green
Beret in 1965 and retained the moniker until the late 1980s. It was
rebranded the Green Berry after insurers requested an extra £5,000
in cash due to its military connections, and dropped the ‘Green’
from its name in 2015.
There have already been expressions of interest, though it is
accepted the process will take a while to go through.
The pub’s statement added: “We’re hopeful that someone will come
along who sees the same warmth, charm, and potential in the pub that
we always have, and who is ready
to carry on its legacy for years to come.”
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From the
https://www.kentonline.co.uk
By Max Chesson, 3 December 2025.
The Berry in Walmer could be turned into house if no buyer for pub
is found.
A pub landlord has warned his award-winning boozer might be turned
into a house – as nobody wants to buy it.
Chris Barnes, who has run The Berry in Walmer for 20 years since
taking it over in 2005, put his beloved 19th-century inn on the
market earlier this year.
He made the decision after falling in love with life as a teaching
assistant, and listed it for £495,000 in June in the hope of seeing
a new owner take over a pub once deemed the best in Kent by the
Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).
However, after months on the market with little interest, Mr Barnes
has confessed that The Berry’s future may no longer be as a pub.
In a statement to punters on the pub’s social media page, the
long-serving landlord says it will be turned into a home for his
family as “we can’t make a buyer appear”.
“This hasn’t been an easy decision. We’ve spent over 20 years
pouring our hearts into this place,” said the Barnes family.
“We’ve loved it, we’ve loved you, and we’ve loved the life the pub
has given us. But things have changed.
“Since the summer, the financial climate has been incredibly tough,
and despite dropping the price and genuinely trying our best to sell
the pub as it is, there just isn’t anyone out there who wants to
take it on.
“So, if nobody wants to buy the pub, our hope is to make it our home
- a family home, filled with love, memories, and the next chapter of
our lives.
“We know planning applications can sometimes cause worry, which is
exactly why we wanted to be upfront with you before the notice goes
up.
Inside The Berry in Walmer. Picture: RightMove.
“We really hope we can count on your understanding and support. This
community has been a huge part of our story, and we’d be so grateful
if you could stand with us now as we take this next step.”
Having been trading as a pub for 160 years, Mr Barnes sought to
reassure customers it will not be shutting anytime soon.
With planning permission not expected to come until next year, The
Berry will remain on the market – and it could yet be saved from
closure if a new owner comes forward.
Now listed for £480,000, the pub in Canada Road benefits from a
sizeable bar area as well as a courtyard and a four-bed flat for any
incoming landlord.
Opening in 1865 as the "Royal Arms," and located near the former
barracks of the Royal Marines, it changed its name to The Green
Beret in 1965 and retained the moniker until the late 1980s.
It was rebranded the Green Berry after insurers requested an extra
£5,000 in cash due to its military connections and threats from the
IRA - the green beret being the headwear of Royal Marines commandos.
The pub dropped the ‘Green’ from its name in 2015. |
LICENSEE LIST
BARNES Chris & Malcolm (son & father) 2015+
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