Ivy House (JD Wetherspoon), Alton

Modern Spoons (opened 2015) in a strange conversion, from an old GII listed town house at the front through to a converted office building via a glazed atrium. This means that it’s a truly multi-roomed place over several levels, with a different character in each though wood, green and cream shades predominate. Clean, tidy and upmarket inside, with a light and airy feel all over (unlike many a JDW) as well as a nice courtyard patio. 12 pumps but a lot of doubling-up, the true guests were all local - Surrey Hills Greensands IPA (fair shape, maybe a little flat), Triple FFF Moondance and Weltons Red Fire Monkey. Barman had just started the shift and seemed keen on his beer. Ate here and the food came out in double-quick time and in better order than normal. Overall, this was one of the most pleasant Spoons I’ve been into for a long time and it’s an ideal base camp before setting off to explore the other pubs in this nice little market town.

Newly opened,In fact building work was still going on with some scaffolding still on part of the outside,half of the pub is housed in an older building (not sure if it was a former pub or not, I don't recall one there in the past) with some character and the other half a quite modern newly built add on, with both together it makes for a fairly large establishment.The interior is modern with white walls and ceiling and mid Brown wood paneling and beams. The bar is situated on the higher, newer end and down a few steps into the older bit are several seating areas.12 pumps on the bar with a reasonably decent range but they didn't appear to be from the current beer festival.I only stayed for one drink here, Triple fff Citra Sonic which was a little on the flat side. Not bad as Spoons go but not a place I personally would make a bee line for in the future.