Railway Tavern, Gravesend

Former town centre pub that began life in 1853, following the opening of the nearby Gravesend Central railway station in 1849. In the early 20th century it was part of the tied estate of London brewers Meux, and subsequently traded as part of Friary Meux and later still the Ind Coope/Allied Breweries empire following a succession of mergers and takeovers. The splendid Meux tiled exterior has survived - see gallery.

After a period of closure from around 2006, the pub re-opened as the D:Ream Bar and Lounge, but this was not an overwhelming success and it closed its doors for the last time in 2012. Evidently the D:Ream had turned into a N:Ightmare. It could have made a superb traditional local if someone had been persuaded to take it on.

Remarkably for Gravesend there was no mysterious fire, and it was eventually converted into an ice cream parlour. Makes a pleasant change from housing.