The Cross Keys (JD Wetherspoon), Beverley

I'm not quite sure how I've missed this branch of Wetherspoon's on my previous trips to Beverley. Despite being centrally located, it was not a pub I'd visited previously. The pub has a much more traditional feel than most 'spoon's having been a pub previously. You walk through a number of different sections to get to the bar at the rear, which gives a much more cosy and relaxed feel than most of the chain's branches which tend to be open-plan and echoey. An orderly queue had formed at the bar. Whether that's a regular local thing in this branch, I'm not sure, but it's always quite irritating, especially when you tow the line and other (more sensible) drinkers wander along to the bar and get served first! Nevertheless, after multiple tea, coffee and food orders, I managed to get to the bar to order. The usual Sharp's Doom Bar, Ruddles Best & Greene King Abbot were all on, along with their Abbot Reserve. Other guests were Portobello Central Line Red & Butcombe Gold. The cider was Weston's Old Rosie. Despite this being my third pub of the day, it was my first drink and a good hangover cure. The Central Line Red was in reasonable condition.

An upmarket JDW with great use of the space, giving the feel of multiple rooms, even though they're all connected. A very pleasant beer garden, with several booths, which is where we sat in the sunlight. Friendly and efficient staff, so easy to get served. My pint of Redemption Urban Dusk was in very good nick. We came back later and decided to eat here. Different staff, same efficient service. Obviously a good manager in this one. My mixed grill was well cooked with none of the tomato nonsense you often get in a JDW i.e. raw and cold or charcoaled. Overall very impressed. One of the best I've been in for a while.

Tucked slightly on a back road off the main street, this is a fairly new JDW. The aged exterior has been given a tasteful scrub and it looks inviting. It's a rambling, multi-room interior with plenty of different seating areas. The bar is at the far end, well-lit due the large skylight and is adjacent a nice courtyard garden. 10 pumps with a mix of Spoons stagers and guests with a couple of ciders thrown in and all were available. My pint of Cheshire Elderflower was in good shape. Service was prompt and efficient. A good Wetherspoon on this showing and worth a place on the pretty competitive ‘do’ list for Beverley.