The Mannamead (JD Wetherspoon), Mutley, Plymouth

A fairly featureless Spoons, with an awkward layout (a huge pillar in the centre that goes back the length of almost half the pub) and tables barely 2 ft apart. Blue, pink and cream colours and that's about it. Just two bar staff despite being full of footy fans for the ‘win and they are champions’ PAFC home game – I joined the long queue and still beat the app by a good 10 minutes. Two guest cask, from Titanic and Exmoor. The Exmore Pale, when I finally got it, was pretty good (NBSS 3.5). I guess this one does a job for the locals but it is all barely perfunctory when you’ve done as many Timbo Taverns as I have. 4.5

The Mannamead is a relatively small Wetherspoons in a student area of Plymouth so was busy with dining students. The bar on the wall to the right of the entrance supports ten handpumps, three of which were not mainstream. Standard and premium keg was also available, as well as the JDW food menu. I had a burger which was cheap and did the job. Past the bar at the rear is an open plan seating area and out the back is a seating area with some covered seating. The service was polite, but I won’t be rushing back to this area again.

I was surprised to learn that this was a former bank as I had it down as a shop conversion. It's not an impressive bank conversion like some of their outlets. It has an unusual layout with a small bar area at the front and a larger area behind with a higher ceiling. There are ten hand pumps which had the JDW Trio Of Doom with Ruddles doubled, one available soon, Bays Devon Dumpling & Gold, Prescott Hill Climb, Blindman Mine Beer and the obligatory Dartmoor Jail Ale. I went for the Bays Gold (£2.35) which was in good nick. I thought this one was OK but I may have been a bit unlucky with a rather dull beer choice.

Official site of The Mannamead (JD Wetherspoon) - www.jdwetherspoon.com

Official site of The Mannamead (JD Wetherspoon) - www.jdwetherspoon.com

An unremarkable Wethys bank conversion situated about a mile from the city centre on Mutley plain. On entry the small bar is to the right and beyond this no features of any note.