The Belgian Arms, Maidenhead

A lovely location and the exterior is alluring with wisteria(?) growing on the front of the pub. Less to shout about inside which has been opened-out and whilst it still has some discrete areas, the duck egg tongue and groove panelling and whitewash walls don't really hold a huge amount of character or cosiness. There are a number of cricket prints and indeed there was a game being broadcast on the TV. Star of the show here is the amazing beer garden - grassed, overlooked by trees and has a pond at the rear. There is much mention elsewhere of gastropubbiness but no food was in evidence on our Sunday evening visit. Three pumps with two ales; Brakspear Bitter and Ringwood Boondoggle. The latter was in impressive shape, though very expensive at four quid a go. Overall, worth a look on a summer’s day. Factoid – its unusual name has an interesting backstory. It was called the Eagle until the locals demanded a renaming during WWI as the inmates at the local PoW camp used to salute the eagle on the way past.

Official site of the Belgian Arms, contains menu and wine list - www.thebelgian.co.uk

Belgian Arms page at the Brakspear site - www.brakspear.co.uk

Official site of the Belgian Arms, contains menu and wine list - www.thebelgian.co.uk

Belgian Arms page at the Brakspear site - www.brakspear.co.uk