The Royal Hop Pole (JD Wetherspoon), Tewkesbury

As described by others, below, this is one of the better ‘Spoons I have visited, quite impressive in fact. Much of its charm comes from the building itself, but credit goes to Tim and his staff for a sympathetic conversion, and to the branch manager for running a good team and a pleasant pub. The young staff were professional and helpful, and there was a pleasant, calm atmosphere. Ales on were Bateman’s Autumn Sun, Ruddles, Abbott, Doombar, Orkney Wave Breaker, Rudgate Grapefruit Paradisi, Creature Comforts’s Automatic, Burning Sky Clear Spot and Young Henry’s Newtowner. There was one boxed cider behind the bar. This one is well worth a visit, and a definite for a town crawl.

Fine old inn, modernised and extended by Wetherspoon, but the interior retains a good deal of character. Separate rooms can be found on each side of the porticoed entrance, the bar counter centre left with a grand fireplace in the seating area opposite, and more tables further back until you reach the beer garden door. Doubled-up clips for Ruddles, Doom Bar and Abbot on one bank of six handpumps, but a much more appealing selection of Acorn Brewer's Gold, She Sells Sea Shells from Gadds, Loch Lomond Bonnie & Blonde, Bonville Pale and Scallywag from Hop Union, and North Cotswold's Cotswold Best could be found on the other.