WETHERSPOONS pubs are known for being inside some of the UK's most beautiful buildings, from old cinemas to converted bingo halls. And one of the most beautiful is in a trendy seaside town. The Samuel Peto in Folkestone is in a former church with many of the features still in place.
The Samuel Peto is one of my local Wetherspoons, having moved to the seaside town last year. Funded by Sir Samuel Morto Peto, who was also an MP, he was known for being one of the major Victorian railway designers, connecting more than 750 miles of track across the UK. As well as being part of the team behind Nelson's Column, he also designed the Salem Chapel which opened in 1874.
It was Grade II listed in 1975 and has been serving booze as a Wetherspoons since 1998. And if you want to see some of that history , a lot of it is intact inside the pub. The painted cloud ceilings are a classy touch, with the huge organ still sitting at the back of the pub.
Ornate chandeliers and wooden balustrades line the interiors , with huge stained glass windows letting in most of the light. It's certainly one of my favourites I've ever been to. While it isn't quite on the seaside - that accolade is reserved for the biggest ever Wetherspoons in Ramsgate - it is just a short walk from the beach.
But going inside is a cosy affair, with many of the booths being perfect to settle in for the night thanks to the wooden privacy screens between each of them. Expect a classic Wetherspoons walk to the toilets - if you're at.