The George (JD Wetherspoon), Wanstead, E11

This is a typical barn of a Wetherspoon’s pub, housed in a massive Edwardian architectural gem of a building. There was little or nothing inside of the magnificent furnishings that would have been present, but there are some etched glass windows remaining as well as some external ironwork that identify the original Saloon Bar entrance on the corner, and the hotel entrance from when this was the George Hotel. But this is a Wetherspoon’s and it does what it says on the tin – provide good quality and cheap (festival ales are £2.05) beer, and cheap food. They also had London Pride on at £2.60 a pint, and I wonder how many buy this commonly seen ale when faced with an array of rarely seen ales at 55p a pint cheaper. There are the usual old prints and the like on the walls, and I spotted a rather strange looking diabolical wooden throne in the middle of the room. Rather odd, but interesting I suppose. A typical ‘spoons, but nonetheless a welcome bolthole for me on a wet day.