The Eight Bells (JD Wetherspoon), Dover

Older style spoons that by 12.30pm was packed, lots of families eating and an older clientele enjoying the cheap booze. Service was swift with the bar staff displaying a knowledge of who was next and serving promptly. 12 hand pumps with 7 different ales on, my pint of Old Diary’s Gold Top was perfect. Low level apart from the small mezzanine level to the rear that also houses the toilets. Nice enough ‘spoons, cheap beer, ideal location with an roped area on the pavement for smokers and people that want to sit outside.

This is very much an old school 1990s Spoons situated in the pedestrian precinct opposite St Mary's Church which is where the name came from. As noted below it is a lot larger inside than the frontage would suggest with a raised area on the right at the rear which also leads to the toilets which are on the same level. As you would expect there's a low ceiling, wood used in abundance, typical furnishings and a few alcoves. There are eight large bells hanging from the ceiling as you enter. In view of the fact that this is GBG 2017 listed it was disappointing to see three Available Soon offerings but at least there was no doubling up. The other nine were the JDW Trio Of Doom, a cider, GK Abbot Reserve, Ringwood Red Boar, Welton's Hop Burst, Naylor's Blonde and Milestone Boston Bitter. I went for the Abbot Reserve (£2.25) which I was pleased to see was at the standard guest ale price. Despite the Available Soon options I liked this Spoons and it was easily the best of three visited on the day.

A very non-descript typical Wetherspoons