The Samuel Peto (JD Wetherspoon), Folkestone

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

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

This converted gospel hall is impressive inside with its ornate architectural features, grand church organ and wonderful painted ceilings. What a pity JDW doesn't live up to the setting. The staff were young and highly inefficient, even by JDW standards. There were 5 ales on, I had a pint of Whitstable Brewery's Black Lager which was much, much too cold. There is far too much competition nearby for JDW to let this business stay so suboptimally managed.

The building that the Samuel Peto is housed in is quite grand from the outside with ten steps that lead up to the entrance. I walked past it twice before realising that it was the pub I was looking for. I suppose that the façade looks more like the entrance to an old government building rather than a McSpoons. The interior is also very grand although not as big as I was expecting as I pushed through the massive front doors. Directly in front of the entrance is an iron staircase that leads up to a gallery and down to the toilets. The gallery and horseshoe bar area both have booths that line the exterior walls. I counted ten hand pumps on the bar that were drawing a mix of usual Spoon’s suspects as well as some guest beers. There is also a standard draught range and cheap food is available. This place is a bit different and worth a look if in the area.