9th visit of Reading and its environs: Just off the main thoroughfare as in Broad Street and coming back from the Nags Head is this further real ale gem of a pub and from a bygone age that seems to have missed decades of makeovers for pubs. Busy but not uncomfortably so for our early evening visit and prompt friendly service at the bar. Seating to be had which was welcome after the trekking back from the previous and almost out-of-town Nags Head. Three interesting real ales on and to choose from. An attractively carved and ancient looking bar counter, complete with beamed ceilings and framed prints of old photographs of Reading in former times and by a good century at least.

Mid-afternoon visit, with just a handful of customers present. A nice pub, but alarmingly expensive.

My first time in this appealing little pub, which was starting to fill with an after-work crowd.

Despite asking for a half and getting a pint. Despite how full of diacetyl the beer was. Despite the racket caused by the roadworks outside. I still quite liked this place. Two roomed small wood heavy pub.

Quiet on a Saturday lunchtime.