The Bell Hanger (JD Wetherspoon), Chepstow

Decent spoons in the middle of town. The usual beers plus a few dark ales including Naylor's Velvet, GWB Black Flower Vanilla Stout and Bagby Asphalt Jungle. I tried the latter and it was fine.

Called in here to start our tour round pubs in Gwent and found it extremely busy due to the Rugby match showing on the TV's. Usual ales on and a couple from Wye Valley, plus Untapped UPA, 2 from Great Western, Moose Valley and Hambrook. The Hambrook was OK. Split level with entrances on two streets front and rear.

This is a single storey split level pub consisting of two former shops on different streets that have been knocked into one large low ceilinged room. I entered via Nelson Street which includes a pleasant patio. It seemed to be doing a good trade of mostly food on my early afternoon visit. There are two banks of five hand pumps which had one unused, the JDW Trio Of Doom doubled up, Brain's SA & SA Gold and Strathaven Winter Glow. I went for the Winter Glow (£2.15) which was in good nick. It seemed a shame that a limited beer choice let this one down.

Set in the heart of Chepstow town centre, this is a split level Wetherspoons pub seemingly created by knocking through two buildings that back on to each other, allowing access from either end of the pub. Entering through the lower side, you find yourself in a spacious seating area, carpeted throughout and with some quite fancy wallpaper on show. Almost all of the seating down here is in the shape of standard tables and chairs and there is a large fireplace to one side with a number of modern art prints dotted around elsewhere. The décor is rounded out with a high set of bookshelves, large potted plants, smart light fixtures and a couple of TV screens showing rolling news channels. Steps lead up to a mid section – presumably the part of the pub built to join the two buildings together. This is a part tile, part carpeted area with a bit of a conservatory feel to it thanks to the glass roof that creates a bright and airy atmosphere. Standard and tub chair seating is arranged under a series of old black and white photos of the local area, and a door leads out to a small patio space for smokers and al-fresco drinking. Moving on through the pub, you reach the main bar area with the servery down the right hand side, high tables and stools opposite and padded banquettes on the left wall, some of which have been formed into nice looking booths. This area is remarkably dark, especially if you’ve previously been sat in the central conservatory space, and I found this very off-putting and wondered why anyone would choose to sit in this section during daylight hours. Each table throughout the pub had been neatly laid with sheets detailing the breakfast deals, a copy of Wetherspoons News and the International Beer Festival programme, which I thought was a nice touch. I counted ten hand pumps at the bar, supporting six guest ales, three ‘Spoons regulars and one real cider. The barman who served me was slightly eccentric but incredibly friendly and I got the overall impression that the staff here care about their work and put the effort in to provide good customer service. Having arrived very early on a mid-week morning, I turned down the option of a beer and settled for a mug of tea to accompany my breakfast. This is a fairly typical Wetherspoons with little to distinguish it from branches in other similar sized towns. The main bonus for me was the friendly service and attention to detail which probably mark the place out as worthy of a look if you’re in town.