The Coal Orchard, Taunton

Art Deco building which Timbo has also given a bit of Art Deco ambience to internally as well (lights, servery design). Jumbo plate glass windows at the front for light. Three guest ales, my Hanlon Port Stout was excellent (NBSS 4). A nice hubbub inside and – gasp – this felt close to being a ‘proper’ pub. I liked it. 7.5

As described by Aqualung, the rather horrible exterior hides a fairly nondescript interior, the standard JDW decor but slightly grubbier and with non-functioning WiFi. That said, the staff were pleasant, and the pub is an active sponsor of Somerset County Cricket Club. The handpumps dispensed Old Rosie, WB's Bees Knees, Doombar, Butcombe's, Jail Ale, Bay's Gold, Orchard Pig and Legend, while a good range of bottled beers included beers from Asia and Germany, Meantime and The Beast and Gold from Exmoor, plus 8 bottled ciders. An average 'Spoons.

This is a long narrow shop conversion with areas to the side. One of these is near the front in the bar area which had a TV on for the football but this was the only one in the pub. The beer choice here from the ten hand pumps was nowhere near as good as the other Spoons with two available soon, the JDW Trio of Doom with Abbot and Doom Bore doubled, Dartmoor Jail Ale & Best and Hook Norton Nerdherder IPA. I went for the Jail Ale which was in good nick. I thought this JDW was reasonably OK.

By the numbers Wetherspoons.

Not too bad for a 'spoons - typical slow service but ales are well kept and, as always with the chain, there is a decent range to chose from. Normal microwaved frozen pre-pack food of the chain and the normal clientele for whatever time of day you call - pissheads queuing at 9am, grannies with meringue hair-do's at lunchtime, kids in the evening.