The Golden Lion (JD Wetherspoon), Rochester

The Golden Lion is an old high street pub in Rochester's less touristy bit which has now been taken over by JDW. It is a single large bar, but there are some side rooms hidden away and unlike many other JDWs, the building doesn't have much architectural interest. It is one of the better run JDWs, and the older-than-average clientele makes it more restful, although there was some noise from a pair of babies shrieking in a corner. The staff were friendly, although when I asked for my glass to be filled up I got a dirty look, and they thought my CAMRA vouchers were some extraterrestrial artifact judging by the reaction they got. There were 10 ales on; I had a pint of Welton's Old Cocky which was a good pint served at the right temperature. All in all, a decent pub worth including on a crawl or popping in for a quick one at lunchtime.

Much like any Wetherspoons, the beer was of a high quality (Nethergate Umbel Magna in this case), but the clientele and general ambiance was seriously lacking. There were a couple of redeeming features, most notably the decent sized beer garden (and my own personal favourite - a proper pub sign - which is usually anathema to Wetherspoons outlets), but given the number of other Rochester pubs offering good beer, there really aren't enough reasons to make me want to come here again.

In a town packed with numerous quality pubs, this Wetherspoons comes over as a bit bland and contrived. There had been a Golden Lion pub here until the 1920's but the premises had been a succession of shops until Wetherspoons got hold of it, extended sideways and backwards and hijacked the name. One thing that Wetherspoons do well is keep a local theme and the plentiful maritime pictures and displays about the rich history of the Medway towns feature prominently. I was especially pleased to see a local Chatham beer (Shipwrecked) as one of the guests amid the usual selection and as ever the quality was excellent. The pub extends quite a way back and with its fairly low ceiling can feel a bit claustrophobic but there is plenty of seating, a few snug areas and beyond the flagstoned rear section is a garden for the sun lovers and smokers. The silenced plasma TV, quiz and fruit machines do little to raise the dampened atmosphere. I have been if far worse but like most Wetherspoons it is worth popping in for the guest beers, then moving on.