The Crown (JD Wetherspoon), Fareham

This Wetherspoon was, seen quite clearly when on approach, a former inn prior to its current incarnation. There’s some nice exterior tile work to take in and it’s a pretty little building surviving in what is a fairly drab town centre. Being an aged single-storey building means that the bijou interior is higgledy-piggledy and somewhat cramped due to the regulation JDW furnishings being packed in. Quite light inside and there’s a pleasant decor of burgundy and cream. Disappointingly just three cask on with a single guest of Bowman Shaft (NBSS 3). Service was swift and professional. Shame there was just the one guest ale available on a Saturday morning; poor planning or just a fact of life because of the pub’s size? 6.5

Unlike other smaller towns with two Spoons Fareham has managed to retain both of them and this smaller one was the busier of the two on my Tuesday afternoon visit. This one benefits from being an original pub and is two smallish rooms one designed for eating but nearly everyone was having something to eat. It certainly looks more like a pub than most JDWs inside and out. There are just six hand pumps which had the JDW Trio Of Doom, Hammerpot Mosaic Pale, Upham Autumn Leaves and Goddard's Fuggle Dee Dum. I went for the Hammerpot Beer (£2.45) which was in good condition. I quite like both Fareham Spoons but have a very slight preference for the more typical Lord Arthur Lee as it has more beers on.

An average JDW housed in a former inn and brewhouse dating from the 1840s in Fareham High Street's pedestrianised area which has declined in quality over the last coupe of years. I found it crowded, cramped and smelly. It's divided into two main areas, a bar and a dining area, both carpeted. There is a collection of guilded mirrors on the walls and some nice chandeliers, but other wise the decor was unremarkable. The staff were apathetic. There were 5 ales on: I had a pint of Double Helix which was too cold but otherwse fine. Worth dropping in for a pint if in the area.

The Crown Inn page at the Wetherspoon site - www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk

The more appealing of the two 'spoons in Fareham's main street, housed in a historic inn which still retains a reasonable amount character following the transformation. Two main rooms, with the usual furniture and decor. Only six handpumps, offering the usual suspects plus Wychwood Scarecrow (£2.35). (NB - Review dates from August 2011.)

The Crown Inn page at the Wetherspoon site - www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk