The Golden Hope (JD Wetherspoon), Sittingbourne

The Golden Hope is a Wetherspoons in an old repurposed building with front steps that lead up to a patio area that runs across the front and the entrance to the right that leads to the bar area. The counter up the left faces an open plan sunken extension with seating in the right-hand portion of the building. There’s a wheelchair lift so I imagine there is step free access to the building from the right hand-side. To the left, behind the bar counter, is a corridor off which three snugs can be accessed. Further left is more open plan seating and throughout is exposed brick to give the feeling that one isn’t in central Sittingbourne. The bar counter supports two banks of duplicate hand pumps that were drawing the usual suspects plus Rudgate’s Vanilla Mild, Adnams Dos Peros (which apparently is brewed exclusively for JDW) and a decent pint of Steel & Oak Brewery’s Easy Stout. The service was polite and the interior is interesting so I’d pop back in if passing.

An incredibly complicated Spoons with little bits of rooms in all directions connected by assorted stairs and lifts. Even the front terrace is served by a complicated arrangement of steps. Other than that it is all fairly standard Spoons stuff and there were only 3 guest ales on, despite being in the middle of a festival. A little disappointing.

Another JDW Hotel Stay - just as good as the other night in Rochester. Lovely Hotels. In a week of walking in Kent, we had the best pint(s) of the trip here. Hopdeamon Skirmshader is LocALE and it was kept in absolutely perfect condition here. Quick service off the app. Well prepared food. Architecturally interesting - think it used to be the court/police station. Just might be my favourite 'spoons.

This is a rather unusual Wetherspoon's. Apparently, it used to be a courthouse. It still has several different rooms, in addition to some old cells. It reminded me of the Bridewell in Liverpool. Toilets are up a spiral staircase with stone walls, reminiscent of a castle turret. The pub was busy and we had watched with amusement at some of the goings on from the safety of Donna's Ale House across the road. We managed to enter without having to queue and seemingly without the difficulties other people were having. After ordering (the choice was Greene King Abbot, Ruddles Best, Sharp's Doom Bar, Shepherd Neame Spitfire, Exmoor Gold, Brain's SA & Gwynt y Ddraig Black Dragon), the cause of the difficulties became apparent. As we were exiting the bar, a woman strode through shouting track and trace at the bar staff. Her approach to everything seemed to be a touch too officious and was not something I'd witnessed in a Wetherspoon's before, even since pubs have re-opened. In my experience, most 'spoon's have been fairly relaxed, which is how I prefer a pub to be. The approach here did at least provide some amusement. But before preaching about Covid-19 precautions, please at least consider practicing good cleaning. Lipstick on glasses is not really acceptable in this day and age.

Impressive old buildings, formerly comprising the police station and courts, named after a local 19th-century Thames sailing barge. The main entrance is located up a half-flight of steps, and having passed across a small front terrace you enter a slightly split-level interior that initially seems less spacious than one might expect. However, as you explore the multi-room layout further you find all kinds of different seating / dining areas and the hotel reception. Decent selection of real ales from the two banks of six handpumps, including the Sambrook's Flat White Stout (£2.19) from amongst the choice of eight festival beers. A pleasant surprise.

Official site of The Golden Hope (JD Wetherspoon) - www.jdwetherspoon.com

Official site of The Golden Hope (JD Wetherspoon) - www.jdwetherspoon.com

This is one of JDW's newest offerings. It's a Hotel as well as being an outlet for their drinks and food. As seems to be typical with their more recent openings it bears little resemblance to the identikit shop conversions from the 1990s. The old Cop Shop and Courts take up the whole of the corner of Park Road and West Street. Inside it's something of a labyrinth of small drinking areas and corridors with outside patios at the front and rear. There is much exposed brickwork and the furnishings are better than the typical mix of JDW tables and chairs usually found. The majority of people seemed to be here for food although a table of women near where I sat had no food or any drinks for the entire time I was there. The bar is on the left after ascending the staircase in West Street that forms the main entrance. There are two sets of six hand pumps but the beer selection wasn't all it could be as there was one unused, one with a cider, the two GK beers, Doom Bore, two Festival ales available soon, four festival ales and one solitary local beer Rockin' Robin Blizzard of Oz. I went for the Blizzard of Oz (£2.49) which was in excellent condition. Prices here are unsurprisingly a bit dearer than the norm with the Standard Guest Ale price being £2.49 and the food clubs being around £0.50 to £1.50 dearer. Other food items seemed to be the same or slightly more expensive. It's well worth a look but I marginally preferred the more old school Spoons at the other side of town.