The Crown (JD Wetherspoon), Berkhamsted

At least this 'spoons was once a coaching inn,and there is some internal interest with two small room to the right of the entrance,low ceilings and exposed wooden posts.Opposite the central bar there is a small conservatory while at the rear there are two more sections one with a flat screen ,the other giving access to a large sloping garden with many different levels joined together by a paved path. I liked the wood panelling ,the gallery landing to the loos and the rambling interior but the identikit furniture reminds you of the chain ethos. Two banks of six handpumps but with two given over to real cider,and GK Abbott,Ruddles Bitter,London Pride and Adnams Broadside all doubled up ,it only left two guests to choose from in the form of Tring Up and Under and Newby Wyke HMS Warrior (£2.20 ,decent shape)on my trip.As you might expect there were several all day drinkers propping the bar,the atmosphere was a bit downbeat. This is not the first time I have been underwhelmed by the ale choice here,it falls into the category of "bog standard 'spoons".

The pub is a rarity in so far as the front section of this JDW was always a pub going back centuries rather than the usual old cinema or carpet shop. Nowadays the pub goes back quite some distance, and external inspection from the side alley, which I took to be the former stable access, suggests that the current Crown is now two buildings extended and joined together. The front area still has some old beams and posts and the period low ceiling, plus another 'spoons rarity, a separate side room. The front area to the right on entering would also once have been another room. Nowadays, the bar is in the middle, JDW style along a side wall. Naturally some of the usual Wetherspoons treatment has taken place, with the side extension having a conservatory roof, and the superbly observed up the stairs and down the other side galleried toilets resembling a gallows! There were a decent selection of beers on with multiple pumps and local beers in the guise of Tring, Red Squirrel and Buntingford. I actually went for a Brains St David's Ale (£2.45) which was in fine nick. The barmaid was friendly, bouncy and very jolly, seeing trainman's review below there must be something in the water. Worth a visit even if JDWs aren't your thing.