ReviewA 17th century, extended, pub, with ten en suite, 4 diamond AA / English Tourist Council approved bedrooms, plus attached organic food shop and restaurant [The Cygnet]
Already you may realise this is a pub a cut above the normal. The owners are also organic farmers and most of the items on the menu in the pub, including the beer, are organic where possible
This pub is reached via somewhat narrow country roads, sharpish bends & high hedges, a motor home or towing a caravan may not be a wise choice to get here, normal car is fine, sat nav is even better as it is a bit off the beaten track for the uninitiated
There is a large car park, and because the pub is on an embankment there is an incline up to the car park, as there is up to the paved outside patio / dining area overlooking open countryside. Because of the location, there is not really any passing traffic to bother outside drinkers / diners
The main entrance is off the patio area, on entering, the bar is very handily opposite the entrance. To the right is the entrance to The Cygnet restaurant, to left is bar seating area, with a few bar stools against the bar.
Going through the left bar seating area one descends a slight ramp [wheelchair friendly] to another tabled area, mainly arranged for eating I guess. The, very clean, toilets are through a door from this lower area. There is also a dart playing room, via an open doorway, adjacent to the lower eating space
The pub has numerous awards, some of which may be a bit historic in 2010, such as West Berks CAMRA pub of the year 2000 & Joint 2nd place in the national "Bangers & Mash" pub of the year 2003. Accredited by the Campaign for Real Food, and is a Member of the British Sausage Appreciation Society. However, on my visit I think these awards are still valid even if not current
Now to beer, three hand pumps on my visit, featuring Organic ale from local, Hungerford based, Butts Brewery, Traditional, Jester and one I cannot remember as I had a pint of Traditional [lovely] and one of Jester, nice, but I preferred the Traditional TBH
Food, a very varied menu, mostly organic and local of course, but this does come at a price, nothing under a fiver, most around ten pounds or more, rump steak nearly £19, home-made, organic, bangers & mash around a tenner, fish & chips nearly £13, check their web site for meals, no prices listed, but it will not suit the “two meals for tenner” faction. The food was excellent and for a treat was worth every penny, but not for anyone looking for every day dining prices. Ideal if you want to impress your boss / customer
There is sign up that well behaved children are welcome, but no dogs inside, there is a dog drinking bowl on patio area, so I assume Fido is fine outside with you, but not in the bar / dining areas
To summarise, I would certainly go back again, lovely friendly pub, great beer, food & location. Rarely do I award ten stars, but this pub deserves them, do try it if in the area
