The New Cross Turnpike (JD Wetherspoon), Welling

This reasonably large Wetherspoons pub on the main drag through Welling was previously a Natwest Bank - something not entirely apparent from its present layout, which sees an unusual three tier, split level set-up. You enter into the large ground floor area with a curved servery over to the rear left. A mix of quarry stone, carpet and mosaic tile flooring helps create areas which feel a little different from one another, as opposed to the usual uniformity of Wetherspoons design and décor. There is loads of standard seating, including on a raised, bare boarded area to the left which also boasts bookshelves and a TV screen showing rolling news coverage. A front mezzanine area looks down over the main bar and seating area, whilst stairs at the rear of the room lead up to two further seating areas. The first of these is relatively small, with a drinking ledge and high stools overlooking the main bar area, a long banquette serving two tables, exposed brickwork and a few modern art prints on show. The top level meanwhile has standard tables and chairs plus a couple of booths, a rather bland colour scheme and some floral wallpaper. Access to a rear outdoor seating area can surprisingly be gained from up here. Although the pub doesn't have the opulence of the city centre 'Spoons bank conversions, I did still feel that the place looked a lot classier that your average suburban Wetherspoons branch and enjoyed a relatively relaxing pint in comfortable surrounds. The bar supports twelve handpulls which were dispensing five 'Spoons regular ales and five guests, leaving two pumps unclipped. Having literally just read about their beer in the London Drinker magazine, I was pleased to find Bexley Brewery's 'Redhouse' on one of the pumps and enjoyed a well kept pint of it. The pub is apparently one of the best places to catch this relatively new brewery's beers. I was pleasantly surprised by this visit and could quite happily have stayed here for a couple more. It was starting to get a little hectic on my Saturday evening visit, so can imagine there are good and bad times to visit, but I left with a favourable impression and thought it was a good contrast to the nearby Door Hinge micropub.

Named after a local Turnpike Trust Compnay who managed the toll road income that went a fair way into developing the local infrastructure, this is a reasonably sized, fairly modern style Wetherspoons with an reasonably appealing interior that is certainly less representative of the chain than the norm. The larger front area has a raised section to the left with bookcases and one of the 2 muted TV’s present. The angled bar is centrally located ahead and beyond this, a few steps lead to some additional seating and a small patio at the rear. Stairs near the main entrance lead up to a curved balcony and a surprrisngly pleasant and secretive roof garden. There is a good deal of natural light emenating from the largely glazed frontage and skylights making the place feel quite airy. The beers and food are the usual ‘Spoons offerings with 4 or 5 guest beers across the 12 pumps ranging from some the ruglar suspects to a few more obscure micro choices and some middle range stuff not commonly attributed to the chain. I’ve never had any problems with service and whilst Welling isn’t the most luxurious area, I have never seen any major issues with customer behavior. Overall, one of the more aesthetically pleasant ‘Spoons outlets in my experience and certainly one of Welling’s better drinking options.