The William Webb Ellis (JD Wetherspoon), Twickenham

Ah, the "William Webb Ellis" pub, what a good bar! A very long bar...! And the bar service is generally pretty good, even when its busy. And it was busy this last weekend, it's a rugby pub (...obviously! hence the name...!) and there was some local rugby event on the tv screens when I popped in (...to see the football..!) Harlequins were playing - so no chance of seeing any footy that afternoon! I tried a pint of "That's Real Lager"...(or something along those lines) by "Brewdog" and I was pleasantly surprised by what a nice pint of lager it was! Try it sometime. (It has a fairly distinctive black+yellow label on the pump, very similar to the "Meantime Brewery" London Lager logo, and perhaps a main competitor - but it was good)! The place was obviously busy with plenty of middle-aged, middle class rugby fanatics, and it was hard to actually find a spare seat. But I found a rather nice, high-backed leather armchair near the main doors as you come in. And I turned it in the space available to face the tv on the wall above, to watch some of the rugby (..you have to, in the Webb Ellis)! But a bit like "Rex Rattus" experience below (17/10/14) I couldn't reach my pint easily on the nearest ledge, about 2 foot above my head! AND...there was this air-con unit thing immediately above, dumping loads of cold air right onto me, from a great height..! And it was a blinking cold enough day as it was thanks! :o(

This pub has a similar layout to most high street ‘spoons, being a relatively narrow fronted conversion which has been considerably extended and/or opened up to the rear. It has the usual row of tall tables/tall stools running down the centre of the room, plus sufficient normal tables and chairs for those wanting to eat, but many more armchairs than you normally expect to see in a ‘spoons. There is an unusual feature down at the back – an open, circular coal effect fire, with a hood above it of course, surrounded by high sided bucket armchairs and low tables. For some reason I sat at one of these, but found it a bit like lying in a bath. I couldn’t reach my beer, nor had enough room for my arms to be able move to write in my notebook. I should have known better – I had to move. It’s OK in here. If you know what ‘spoons are like you won’t be surprised.

The 'William Webb Ellis'...(something to do with rugby...!) is a good pub. With a rather long bar, and with sufficient staff you shouldn't have to wait too long to get served. I found the staff efficient, if lacking in personality somewhat - but that was mainly because they didn't look old enough to BE in a pub, let alone working there! (Say it how it is TJ...!) But I like WWE, and I will always pop in when passing to or from the railway station, for a quick aperitif. One word of warning... WATCH OUT for the Everest climb up the stairs to the toilets! After a few ESB's...you won't make it down safely...!!! :o(

William Webb Ellis page at the Wetherspoon site - www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk