The Furze Wren (JD Wetherspoon), Bexleyheath

This is a very large, town centre branch of the Wetherspoons chain, located in the heart of Bexley's main shopping precinct. The pub occupies a long, wide, carpeted room that follows the sweeping curve of the building. The bar runs along the rear wall, slightly to the left on entry, and has a fairy light strewn counter front and polished stone top, huge mirrored bar back with the pub's name written across it, contrasting the slightly more standard fridges and dark wood shelving sections to either side. Lots of high tables and stools have been set out opposite, with a bare boarded raised space to the front, beneath floor to ceiling front windows. To the far left is a densely packed seating area full of tables and chairs plus a few banquette booths to either side. Meanwhile, to the right, the pub drops down a few steps into a second seating area, broken up by blocky shelving units which have been used as partitioning. There's a whole load of additional tables, chairs, low stools and banquettes to pick from here, which is good, as the pub seems very popular and free seating was running low. The long row of windows along the front of pub, limit the amount of wall space within, but where some can be found, it has mostly been decorated with local information boards, various photos and paintings, bottle collections and a variety of decorative items. I didn't spot any TV screens, although I may have just been unobservant, but did see lots of slot machines instead, conspicuously positioned in the middle of the pub. The three regular 'Spoons cask ales were available alongside a very healthy looking seven guests. I didnt have to ponder the selection for too long, quickly opting for a personal favouite - Orkney Dark Island. Upon ordering, the friendly barmaid joked that she couldn't see which pump clip was which, so I helped her locate the correct pump and was treated to a great pint in tip-top condition, all for a mere £2.66. I was quite impressed with this place, which has some good seating areas, a wide ale range and top quality beer conditioning. The packed house meant there were a few dubious looking characters passing through, but I reckon they are easily avoided and a good session could be enjoyed here. Date of visit - 25th November 2023

This is a modern built large Spoons that consists of a long narrow curved room. It's part of what looks like a new shopping centre. It looked busy when I passed it earlier on the bus at around 11:00 and was busy with mostly shoppers when I arrived around midday. There were definitely more than seven pumps, I didn't count them but I think it was twelve. sadly the Ruddles was doubled up, there were three uninvited guests (two Marston's and a Theakston Beer) plus two Ciders. This left Deuchar's IPA, boring Hobgoblin or Bishop's Finger to choose from. I went for the Bishop's Finger (£2.15) which was OK but not fully clear. I can see no reason for this being a GBG entry. You would expect it to have beers on from local micros or interesting ones from the current list rather than entirely products of major regionals or offshoots of the global abominations. I have to say I preferred the Wrong 'Un down the road.

Randomness Guide to London - Furze Wren entry

Randomness Guide to London - Furze Wren entry