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Detail Pages
The Highwayman, Exlade Street, Reading
Reading
RG8 0UA
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Highwayman
Situated in a little hamlet off the busy A4074,the narrow valley with fields opposite the pub is very attractive,classic country pub vibe.The building itself is old with a low ceiling and although it's very food orientated ,right off the main door entrance is a square tap room with seating dioted about and the servery with the 3 handpumps.This area should be free of diners and is cosy.
To the left is a large dining room with set tables and further back another large dining room which can be hired for functions.The pub garden to the rear is both large and charming with great views of the surroundings and a large awning and other cover in a flagstone covered patio.
Regular ales are normally two from Rebellion ,on my trip their IPA and Knights Oath along with a regular Loddon ale ,on my trip their Hoppit.Maybe not the most exciting ale line up,rather samey ,all quite low ABV and maybe the assumption that as most people arrive here by car,low strenth ales maybe popular which I generally feel is a mistake ,especially output from these brewers.
The food offering is typical gastro pub British fare,pleasant without being outstanding and the young serving teams were friendly and very welcoming.
A worthy pub to pop into for a meal if passing ,but not a destination pub as such.
On 9th August 2026
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3252 recommendations about 3252 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about The Highwayman
Very remote - you've got to want to come here. I used it as a base for the latest stage of the Chiltern Chain Walk. By the time I returned to "pay for my parking", the car park was near full - so must have something to entice the punters.
Nice beer garden - and the sun was shining, even if a bit cold for on a March Afternoon.
Restaurant - set with proper cloth napkins and wine glasses. Probably tells you want you need to know. That, and the lunchtime menu does not include sandwiches.
Empty little bar, with wood burner having perhaps its last hurrah of an unending winter.
Nice to see three Locale ales on - I can recall Marlow Rebellion and my chosen Renegade Good Old Boy.
Low scores, as it smelt absolutely rank. There was no issue with getting it replaced, with the owner stating that it was end of barrel. I am narked that he tried to pass it off in the first place.
Replacement was fine, as you would expect.
On 4th April 2024
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1912 recommendations about 1873 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Highwayman
After just visiting the Black Horse at the far end of the village of Checkendon, I was expecting that the Highwayman would be something similar. It's certainly an old building, but one that has been brought well and truly into the 21st century.
As you enter, dining areas can be found to the left-hand side and in front to the rear. There is a smallish bar to the right-hand side of the entrance. People were eating in here too. Although there were also some drinkers, myself included. Loddon Hoppit & Rebellion IPA are the regular beers. Guests were South Oxfordshire Mr Toad's & XT 4. There are only 3 handpulls. So, my XT 4 was fetched from the cellar.
Another busy place that certainly had some traditional character. But not a patch on the Black Horse.
On 2nd April 2022
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3596 recommendations about 3594 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Highwayman
Out-of-the-way pub opposite a grassy hillock. Small - almost inglenook - bar to right on entering with modern slab floor, exposed brick and wood-burning stove. Has been a bit modernized but retains a little charm. Dining to left and rear (quite a vast amount at the back). Kids play area in garden. Selection of papers in the bar area. Three ales, Rebellion IPA, Loddon Hoppit (decent nick) and Pride. Good selection of softies too. Check out the wooden hand-carved highwayman sign inside by the bar. A fair stop, overall.
April 2009
A decent find whilst getting lost looking for the Black Horse in the dark. There were a couple of decent ales (I forget what) on the go in a nice atmosphere. The pub is mainly set up for the foody brigade but we didn't feel too out-of-place with a beer. Rated 6
On 12th November 2015
- rating: 6
[User has posted 6341 recommendations about 6319 pubs]