The Royal Stag, Slough

Datchet is a village that apparently used to have a fair number of pubs but this, it appears, is the last one standing. As described below, the original part of the building at the front facing the road has an aged interior with traditional country décor - mounted stag heads, fish pictures, old black and white prints of Windsor and Datchet, complemented by muted lighting. Noted some nice wooden bar front detail. A more modern stamp was wooden the wine/champagne crate stamps used as wall panelling. Side courtyard garden and a more modern foody area. An area of improvement from Maldeman’s review from 2010 is the beer. Eight pumps, with a good selection; three from W&E - Kohinoor (good nick), Guardsman (same) and Zinzans Drop, plus London Pride and Addlestone cider. Both glasses we had were full to the brim, too. A nice little place that I’d be happy to do again.

The original part of the building has character with low beamed ceilings, wooden floors, a fireplace and lots of paintings, photos and maps of the locality, including a framed letter from Queen Victoria who judging by the writing may well have trained as a doctor. I sort of see why the more modern areas have been designed to match the original but fake ceiling beams in straight sawn timber stained up do not look vaguely convincing. A more modern feeling area to the rear has a dartboard, and there is outside seating to the rear side area. As a freehouse however I'd hope for a more adventurous selection than Pride, OSH, Adnams Broadside, although there was a proper Addlestone's cider on too. Watch the head on your beer though, mine and others' were pulled short.

Official pages of the Royal Stag, contains menus - www.windsorpubco.co.uk/royal_stag_datchet.html

Official pages of the Royal Stag, contains menus - www.windsorpubco.co.uk/royal_stag_datchet.html