The Pheasant, Newbury

Official site of The Pheasant - www.thepheasanthighclere.co.uk

Official site of The Pheasant - www.thepheasanthighclere.co.uk

A pleasant roadside pub, still very much food led, and not cheap. There is a small car park just off the road, and a small paved garden with benches and tables. The single large bar feels a bit contrived, with the metal-fronted bar and fake beams, but it’s comfortable enough. The barmaid was cheerful, and the other customers innocuous. There was only one ale on, Boondoggle, which was in good condition. I’d be happy to stop again if I weren’t in a hurry and wasn’t too bothered about the high food prices.

Formerly a Marco Pierre-White gastropub, he has now departed and the place is a little less stuffy - no flunkey at the door to greet you like there used to be. However there’s still a feel of the MPW hand here in the interior which isn’t too dissimilar to the Caernarvon Arms (his other place up the road) – low ceiling, brass bar top. Two ales on; Two Cocks (nasty, eventually taken off) and Ringwood Best (poor). Orchard Pig cider on keg. You can go in for a drink, but I saw no reason to bother again, frankly.