The Jack Phillips (JD Wetherspoon), Godalming

Looks like a cruise ship. If your cruise ship is full of miserable people and tables full of dirty glasses. In other words, just like every other JDW. I was only here as it was in the Good Beer Guide. I would tell you about the beer, but incompetent bar service, where two teenagers were dealing with Onion Ring Crisis and frustrated boozers, meant I never got close. Visit blogged at http://bit.ly/2zs7Vfz

The Jack Phillips is a Wetherspoons that is situated on Godalming's very nice looking High Street. Once inside there is a long oblong shaped room which runs to the rear,the room is carpeted,the bar is on the left side,there is a slight raised area to the front,where there are normal tables and chairs,there are tall tables and chairs opposite the bar. There was a decent enough choice of real ales on the bar,i had a drink Hoggs Back Surrey Nivana which went down very well,the other real ales noted were Everards Sunshaser, Peerless Pale,Banks & Taylor Dragon Slayer,plus Spoons regulars GK Abbot,GK IPA and Doom Bar. I thought this was a decent enough Wetherspoons,that had a pretty upmarket type of customer,so i probably let the side down a bit by lowering the tone of the pub. Pub visited 13/5/2017

A formula 'spoons in a particularly unlovable 70s looking building amongst the fine older buildings of this town. Jack Philips was the radio operator on the ill fated Titanic ship's maiden voyage, he apparently tried desperately to obtain assistance to the sinking ship. Obviously a son of Godalming, a review of his life plus various Titanic related artwork adorn the walls. As the chain go I've been in worse, on a lovely sunny day the front folding doors are pulled right back allowing in air and light and those lucky enough to secure a seat there get an al fresco experience added by lots of planted tubs and baskets. Very long and narrow with entrances front and rear, brighter and airier than most JDWs. Two banks of five, lots of usual suspects but a pair from Westerham, A Langham and a collaboration brew from the Netherlands. A routine 'spoons, being in upmarket Godalming, lacking the usual visual entertainment provided by the all-dayers.

Modern-looking 'spoons with a bright and welcoming interior (with pale wooden furniture and decent lighting used to good effect). Also much bigger than it initially appears if you walk through to another space of almost equal size at the back. Small - non-smoking - patio terrace under an overhang at the front on the building. Reasonable choice from ten handpumps, including Langham Hip Hop (£2.50).