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Disappointment of the week with Mobyduck on the Pub Forum

The William Rufus (Lloyds No. 1), Carlisle

10 Botchergate
Carlisle
CA1 1QS
Phone: 01228633160

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Pub Type

Lloyds No. 1 (J D Wetherspoon)

Reviews (Current Rating Average: of 10) Add Review see review guidelines


Quinno _ left this review about The William Rufus (Lloyds No. 1)

The Lloyds No.1 and non-GBG version of the two Spoons almost next door to each other. Looks like a mid-00's interior of the Scandi variety - mid brown wood, clean lines, maroon finish and pretty tidy if slightly nightclub over two levels. Clientele a bit more ‘Carlisle’ than its sister pub, I overheard a convo about the local lunatic’s latest scrap and noted a teenage boy making a very strange call, who I suspect will be on the Sex Offenders Register before too long. At the bar my first want of Plum Porter was off, still leaving a surprising three guest casks and my consolation Kirby Lonsdale Tiffin Gold was fine (NBSS 3). Gratifyingly the PP was pulled through as I nursed my original choice, and a resultant pint of it was another solid NBSS 3. I didn’t venture in again over the rest of my three day stay in the town but did notice that it certainly gets lively in an evening, with bouncers on the door. But for a mid-afternoon pint it was agreeable enough. 6.5

On 7th February 2024 - rating: 7
[User has posted 5072 recommendations about 5055 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Old Boots left this review about The William Rufus (Lloyds No. 1)

One of two ‘spoons in the city centre, square inside rather than long and thin, the front wall is typically all windows and doors. Three floor levels to choose from on the ground floor and there’s an upstairs too. Limited on the ale front with a 5x2 set up, heavily duplicated on my visit with the usual suspects plus two guests, one local and one from Arundel. Short measure by a long way on my pint, actually short even for a half litre. Pretty busy on my Friday lunchtime call with a standard line up of ‘spoons type punters, maybe a few more interesting characters than some outlets. Service fine even in the time of plague, beer quality average to good (NBSS 2.5).

On 20th September 2020 - no rating submitted
[User has posted 3230 recommendations about 2939 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Aqualung . left this review about The William Rufus (Lloyds No. 1)

The only good thing about this Spoons compared to the other one nearby is that the beer prices are cheaper. It's got a more modern decor but it's a Lloyds with a lighting rig which points to it transforming itself into Hell on Earth after about 21:00. To make things worse it also has TV screens which provide revenue to that pariah Rupert Murdoch. Soon after sitting down here somebody decided it would be a good idea to lower a big screen and show that bloke from Countdown and others blathering on about football. The good news was that the sound wasn't turned up but the bad news was that seconds later loud music started playing.
The bar has eight hand pumps but little choice, the two GK beers and Doom Bore, a cider, Deuchar's IPA and saving the day Cumberland Corby Blonde which I had just tried in the other Spoons. I went for that (£1.99) and it was as good as in the one down the road. Now I've been here and seen what it's like I won't darken it's doors again.

On 30th November 2015 - rating: 4
[User has posted 2143 recommendations about 2143 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The William Rufus (JD Wetherspoon)

Modern 'L'-shaped conversion of no particular distinction. Having said that, there was at least a reasonable selection of real ales from the ten handpumps (including the local Corby Fox brown, £2.29). Quite quiet when I visited early on a Friday evening, but very 'lively' when I walked past again later on...

On 15th March 2014 - rating: 6
[User has posted 8086 recommendations about 8086 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


peter ashworth left this review about The William Rufus (JD Wetherspoon)

Called in after the races while the beer festival was on and tried a pint of the TSA Double expresso wild oat stout (4.8 abv)which was far to oatey for me, so i switched to Woodforde's Once Bittern (4.1)which was a good pint

On 9th November 2010 - no rating submitted
[User has posted 2318 recommendations about 2275 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Gill Smith left this review about The William Rufus (JD Wetherspoon)

Called in as it was on my route and suprised to find a decent choice of beer other than the usual suspects. Enjoyed Cumberland Breweries Corby Ale, a new brewery for me, and Jennings Lakeland Stunner.

On 26th August 2010 - rating: 6
[User has posted 1339 recommendations about 1222 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


ROB Camra left this review about The William Rufus (JD Wetherspoon)

Great for watching football with loads of big screens. Also has loads of lowlifes later on. A couple of scummers were smoking in here the other week and the manager/door staff were too scared of them to do anything about it. Not the greatest pint of ale in the world but it's OK. Hen night capital of Carlisle on a Thursday.

On 27th April 2010 - rating: 4
[User has posted 3223 recommendations about 3134 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


William Purnell left this review about The William Rufus (JD Wetherspoon)

A Lloyds No1 Bar in the Wetherspoon stable

On 18th October 2009 - no rating submitted
[User has posted 218 recommendations about 205 pubs]