The Red Lion (JD Wetherspoon), Doncaster

A very large spoons with a counter down the left hand side, usual seating arrangements and upstairs long distance hike to toilets. Rammed on a race day, so couldn’t see much not even the garden room down the side, fortunately I got behind a fat lass so was able to follow her to the counter with her clearing the way.

The Red Lion page on the JD Wetherspoon website - www.jdwetherspoon.com

The Red Lion page on the JD Wetherspoon website - www.jdwetherspoon.com

Refurbished since my previous visit. The bar is now "to the back and to the left". Some horse racing memorabilia dotted about.

This is one of JDW's hotels but on my arrival here on a Saturday afternoon it seemed like any other rammed town JDW. It was converted to one of their hotels in 2015 and greatly extended. It was long, narrow and hopelessly busy. I noticed the twelve hand pumps had the IPA version of the JDW Trio Of Doom, an Old Mill beer, Springhead Roaring Meg, a couple available soon and North Cotswold Spring OSM. I went for the Roaring Meg (£2.25) which was excellent. I was put off by the fact that it was so busy but I suspect it's normally OK.

A much-larger-than-it-initially-looks 'spoons on the southern edge of the Market Place, with a single-storey modern extension at the back of historic inn frontage. A mix of furniture and decor in a variety of styles in the various seating / dining areas. Also has a substantial side and rear patio beer garden divided into separate areas for smokers and non-gaspers. Not a bad selection of real ales from ten of 12 handpumps, including five festival beers and the 6.6 % Exmoor Beast at a remarkable £1.59 as a manager's special, but I opted for the more-local Dukeries Mining Stout (£2.09).

The Red Lion is certainly one of the more appealing Wetherspoons, helped by the fact that it was already a pub with a 260 year history to start with as opposed to being a converted carpet shop or bike showroom. Situated on the historic market place, the interior is deceptively large and quite spacious. The front bar has a loungey section around a cosy fireplace with the now ubiquitous tub chairs whilst the rest of the pub has a more traditional ‘Spoonslike feel although with a bit more character than most. Given the depth of the rear section you would expect it to be a bit dark and claustrophobic but a sunken skylight gives it a welcome burst of natural light. The usual history snippets make interesting reading and the town's horse racing connections are represented by a board listing post war winning runners and riders of the St Leger. The pub excels with its guest ales (usually 5 available) which are all sourced from local brewers as evidenced from the labeled map on the pillar by the bar. The 5 on offer on my visit included York Centurian, Thornbridge Wild Swan, Daleside Pride Of England, Elland Savannah and Acorn Old Moor Porter. One minor gripe is that the hand pumps are spread across the length of the bar so it is better to check the barely noticeable board listing the ales rather than attempt to eye up the pump clips (which I prefer). The place can also proudly boast being the local Pub of the Year for 2009 and for that alone, is well worth a visit even for non Spoons fans.

An existing pub taken over by wetherspoons. Horseshoe shaped bar serves usual wetherspoons selection and deals. Horseracing memorabilia on the walls. One of three wetherspoons within walking distance of each other in central Doncaster.