The Dolphin & Anchor (JD Wetherspoon), Chichester

This large 'spoons opposite the cathedral was packed on my Saturday morning visit but also pretty soulless. Long and quite dark in parts, the bar occupy’ s most of the right side of the pub as you enter and is pretty long. 12 hand pumps with 8 different ales and 1 real cider on. Being 6 Nations time, I choose a rugby inspired pint from Langham's Brewery Nice Try @ 4.5%, a decent & well kept pint. The pub was packed with barely any spare tables, most of the clientele were eating with not so many of the usual ‘spoons crowd in here on my visit. A fairly non descript review of a pub that didn’t do much for me.

This old hotel has been converted to a large relatively opulent single room Spoons as well described below. It was getting quite late on my visit so didn't get to note all the beers but did spot Dark Star Winter Meltdown & Revelation, Adnam's Rogue Brutal IPA, King Lost Kingdom, the usual 2 GK beers, Doom Bore and a Langham's beer. I went for the Adnam's Rogue Brutal IPA which not only was not in that good nick (cloudy) but unless I was overcharged was a ridiculous price for a small town Spoons, £3.19. They have two casks of this in my local Spoons so I know I will be drinking it there for £2.35. If I ever return to Chichester I will probably avoid coming here and the score is knocked right down for the poor expensive beer.

For me this was one of my better Wetherspoon experiences, and due to its position just down the road from our Travelodge accommodation, it was utilised for morning brecky and mid-afternoon beers, although we avoided it in the evening when like a lot of ‘Spoons it turns into a crèche for the local youth, and especially in a place like Chichester where the local council has kept any nightclubs from being opened in the town. Firstly it’s a former pub, being the original Dolphin & Anchor dating from 1910, when the two neighbouring separate Inns of the Dolphin and The Anchor were combined into one pub. And although the internal space is quite large by other Chichester pub standards, it’s not a cavernous soul less space like some of the Wetherspoons conversions can be. Secondly, the double aspect corner position with lots of windows, and the use of light wood and light colours makes this quite a bright and airy Wetherspoons. And last and most importantly the two banks of six pumps on the main bar on the right as you enter. were all going during my couple of visits and with only three given over to the usual house ales, this left plenty of choice on the others. These included a good range of locals including Langham’s Black Swallow and a couple from Ballards with the Best and Wassail on.

Situated in a prime location directly opposite the cathedral (serving up free God burgers on the green which made for a handy snack), this is a JDW with 12 ale pumps though only six different ones were actually on. My Itchin Valley was good enough, even if the dilapidated pump clip kept falling off during the pouring process (other ‘guests’ were Bishops Finger, Hobgoblin and 49er). The interior is basically one large room that dramatically narrows in the middle to accommodate the toilets. The skylight above the bar in this area makes for some welcome brightness. A number of the walls are tiled and painted red, which looked quite smart. Not sure what the striking golden thing atop the building exterior was. Middlingly pleasant as far as Spoons go.

For a long time this Wetherspoons has had a poor ale range and of not very good quality but on my recent visit this was much better. Place was packed as usual but let's hope that the current manager keeps up the nice selection of ales in a town that has lost a lot of charming pubs to the restaurants and chic market.