The Red Lion & Pineapple (JD Wetherspoon), Acton, W3

This pub probably dates back to the late 19th century, the name arising from the fact that until 1906, it was two pubs: the Pineapple and Red Lion, a large statue of a red lion straddling the parapet of the corner sweep is clearly visible. Nothing obvious from the original interior seems to remain, with a typical ‘spoons interior and fairly bright lighting. The bar is central, with the usual pan-national drain pour pumps off to the right, meaning that the good stuff is presented to the drinker if entering from the central door. Where this pub does differ from its brethren is that the tables were clean and cleared, no staggering all-day drinkers, though customers were mixed. Aside from the usual suspects, there were six pups drawing Hobgoblin, Oakham Citra, Elgood’s Gold, Purity UBU, Brewster’s Aromantica and Titanic Plum Porter at just £1.29 a half and superb, served by a friendly barman. I’m not a great fan of ‘spoons, but some do have a very good ale selection, e.g., the Barrel Vault, and this place is probably the best I’ve visited, but the lack of a traditional pub experience is a shame.

Wedge-shaped building (with a curious semi-circular single-storey extension instead of an angled end) in a prominent corner position on the main road. As a traditional pub, isn't obviously a 'spoons either externally or (more surprisingly, perhaps) within. Features a triangular island bar, with further seating in a back room to one side and a patio area to the rear on the other. Large windows, so not much wall space for decoration. Reasonable selection of real ales from total of nine handpumps, including a very acceptable Dark Star Hophead at just £2.29.

This large Wetherspoons venue on Acton High Street was previously a Fullers pub and takes its unusual name from two local pubs that were demolished to build Acton tram depot which was itself demolished in 2010. The pub has an unusual layout, comprising one large, almost circular room with a huge island servery in the centre, and a smaller rectangular room to the rear. Seating in the main bar area is predominantly restricted to high tables and stools around the perimeter, a small handful of regular tables and chairs and a couple of padded bench booths with attractive stained glass partitioning screens. The room is nice and bright thanks to the large windows running around three sides of the room, all with bright, colourful glass inserts. Bunting and flags decorated the room in order to promote an upcoming beer festival and towards the rear there were a few interesting old photos of the local area. Moving into the raised rear seating area, some more booths and banquettes provide comfortable options to relax over a pint whilst enjoying the view out to the busy junction outside. There is a nice fireplace at one end of the room and the walls in here are decorated with more local photos, newspaper clippings and some Rebus puzzles that were positioned too high to be able to solve them. There are also a couple of paintings of lions, which compliment the large lion above the main entrance and the other statues on the bar counter. I failed to spot a pineapple equivalent though. The beer options were a little underwhelming, with the various banks of hand pumps offering three 'Spoons regulars, three 'Coming Soon' clips and just the two guest ales, with one turned clip on the final pump. I tried a pint of the Windsor and Eton Guardsman which was in undeniably good shape. The bar staff seemed a no-nonsense bunch, coping well with a rough bunch of customers propping up one end of the bar, whist the waiting staff were very friendly, helping an old lady sort out a taxi home. I quite liked this place, especially the rear seating area which I found had more of a pub-feel to it than the open plan bar area. The guest options were a little disappointing, but a limited offering was offset by a very good quality pint, which is always fine by me. One of Wetherspoons better pubs and up there with the best I found during a mini-crawl round Acton.

As stated by previous reviewers, this 'spoons is housed in an original pub - and judging by the name is a combination of two old liquor licences. As 'spoons go this is a good one. As is usually the case with pubs these days, there's a central island bar in the main room surrounded by comfortable furnishings, which has avoided it looking like the drinking barns of most 'spoons conversion pubs. There's a separate room at the back end, reached up a step or two, and which contains one or two booths and more normal tables and chairs. We were in at around 11.30, but didn't notice any of the groups of all day drinkers seen in many 'spoons. Beer prices seem to be at the cheaper end of the 'spoons pricing spectrum as well, with guest ales at £2.05 a pint, and with the traditional breakfast at £3.09. I like this pub quite a lot, and reckon that if I lived locally I would be a regular visitor.