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 the top you have 94 steps to go. The food is what you'd expect from a Wetherspoons .
I often go for the pizza or chicken curry which are exactly what you'd expect for the pub grub - nothing special but certainly enough for an affordable dinner out. And I'll always return for the cheap booze - where else can I get a glass of wine for less than £2? Sure, the bar is almost constantly sticky, and it's definitely an older crowd that you will find in the day. But local couple Holly and Pete say they love the crowd it brings.
They told Sun Online Travel: "We love the crowd that the Wetherspoons brings. "There's always a bunch of eclectic characters in there, so there's never a dull moment. "And it's beautiful when the sun comes in through the huge stain glass windows".
And if you really want a different venue for the evening, you can head to the nearby Brewing Brothers on the harbour for some great beers, or Burrito Buoys for amazing frozen cocktails. The Sun's Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey has revealed why its a great seaside break, being a local herself. "Folkestone was named the Best Place to Live in the southeast in a 2024 study by the Times.
"And having made the move myself, I can see why. "There is the Harbour Arm, with trendy bars and eateries ranging from Japanese to Mexican, or the multicoloured high street with local cafes and shops. "There are amazing local vineyards and breweries, although I can hope on the Channel Tunnel and be in France within 35 minutes if I fancied a cheap booze run.
"It even has F51, the worlds first multi storey skate park with climbing wall too. "I can see why it is called the new Brighton too - not only is it less than an hour by train from London, but house prices are a fraction of the cost compared to the other seaside destination." We've also rounded up some of the most beautiful Wetherspoons in the UK you can visit.
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