The William Morris (Lloyds No 1), Hammersmith, W6

As described below, this a pretty standard Spoons. Quite full with Leeds fans on the way to Fulham when I called in. I couldn't see much of the bar but it looked like 3 or 4 guests on. I went for a Woodston IPA which was fine. Not a bad pub.

This is a typical London Wetherspoons branch with a prime location just off Hammersmith Broadway which has been branded as a Lloyds No 1 bar. Some nice, well-tended hanging baskets on the front of the building make the place feel quite enticing as you pass, but once inside, you’re confronted with a rather dated looking example of the chain. A central walkway from the King Street entrance has sizeable seating areas to either side, with a carpeted high table and stool area to your right and a bare boarded raised section to the left, full of standard tables and chairs. Several wood-clad pillars break up the front space, many of which have been decorated with modern pieces of art or the usual ‘Spoons local history boards. The walls also have plenty of dark wood panels, which helps make the place feel like a proper pub, perhaps even a bit cosy, which isn’t something you’d normally associate with a Lloyd’s No 1 bar. The panelling continues down the right-hand side of the room, all the way to the rear where another entrance can be found. The servery is along the rear wall too, starting from the point where the pub turns 90 degrees to the left, and it has a nice dark wood counter with some mosaic tile inserts and a typical mirrored bar back. Further seating can be found here, including some high tables and stools in the area directly around the bar, eventually giving way to banquette booths as you move further to the left, and eventually a raised seating area with plenty more tables and chairs next to a third entrance. Ten handpulls offered five ‘Spoons regulars and just three guest ales, with two pumps out of action. I tried the Oakham JHB, which was good, as was the service, which was prompt and friendly, despite some hefty crowds around the bar when I first arrived. I also stopped here for a quick bite to eat and, as always, the food was out nice and quickly and represented good value for money. I felt like I’d gone back in time when I stepped into this place, as it has the feel of a late ‘90’s Wetherspoons and is very much out of step with the sort of venue they seem to prefer these days. I quite liked that the place has a proper pub-feel to it, but I’m not sure it really achieved anything above and beyond that. It’s a reliable option when you’re looking for a quick drink or bite to eat in this part of town, but better all-round pub experiences can be had elsewhere.

A less than exciting modern exterior, particularly compared to the Swan next door, but inside is fairly comfortable and larger than you might expect, zig-zagging round the bar to further areas and a back entrance behind. And yes, Ray, there are numerous nods to Willam Morris himself, including sample displays but mainly the whole carpet which is to one of his original wallpaper designs! (see previous review). Of the two banks of handpumps, one seemed to be devoted to the regular stuff with the other carrying mainly guests. A reasonably pleasant Spoons.