The John Francis Basset (JD Wetherspoon), Camborne

Very imposing Wetherspoon hotel, housed in the palazzo-style George's Hall (later Scala Cinema), next door to the equally expansive bar in the original Market House. Nine of ten handpumps in operation, with a reasonable selection of local, national and festival ales (from which I went for the Cornish Crown, £2.19).

Official site of The John Francis Basset (JD Wetherspoon) - www.jdwetherspoon.com

Official site of The John Francis Basset (JD Wetherspoon) - www.jdwetherspoon.com

Nothing to do with Liquorice Allsorts this one but a local mine owner in days past. It had external scaffolding outside on my visit so was presumably being given a lick of paint. It's a JDW Hotel as well as a pub which may be as well because it seemed very large for what appeared to be a fairly small town. Unusually for me I was here on a Friday night as I actually stayed here. The room was fine but it's not cheap compared to advance bookings at the likes of some Travelodge or Premier Inn places where you lose the money if you don't turn up. There were bouncers on duty but they seemed friendly enough and had little to do while I was there. I resisted the temptation to ask either of them if they had ever appeared in a Bond film. The pub itself is roughly T shaped with a few areas split off from the main part. There is a mix of carpets and what looked like a fake slate floor. Given that it's a fairly new outlet everything seemed a bit better than the old 90s shop conversions. It wasn't rammed on a Friday Night but comfortable and pleasant with a mix of all ages enjoying a night out. The bar has ten hand pumps which had one unused, the JDW Trio Of Doom with Doom Bore doubled up, Cornish Crown One Hop Grain doubled up, Marston's One Is 90, Tintagel Cornwall's Pride and Otter Summer Light. I'd had my fill of dull SW England beers by this stage so went for the Black Dragon Cider from the fridge which I didn't note the price of it but the standard guest ale price was £2.29. The standard breakfast price here was £3.99 which is more expensive than most so I was glad I'd already decided to have breakfast in the Helston JDW the next morning. All in all I liked this one and the hotel side of it should make up for the fact that it may be too large for the size of the town.

Does what it says on the tin. Formerly the Corn Exchange, more of a sports-orientated bar. Occupies most of the premises which were formerly the notorious Berkeley Centre/Euphoria nightclub prior to the Corn Exchange. Cheap and decent booze, offers Thatchers, Cornish Orchards and Stowford for the applehead. Huge space themed on local industry. Okay beer garden.