The Moon Under Water (JD Wetherspoon), Cheltenham

Dull-looking 'spoons both inside and out, previously a car showroom. Large windows and three glazed ceiling lights at the front, but it soon gets rather gloomy as you go further back. However, the place is saved a bit by usually having some interesting cask ales on the nine handpumps - including Bristol Belle, Whakapapa and Alpha Centauri (£2.89) from Hop Union, Goddards Duck's Folly and Theakston Old Peculier on my visit - in addition to the obligatory Ruddles, Doom Bar and Abbot.

Possibly the lesser of the two spoons in town. As typical as they come. Service was quick.

A fleeting visit due to time ticking down on the train departure. A fairly simple (and scruffy) JDW though the trussed roof is of passing interest. Oddly dark at the front of the pub, where we found what might have been the only spare table as it was heaving – so my Spoons shares continue to look like a good purchase. Necked a swift half of Titanic Plum Porter (NBSS 3). GBG’23 listed.

Fairly old school ‘spoons, an ex Lloyds, the front is emblazoned “A JD Wetherspoons Freehouse”. Inside the usual furnishing mix of high and low tables in now scruffy dark wood. A long counter down the left with a five-four-five line up of casks with T-bars interspersed. The behind the counter fridges have some homely wooden signs. Other than a random mix of Ruddles, Abbott and Doombar there were a couple from North Cotswold, Portobello and a Jaipur spread over the pumps. The place has an hourglass shape, being wide at the front, narrowing then ballooning out into an area of low tables with side booths. The ceiling is odd being low at the front then what could be a higher modern extension with visible trusses then low again at the rear and looking older. There are some odd but interesting metal sculptures in the ceiling. All on one floor so it has rear toilets which are CCTV monitored. The staff aren’t bad either.