A self-proclaimed Secret Drinker fan reminded me it’s been a little while since I visited the venerable town of Royal Tunbridge Wells, so that’s where I headed last Friday lunchtime.

Having ridden the iron horse I walked uphill towards the town centre following my nose and wondering where I might end up.

The sun was shining and folks were out in force, either enjoying a break from work or catching up on a spot of shopping.

I’ve always considered this popular commuter township extremely upmarket so I was surprised to see just how many beggars there were in doorways - mind you, where else do the vagrants have huskies?

I suppose Tunbridge Wells having an opera house isn’t so astonishing and the fact it became a bingo hall before being taken on by JD Wetherspoon not altogether surprising either.

Spoons have a tradition of saving historic buildings and this Grade II listed beauty must be one of the jewels in the company crown.

Though once you’re through the grand entrance, and having taken in the impressive architecture, it’s not long before you’re reminded this is a pub chain which operates a mass production line, whatever the setting.

There were no smiles behind the bar, no time for pleasantries, just make your order and move on.

Mind you, selecting a pint might take you a moment as I counted no less than 24 drinks available on draught. And, in my haste to make a decision, I committed a rookie error in settling for a pint of Cliff Edge from Orkney Brewery.

Not that it was a bad beer, but as I was eating I should have perused the menu and ordered food at the same time as this would have saved me a few pennies.

I selected the table with the least number of empties left on it and, once I’d worked out whether it was 6 or 9, went for a jacket spud with tuna mayo for £6.34, noticing later that if I’d ordered it with my pint the combo would have been £7.74, rather than the £8.69 I paid for the two separately.

After a very swift look round I placed my pint among the other used glasses on what I now know was table 9 and popped to the loo while I waited for my food to arrive.

By the time I got back my potato was waiting for me and the dead glasses had gone – my receipt showed the order time was 1.08 and it was with me by 1.11, now that’s fast food delivery!

I realise it arrived speedily, but I have to report I was greatly impressed by my three-minute baked potato with green salad and dressing on the side – it was well presented, extremely fresh and served at the perfect temperature. It’s strange, but I generally end up feeling good about eating at a Spoons because I always seem to go for a pretty healthy option and the fact this came without butter and only a little mayo made it particularly good for me.

There were stacks of other folks in and a real mix of ages with some eating, a number drinking several pints and more than a few just having coffees.

There seemed to be a gambling corner, with three huge fruit machines but I only saw one woman prepared to make an investment while I was in.

There was no music playing and there were only a few small screens dotted about, which all seemed to be displaying the Wetherspoon logo for some reason.

I mentioned earlier that I popped to the loo before my spud was delivered and I should say I was a little disappointed by the gents as the toilets were very ordinary, and more than a little smelly, for such a grand building.

I thought I might have judged a little too quickly when I found a second gents at the back of the pub, but this was equally pongy and, with its broken mirror and missing tiles, also looked very uncared for.

As with any boozer there are always going to be good points as well as bad – there is an astonishingly varied choice of drinks and the food, particularly for the price, is excellent.

The staff are lacklustre and the tables certainly aren’t cleared quickly enough, but the real-ale festival that was running was a real plus.

Above all, the setting is absolutely stunning and I certainly wasn’t the only person impressed enough to be taking pictures.

Whatever else you might say about Wetherspoon, you can’t argue it delivers excellent value for your money and is incredibly convenient.

Just out of interest, after leaving I popped into the Pitcher and Piano in nearby Church Road and, having looked at the prices on the menu and drinks list I was glad I chose to go where I did.

The Opera House, 88 Mount Pleasant Road, Tunbridge Wells TN1 1RT

Decor: Absolutely stunning, the exterior of the Opera House is impressive enough, but inside it is incredible. I know opinion is divided regarding Wetherspoon, and particularly the company’s treatment of old buildings, but I’m a big fan. *****

Drink: The selection is second to none and both the beers I sampled were above average. There may be a few real-ale pubs with more beers, but across the board, there is nowhere offering a wider range of drinks. ****

Food: I know I played it fairly safe, and I realise it arrived in three minutes (but nowhere starts cooking a baked spud when it’s ordered), and on the whole I was impressed with my meal. ***

Price: The pint of Cliff Edge from Orkney Brewery cost just £2.35, the same price as all beers in the real-ale festival. My jacket spud with salad and tuna mayo was £6.34 (If I’d been on the ball I could have got the pair for £7.74). You can’t knock the prices in Spoons. *****

Staff: The best bar staff can make all the difference. Sadly staff here could slot in behind any fast food till or into any DIY aisle. They do the job and follow the company line but there’s no initiative on show or any real emotion. *

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