The Royal Oak, Reading

Set back off the A4, unlike the Bird In Hand nearby, you wouldn't actually know this pub was sat here just along a muddy lane. We arrived to find what seemed to be a bunch of local men in the single room bar, along with a barmaid. One guy was working from the pub on his laptop. Another 2 or 3 had seemingly just eaten, whilst another couple were sat next to the bar, one of whom turned out to be the landlord, a fairly amiable chap from Birmingham. Further investigations revealed a Birmingham City Football Club photo behind the bar. Regular ales here are Brakspear Gravity & Sharp's Doom Bar. Guests were Wadworth Henry's IPA & Loddon Hocus Pocus. Real cider is no longer served, having suffered a lack of demand during the various pandemic breaks. Food is simple pub grub. We ended up staying a little longer than expected here, with none of our next few pubs opening until 5pm. A Pakistan v New Zealand cricket game was being shown on a TV screen in one corner and quite a few other customers came and went (some with their canine companions) whilst we enjoyed a good chat with the landlord and another local. Another decent pub worth seeking out.

Official site of The Royal Oak - www.theroyaloak-knowlhill.co.uk

Official site of The Royal Oak - www.theroyaloak-knowlhill.co.uk