'I went to the best Wetherspoon in the country — I was left surprised'

Upon entering The Bishop Blaize on a typical Wednesday afternoon, it initially appears to be just another bustling pub in Greater . However, as one writer put it, delve deeper and you'll discover its unique charm.

Adam Maidment, of our sister title , paid a little visit to this drinking hole of choice for fans, given its incredibly close proximity to Old Trafford.

The interior pays homage to club legends such as Sir and through memorabilia and artwork, while many patrons proudly sport their team colours and carry bags brimming with goodies from the stadium shop.

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While its popularity among United fans is evident, the Bishop Blaize has another claim to fame, according to Adam: it's been named as one of the best Wetherspoons pubs in the country on multiple occasions.

He wrote: "Last year, it outshone competitors such as the Royal Victoria Pavilion in Kent and the Golden Beam in Leeds to clinch the title of the most popular venue in the chain, based on Reviews and boasting a 60.34% score of excellent reviews.

"This month, Captain Caz's new list reaffirmed its top spot, with two-thirds of customers rating it as excellent. It surpassed other contenders like The Caley Picture House in Edinburgh and The Greenwood Hotel in London, further cementing its status as a must-visit Wetherspoons venue."

Based on those reviews, Adam decided to visit The Bishop Blaize. But much like the nearby football club's recent form, he was in for a shock.

"To be frank, my initial impression of the exterior wasn't promising – its drab grey and white facade didn't scream 'top-notch pub'," he wrote. "However, stepping inside, I was taken aback by the bustling crowd. Families, builders, suited professionals and a sea of United shirts filled the space.

"The jackpot machines had a constant stream of pint-clutching men, while the bar was thronged with patrons placing their orders. The place was so packed that I had to navigate through the crowd to find an empty spot at the very back.

"As I settled in, I noticed a group of older gents nearby, all seemingly acquainted but sitting separately, each staking claim to their own four-seater table. It was just the right amount of antisocial behaviour that I could appreciate."

Eventually, Adam found his chosen seat – offering prime views of TV showing News and the glass collection point. Staff whizzed by every few seconds, either delivering fresh orders or clearing away finished plates and glasses.

"While I've frequented Wetherspoons on several occasions, it's usually a last-ditch option for me and my mates, with the attractive price point often being the deciding factor towards the end of the month," he said.

Now onto the food, and the menu offered familiar Wetherspoons fare: sandwiches, wraps, burgers, curries and all-day breakfasts. Having previously braved the Wetherspoon's Curry Club, Adam was not quite ready for a repeat performance.

"Instead, I scour the internet to find one of the most popular dishes on the menu – to truly put this top-rated Wetherspoons through its paces with the crème de la crème," he said. "According to , it's the All-Day Brunch, which one user described as something you 'can't really do wrong on' and also 'great to line the stomach with'.

"However, I stumble upon a few reviews stating the bacon isn't up to scratch and one person alleges that the grilled tomatoes are merely 'taken out from the chiller, shouted at and then put on your plate'. But I'm game for the challenge."

Adam took the plunge and was left rather bemused: "Priced at £9.72 with a soft drink or £11.25 with an alcoholic beverage, the brunch comprises two fried eggs, bacon, two Lincolnshire sausages, baked beans and chips, which strikes me as unusual. I'd prefer toast or a hash brown, but each to their own.

"I'm also slightly disappointed to see no trace of the contentious grilled tomato."

Being a working lunch, Adam skipped alcohol for a raspberry refresher – a concoction of raspberry lemonade, orange juice, lime juice and an orange slice. A drink, he claimed, reminded him "of the homemade mocktails from my childhood, crafted from various beverages found in my parents' kitchen cupboard. It was a riot of flavours, but ultimately refreshing and satisfactory".

While waiting for my meal, Adam took the opportunity to soak in the ambiance and history of the Bishop Blaize. He said: "Named after the patron saint of woolcombers, the pub dates back to the mid-15th century. After being demolished in 1863, it was reincarnated as the Talbot Hotel until the late 1970s when Wetherspoons restored its original pub identity.

"Like many Wetherspoons pubs, it boasts winding corridors, hidden corners, quirky cubby holes, and inevitably, toilets situated at the top of a spiral staircase. As I explored, I noticed posters advertising local darts and poker events hosted by the pub."

His brunch arrived on the quintessential Wetherspoons plate, precisely 15 minutes after ordering. What did he make of the food?

"Starting with the bacon, I found it far from the horror stories circulated on Reddit," he said. "The steak has a pleasant grilled flavour, though the cooking is inconsistent, with some bites almost well-done and others needing a bit more time on the grill. It's slightly drier than I'd prefer, but nothing a good dollop of tomato sauce can't fix.

"The sausages are enjoyable, boasting a satisfyingly crispy exterior. They're not extraordinary, but there's nothing to grumble about either. The eggs are cooked just right, not overly done or swimming in oil, which suits me perfectly."

Despite his initial reservations about chips on an English breakfast, Adam was pleased with how "delightful" they were – "crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, they add a tasty element to the plate that I'm glad is included".

While it appeared to be far from the best meal Adam has ever had, he concluded that "as a hunger-buster, it checks enough boxes".

"Throughout my dining experience, the staff were prompt in clearing empty tables and removing used plates and glasses, all while bustling back and forth between the kitchen and bar with new orders and drinks. They remained efficient and friendly, despite the place being busy," he recalled.

"Online reviews often praise the Bishop Blaize for its excellent pub atmosphere, with many highlighting the 'great atmosphere', 'friendly staff' and 'good selection of beers on tap'. From my experience, I can vouch for two of those points – the staff were indeed friendly and the place had a genuinely good vibe."

Overall, Adam was left pleasantly surprised by his experience at the Bishop Blaize, particularly by how lively the atmosphere was compared to other branches. He said: "Some Wetherspoons can come across as a bit sterile or chilly, particularly those devoid of TVs or music. However, the bustling crowd in this pub created a warm, lively atmosphere.

"One can only imagine the heightened buzz on a United match day – apparently, it's a challenge to gain entry due to its popularity during these times."

As for whether it's the best pub in the country, Adam delivered his verdict: "I wouldn't claim to have sufficient experience to make such a judgement. But when it comes to Wetherspoons establishments, it could certainly be a contender for the top spot."