The Furze Wren (JD Wetherspoon), Bexleyheath

The larger of the 2 Wetherspoons that bookend the shopping area of Bexleyheath, the Furze Wren is a large and spacious but quite cavernous and souless place even by ‘Spoons standards. Named in honour of the Dartford Warbler (that as all good ornithologists will know was first discovered on nearby Dartford Heath), the pub does try and break up the open plan nature with a few divides but intimacy isn’t a major feature. One end is partly divided by free standing bookcases and there is also a large area put aside for families during the daytime hours. The middle section in front of the bar is sofa dominated and make the bar area doesn’t seem to be the most intelligent bit of layout planning as it makes the bar a bit inaccessible when things get busy. The floor to high ceilings and full height window frontage makes it quite light and airy and the curvature of the pub (it is situated on a shallow road bend) does at least take away the feel of being in a giant shoe box. There are 2 flatscreen TVs which seema bit inadequate for a pub of this size although I can’t really get to grasp of why Wetherspoons have TV’s in the first place when they are so underused. There are 7 hand pumps with a varying number of guest beers (usually 3 or 4) but even the least fussy ale fan will note that they are generally served too cold which does raise questions as to the pub’s appearance in the 2010 Good Beer Guide. Overall, nothing too memorable but its sheer size usually means you can guarantee a seat and table even at peak periods and whatever its shortcomings, it is still one of the better options in town.

Its a Wetherspoon pub-clean-in central town centre location-great place to take a break when shopping in Bexleyheath town centre.

Official page of The Furze Wren - www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk

Official page of The Furze Wren - www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk