Winter Gardens (JD Wetherspoon), Harrogate

Winter Gardens is an impressive open plan L-shaped Wetherspoons in a converted Victorian Royal Baths structure with a grand double staircase entrance and curved glass panelled ceiling. High tables run the length of the bar counter from the main entrance and standard tables and chairs are found in the rear. The bar supports three banks of five hand pumps that were drawing the usual three suspects alongside Theakston’s Old Peculiar, Daleside’s Winter Gardens, Rudgate’s Astrid Summer, Ilkley’s Blonde, Sharp’s Sea Fury, Saltaire’s Best and Salamander Brewing’s Python Porter. The usual keg is available, as is an extensive gin menu. My visit was early doors on a recent Friday so I took advantage of the very reasonably priced full English. This is a decent Spoons well worthy of a visit.

An imposing and impressive 'spoons,with two entrances either end of a very grand space,the far exit is up a carved stone staircase with an ornate entrance building. The interior decor and furniture is classic 'spoons but the fetures are worth spotting.The L shaped bar didn't have enough staff ,so serving took some time and an informal queue formed. The ales are split among three sets of handpumps,the trio of doom are repeated on two sets leaving guests on my trip of Daleside Blonde,Rudgate Astrid Summer,Ilkley Blonde,Saltaire Best,Sharps Sea Fury,Salamander Python Porter (soon ran out) and Theakstons Old Peculier (NBSS 3.5).Decent enough options and worthy of a visit to see the features and sup some cheap ale.

Official site of Winter Gardens (JD Wetherspoon) - www.jdwetherspoon.com

Official site of Winter Gardens (JD Wetherspoon) - www.jdwetherspoon.com

A rather magnificent Spoons as previously described. Apart from the architecture two points of special note were the nice sunny outdoor area at the rear and the presence of a good range of Yorkshire ales alongside the usual stuff. I noted Ossett White Rat, Daleside Monkey Wrench and Old Legover, Goose Eye Pommies Revenge and Theakstons Old Peculier at least. It was pretty busy on a weekday lunchtime however the staff were doing a remarkably good job and earned a bonus point.

As Noted below this is a grand old building which was rammed on my Saturday afternoon visit. Miraculously a small table became available so I grabbed it. It's been more than well described below but I can see the point about it being a huge barn and the furnishings are generally fairly standard and crammed in. The fifteen hand pumps had three unused, the two GK beers and Moorhouse Black Cat Mild with the remaining nine being festival ales. I went for the Brewsters Seventh Heaven and the Adnams Tally Ho which were both at the festival price of £2.69. The standard guest ale price here is £2.79 making it expensive for the North and even the South. I liked this one but would almost certainly have enjoyed it more on a weekday afternoon. It's GBG 2018 listed.

Nice enough Spoons with a well spread out selection of ales. Had no problem getting served and will no doubt return.