The Moon on the Hill (JD Wetherspoon), Sutton

Just for a change, the Xmas decorations seemed to work here and gave the nice woody interior a good feel. The place is broken up into different areas (and at different levels which confused the ambulatory-challenged) and was pretty busy on a Friday afternoon. The range of dark beers was welcome also, with a very toothsome Twickenham Winter Star chosen.

GBG listed Spoons. Old skool dark varnished wood interior over two levels, though surprisingly light and bright compared to other variations of this style around the country thanks to the big windows at the front of the pub. Of note is the nightmare fuel ‘tree men’ sculptures which arch their branches over the entrance between the two rooms and the very nice full-length gin palace style booth seating areas. Six (!) guest cask with a good range across strengths and styles. Unfortunately my first choice of Theako OP had to go back as it was tart, via a befuddled barmaid, but eventually we managed a replacement of Sharps Sea Fury was which was pretty good (NBSS 3.5). As time passed I quite liked it here, though the ropey first pint and clueless barmaid wasn’t the best first impression. 6.5