The Nonsuch Inn (JD Wetherspoon), North Cheam, Sutton

Perhaps I caught it at a good moment but this seemed like a good, bustling Spoons with a nice feel, despite being basically in one rectangular room. Even with a lively crowd in service was bearing up well and the staff were competently unflustered. Seems to have a good showing of ales too, with the 6 guests including 4 locals including two dark ones. Not an area I visit frequently (or at all) but if I did I would return. Very handy for Sainsbury's too!

Relatively bijou Spoons in a slightly peculiar location away from the main hubbub (a 1995 opener which probably explains things). Nothing particularly striking décor-wise, some light coloured wood along with some booths; I wonder if this was an early attempt at a refurb of the older parts of the estate before Timbo got more confident at being original. Notably clean, all tables cleared and the mature staff were lively. Four guest ales which seemed a stretch given the size of the place but no problems with my Oakham Bite The Bullet (NBSS 3.5).

Pretty much the only pub in this part of North Cheam, this is a very simple, single room, open plan branch of Wetherspoons. The pub occupies a vaguely rectangular room with carpet throughout and low wood wall panelling beneath cream uppers. The servery appears midway down the right-hand wall and has a modern wood panelled counter with shiny brass foot rails, polished stone top and a decidedly uninteresting, modern mirrored bar back. Seating comes mostly in the form of standard tables and chairs, with high stools to the front and some comfy looking banquette booths down the left and rear walls. A few small pillars through the centre do very little to break up the space but perhaps show us how the pub was converted from two shop units. A few smart shelving units opposite the bar are full of books, bottles, paintings etc, whilst the walls have the usual local interest photos, plain mirrors and a few 'Spoons information boards. The three regular Wetherspoons ales were all doubled up across the banks of handpulls, although there were still six guest beers, which were all seemingly part of the ongoing beer festival. I tried Steel and Oak Easy Stout, all the way from Vancouver, and a bargain at £2.25 a pint. It was a very nice beer, served to me by a friendly barmaid, and had I not needed to dash for a bus home, I would happily have stayed for a second. I also ate here and found the food portion to be generous and the service as prompt as always with this chain. South London 'Spoons are all a bit much of a muchness in my experience, and this suburban branch certainly slotted nicely into that category. What it lacked in charm and interest, it made up for with good service and great beer, so all in all, I ended up quite enjoying my time here, even if the pub itself just blurs into the mass of 'Spoons from this part of the world. Its great to have this option in what is a bit of a beer desert, but I wouldn't make a trip out here especially. Date of visit - 14th October 2023

Standard-issue 'spoons, converted from the ground floor of a very dull block, with the usual low ceilings and limited natural light. However, the furniture and decor are lighter than some, so that helps a bit. Moderate selection of real ales from the two banks of six handpumps, from which I selected the 'international' Naikita (that would have been great value at £1.99 but which had, perhaps, been sitting in the pipes for a while).

Official site of The Nonsuch Inn (JD Wetherspoon) - www.jdwetherspoon.com

Official site of The Nonsuch Inn (JD Wetherspoon) - www.jdwetherspoon.com

A basic Spoons setup as described below,two banks of six hand pumps, one set was all usual Spoons suspects,while the other six were more of interest, these were Butcombe Rare Breed,Marstons Empire IPA,Redemption Pale Ale, Redemption Hopspur, Butcombe Crimson King and an international beer collaboration ,Yeastie Boys Golden Perch, brewed at Wadworth's brewery. The pub itself did little for me but my pint of Rare Breed was very good.