I visited one of the 'best Wetherspoons' in the UK and was blown away
Liverpool Echo reporter Christopher Megrath paid a visit to the cosy Wirral pub which has fought off competition from more than 800 rivals to be named one of the best Wetherspoons in the country.
A list of the top 10 Wetherspoons was compiled by SuomiCasino by analysing Google Review data for more than 800 Wetherspoon locations in the UK. Among the best in the UK is one Wirral pub which has been open since 2022 - The Prense Well.
The pub scored highly with customers and its overall review rating was so positive that is was ranked among the best in the UK, according to new research. The praise was enough for me to take to my heels and pull up a seat.
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Seconds after stepping through the front doors, I was smacked in the face with the aroma of fish and chips. Not the greasy corner chippy kind, but a fresh, tasty smell reminiscent of a seaside van. I felt transported to the coast rather than a chain pub.
From the moment I stepped inside, I was struck by how immaculately kept this pub is. One of the cleanest I've visited. The upholstery on the seats was pristine without fraying, stains or sagging. The carpet looked either brand new or well maintained - I couldn't tell which.
There were a few dozen people already enjoying the venue by my midday arrival so I scurried away and found a table in the corner to watch from. I order a pint via the Wetherspoons app and admired my surroundings.
Across the street and visible through the large windows were tall, lush hedges creating a vivid green backdrop. The pub's garden is enclosed by a metal fence, providing a small outdoor drinking place for visitors, with bright red flowers decorating the perimeter in hanging plant pots.
The entire venue is bathed in natural light, which pours in through the windows and skylights. Combined with the light green walls, beach-wood panelling, and bright orb lighting, it creates an airy, countryside feel. There's something tranquil about it, like a pub you'd find nestled in a tiny village rather than the centre of town.
It's easily one of the most picturesque Wetherspoons I've seen, especially when compared to some I'm familiar with. The staff delivered my drink with a "Hello, how are you?' and 'Cheers, mate,' instead of the silent toss and spill I've sometimes encountered.
Curiosity got the better of me so I moved from the corner and went for a wander to see what I'd find. What I thought was just a standard layout opened up into two expansive seating areas, one nicknamed The Garden, thanks to its large, outdoor drinking area and covered terrace.
Inside, there was a chandelier covered in fauna that stole my attention and where I pulled up a seat. Typically, when I picture a Wetherspoons, I imagine worn carpets, sticky tables. The Prense Well was genuinely very pretty.
There was a calmness to it. Not dead quiet, just gently alive with conversation and atmosphere. I did get a few curious glances but I'm not surprised considering I was dressed in all black, tattooed, and slightly out of place among the sea of middle-aged customers in cardigans, jumpers and quarter-zip jackets. Regardless, it didn't stop staff smiling at me if we ever locked eyes.
I didn't spend too long in the pub, just enough to catch the vibe. I really enjoyed it. The Prense Well feels like a dreamy beach venue the locals are determined to keep in pristine condition.
I'd love to call back on a Saturday night to see the difference in atmosphere but from what I experienced today, it was a tranquil treat I was sad to leave so soon. The fish and chips still dances around my mind and I have to remind myself it's just a Wetherspoons.
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