With so many pubs running under the Wetherspoons flag, it was only a matter of time before one was seemingly forgotten. Sir John Oldcastle isn’t the most exciting proposition but it certainly offers value for money.

The Venue
Sir John Oldcastle is a huge pub on a corner of one of Farringdon’s busy streets. Sat on a small hill, the raised floor means the windows can beam any manner of Wetherspoons fancy advertising into the faces of passers by. Sadly, one of the first things that you do see is the poster supposedly there to excite you about the prospect of a new £70 jackpot fruit machine inside. For most, this might not raise you up too high but inside the dull brown and predictable floral carpet will have your eyes looking for the poster, which is at least colourful and new.

The rest of the interior is similar to most other Wetherspoons pubs - tables and chairs are fairly linear and sit in patterns around the warped horseshoe bar, quiz machines flash at you from corners and bargains and deals bombard you from all directions.

The Atmosphere
One thing that Wetherspoons does give you is a cross section of the population in one place. There are no airs and graces at Sir John Oldcastle – people visit for the cheap lager, value meals and the £70 jackpot. It’s not pretentious, ostentatious or hammy but it does have a tendency to build up a grandiose type of boredom.

The Food
The majority of the menu is a collection of classic pub food that certainly rivals its peers as far as value for money goes. The rest is a cluster of way out dishes like Mediterranean bakes and other ambitious projects. The Sunday Club roast and Thursday’s Curry Club both cost £5.99 and come with a drink whilst Steak Club costs just a pound more. There are always 2-4-1 deals on main meals.

The Drink
Wetherspoons has a complete range of cheap, basic drinks that will beat most pubs hands down and Sir John Oldcastle is no exception. Offers come and go all the time and there will often be something to tempt you in. There is a good range of beer on tap that includes Carling, Stella, Fosters and Kronenbourg and there is a great selection of ales.

The Last Word
Sir John Oldcastle is good for its value for money factor and the huge choice of real ale it stocks. If you don’t mind the often bland nature of the chain then it’s worth a quick – and cheap – pint.

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