Lord John, Stroud

The Lord John arrived in Stroud some twenty years or so ago and was once the towns Post Office.

The red brick and carved Cotswold Stone façade on Russel Street give little indication of the Tardis like space inside but the gold lettering on tasteful burgundy background proudly proclaim this place as one of Tim Martins Wetherspoons empire and for most that sets an expectation. You can enter by one of two doors that straddle a raised area inside accommodating 5 or so tables, one on the left a shallow ramp for wheelchair access and the other to the right having 3 steps by virtue of the slope of Russel Street.

Looking deeper into the narrow space the bar area runs down the right-hand wall with some booths and individual raised tables opposite. This space benefits from a glass roof and is bathed in light on sunny days. For real ale lovers there are two ranks of 6 hand pumps both carrying the same offering which does help during busy times.

Further into the premises past the bar, the space opens out to the left with more booths and tables. An interesting feature of this area is that to the rear with doors to the walled courtyard the space has been designed to look like rail carriages complete with overhead luggage racks and curved boarded ceiling. It is in this area that you will find the toilets and as is traditional at Wetherspoons they are as far from the main entrance as possible and on another floor, in this case downstairs, though there are disabled ones available on the ground floor.

The whole space is tastefully decorated with the signature Axminister carpet and as with other Wetherspoons the design is unique to the venue. There is plenty of well-designed lighting and varnished woodwork. Walls are adorned with framed pictures/stories depicting local people, events and places.

To the rear there is a walled courtyard which is simple and functional with a dozen or so bench/table combos set out inside clean painted walls. Hanging baskets and planters atop the wall make for a softer edge to the feel and festoon lighting overhead makes for good ambience when the sun goes down. Smokers are permitted to indulge at the leftmost end.

Opening times correct as of 23/09/2022