The Hedgeford Lodge (JD Wetherspoon), Cannock

As described below, the impressive exterior belies the slightly cramped nature of the interior, but keep looking and you will find a selection of little seating areas. Beers seemed in good condition.

Very striking building, dating from 1831, and quite at odds with anything in the vicinity. The interior layout is rather awkward since many of the walls remain with just narrow passageways between a number of small seating / dining areas beyond the bar. However, for the better weather (not today), there is a sizeable patio beer garden at the front. Reasonable selection in a range of styles from the two banks of six handpumps, from which I went for the Vale Brewery Black Beauty porter (£2.55).

This is an extraordinary JDW being a conversion of a 19th Century mansion. Shortly after leaving the Railway Station and passing a supermarket you are confronted by the large white building on the right with green lawns leading up to it. Sadly the lawn with seats and tables on has been replaced with astro turf. You enter on the right side of the building into a wooden floored bar area with tall tables and chairs and the bar at the end. There is an alcove and shelves with bar stools and on the right a smoking patio. The rest of the building over to the left is a labyrinth of carpeted rooms of various sizes with some nice wood panelling. What a contrast from my local 1990s furniture shop conversion. On my midday visit most people were in for food. The bar has two sets of six hand pumps that had the JDW Trio Of Doom, a cider Available Soon, seven festival ales and Oakham St Bibiana. I went for the St Bibiana and the Hanlon's Port Stout, both in first class condition. I thought this was an outstanding Spoons, my only complaint being the astro turf in the garden. It's one of the best I've been to.

Large Wetherspoons that gets very popular. Unudually it has a multitude of separate rooms, using what was the local Porperty Developers HQ. A nice buildingand carefully done.

Official page of The Hedgeford Lodge - www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk

Official page of The Hedgeford Lodge - www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk