The Bear - Melksham

Visited 21st October 2014.

Mrs S. is working and I have a week off so I thought I would have a little bit of a day out and pay a visit to three pubs down towards the south west. The first of the three for today is The Bear. The original plan was to get up early and then take a leisurely drive arriving in plenty of time for a nice unhurried breakfast. The reality of course was that I went to bed late, got up late, set off late and arrived late! Severn minutes late to be exact. In the past I've arrive as little as one minute late and been told "sorry, we stop serving breakfast at 12". Luckily there was none of that nonsense today and it wasn't long before I was sat down with a hot traditional breakfast and a pint of Pepsi in front of me. In fact the order was taken efficiently, the food arrived quickly and with a smile and someone came to check that everything was okay. Looking around the pub you could see that it was busy with quite a few people eating but there were no tables waiting to be cleared and there was even someone refilling the milk jug and tidying a few empty sugar wrappers away. The pub had a very pleasant feel to it and I definitely enjoyed my visit.

© John Sinner. None of the material contained in this post, or this blog as a whole, may be reproduced without the express and written permission of John Sinner. All rights reserved.

The William Dampier - Yeovil

Visited 8th March 2014.

We have a friend in Exeter that has invited us to stay for the weekend so we were up early this morning intending to try and make the three-ish hour journey in less than six hours while visiting up to three Wetherspoon pubs on the way. As usual we didn't manage to set off quite as early as we had planned so we reached the first pub on our trip a little later than we intended. After parking up we made our way to the pub, which turned out to be quite busy. Thanks to an efficient and very friendly bar lady we were served quickly and were soon sitting down enjoying a traditional breakfast and a large latte each. The pub was narrower and longer than I expected from looking at it from the outside but was bright and comfortable and we maybe stayed a little longer than we should have. As it turned out this would have a knock on effect later!

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The Bole Bridge - Tamworth

Visited 12th May 2012.

It's been a few months now since we've had any sort of break so we thought that a weekend away might be in order. A quick visit to Groupon a few weeks earlier had resulted in a coupon for a hotel somewhere near Birmingham. I had spent a fair bit of time planning a route (straight up the M40) and producing a list of pubs to visit, eleven in all spread over two days. Packing is starting to come naturally to us now and even though we didn't wake up till about eight we were still out of the house and away by nine, we even managed not to forget anything! The trip was uneventful, as was the parking and we were sat in the pub in time for breakfast. Inside there was a large, open plan area with the decor being mainly red and wood, it was also about half full with many people eating breakfast. Mrs S. went and found a table for us, gave me the number and I was quickly at the bar being served by a very nice man. I ordered the large breakfast and a large latte and scrambled eggs and tea for Mrs S. Having paid for everything I then went and sat down and started reading the paper. I sat there for maybe a minute before Mrs S. asked where the drinks were... Doh! But then just as I started getting up to go back to the bar to get them the 'very nice man' appeared with cups in hand. Excellent service. I thanked him and we had a brief chat about directions to the next pub on my list and then breakfast arrived. Speedy, more excellent service. All in all we both enjoyed our visit to 'The Bole Bridge' but it was time to move on, we had a lot to do...
  
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The Dockle Farmhouse - Swindon

 

Visited 25th November 2010.

We are off on holiday for a few days, and needless to say this involves visiting a few 'spoons. We are going to be travelling the length of the M4 for a couple of hours so it seems only fitting that we should take a break about half way, which means Swindon, for breakfast, at almost lunch time. The Dockle Farmhouse is first on the list and presents us with an immediate problem, where to park. There is a sign saying parking at rear -good. We head to the rear but find ourselves presented with a sign saying the parking is for the pub next door - definitely no Spooners. Second attempt lucky, we find another sign down the road and an entrance to another car park. Time is against us, breakfast stops at twelve so we need to get a hustle on. Second problem... the pub is very big, lots of rooms and lots of tables... lots of choice, come on Mrs S. just pick one! Eventually she does and I manage to get the order placed, just in time. A traditional breakfast and a large breakfast and a couple of large lattes. I pay using Wetherspoon gift vouchers and as usual the bar staff look amazed. "Do we give change with these?". 

However, we both liked the pub, it was warm and comfortable and the staff were quick with our order and clearing the table despite it being quite busy. We head back to the car and into Swindon town centre for our next pub of the day.

© John Sinner. None of the material contained in this post, or this blog as a whole, may be reproduced without the express and written permission of John Sinner. All rights reserved.

The William Morris - Cowley, Oxford

Visited 16th May 2010.

Mrs S. and myself fancied a cooked breakfast and neither of us fancied cooking it ourselves so we jumped into the car and headed off to Oxford. The plan was to head into the city centre but a fun run put paid to that idea and to avoid the jams we turned left and headed towards Cowley and "The William Morris". It was pretty busy inside with a lot of breakfasts being served. We were a bit peckish by this time and so were happy that breakfast arrived (and also disappeared) in record time. We both liked the pub but we had a full day ahead of us as the plan was to also visit two pubs in the centre of Oxford (and do a little shopping). Here's hoping the fun run's finished and the roads have cleared.

© John Sinner. None of the material contained in this post, or this blog as a whole, may be reproduced without the express and written permission of John Sinner. All rights reserved.

The Herbert Wells - Woking

Visited 15th November 2009.

It was Mr Sinners birthday this week so Mrs S thought she would take him out for breakfast. Woking was selected to provide this gastronomic treat and although it did involve an early rise we made it to the pub at about 11.50. Whew just in time - no pun intended. I always enjoy a cooked breakfast, especially as I almost always end up eating some of Mrs Sinners as well.
I liked the pub, the ceiling decoration and the statue (no photo of the statue - you'll just have to go and see it for yourselves). The pint of Red Hunter slipped down easily as well.
I also noticed a sign stating that if you look under 21 you will need ID and that you can only use a valid passport or a new style photo driving license. I do hope this is a Wetherspoon protest against the governments introduction of the national ID card!

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The Old Manor - Bracknell

Visited 23rd March 2009.

Let's get this thing started. Pub one. No special reason for starting with The Old Manor, I just happened to be driving past it when the idea of visiting all of the J D Wetherspoon pubs occurred. I had on a previous occasion had quite a decent breakfast at The Old Manor and today was in the mood for a spot of lunch, hence the burger.

The Old Manor is one of the few Wetherspoon pubs that I have visited that has a car park. Not sure what you do if you want to stay there for more than three hours though! Also, read the sign and remember to claim your ticket fee back. I didn't and didn't...


© John Sinner. None of the material contained in this post, or this blog as a whole, may be reproduced without the express and written permission of John Sinner. All rights reserved.