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Pub Of The Month - January 2026 with Tris39
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Detail Pages
The John O'Gaunt Inn, Hungerford
Hungerford
RG17 0EG
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8½ of 10) see review guidelines
Blue Scrumpy left this review about The John O'Gaunt Inn
This was the best of the 4 Hungerford pubs we visited and was also my favourite new pub in Berkshire on a visit to 10 yesterday. The pub has a split-level interior with laminate flooring and red-painted walls. The bar area at one end has a few high tables, whilst there are some more conventional tables in the dining area. A garden area to the rear of the pub has some tiki tents available to hire. The pub also has a car park, which is useful considering you have to pay to park in Hungerford town centre now. An old water pump can be found next to the pub's rear exit.
5 handpulls on the bar were all clipped with Oakham Citra, Burton Bridge Top Dog Stout, Bluntrock Gold, Sambrook's Wandle & Indie Rabble Phenomenon. Craft beers were Duration Good Times, Azvex Monster Aquarium & Two By Two Dreamland Pale. Unfortunately, real cider appears to have been discontinued. So, Hazy Hog on keg was the only option.
I thought the toilets were particularly clean, service was friendly and my beer (Bluntrock Gold) was in excellent condition. So, it was somewhat of a surprise to see that the pub has dropped out of the Good Beer Guide. Dogs are welcome.
On 8th December 2025
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3372 recommendations about 3370 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The John O'Gaunt Inn
They've done a good job covering the garden area for Rona re-opening. A decent set of beers on though I don't think they're ticking over as fast as they should be to justify the range judging by my Dorking (NBSS 2.5). Plenty of staff on to wait tables but it's fair to say that a number of them are not particulalry well-drilled, standing around the bar area gossiping rather than keeping an eye on the tables. They should go to the Nags in Reading to see how it's done.
March 2017
Still offering a good choice of ales (my Cotswold Lion Best in Show was fine) though the place feels more upmarket and gastro-ey than a proper pub experience like the Downgate.
April 2014
Picked this one for a quick re-visit yesterday. Impressively busy with a lot of food orders. Six ale pumps with an impressively varied selection including Dagger, Milk St (pretty good), Two Cocks, Vale, VIP (fine). Tiny Rebel Oak Smoked stout on keg (though sadly ran out when I ordered), plus a good bottle selection of foreign garb. Bar sometimes left empty as the food was overtaking proceedings. CAMRA mags, papers, Private Eye and Scrabble spotted. Framed Private Eye cartoons and funnies in the gents in bogs. Rang a bell and upon checking discovered this place is now run by the same people who have the Five Bells, Wickham. Whilst not particularly pubby there’s no doubt that the effort is being made here and it’s worth seeking out. Good to see it doing well. Rated 7
June 2013
A former Greene King pub that has now been relinquished by them back to the “Town and Manor of Hungerford” which has resulted in a refit and a new coat of paint. Six ales the bar and a really interesting selection (Milk St, Sunny Republic, Milton, Two Cocks, Loose Cannon). We sampled four of the six, which were in fair-to-good condition. The interior décor is quite bright and ‘modern rustic’ in tone - clearly aimed at the upmarket element, as much of Hungerford is. It perhaps felt a bit sterile but I suppose that’s often the case with new refurbishments and in time it should bed down a bit. Daily papers were available and I was very pleased to see the latest Private Eye nestled amongst them. Pretty quiet on our visit and no piped music. A sign above the bar asks patrons to tell the staff when they do things right as well as things they could do better which alludes to a management engaging with its customers; an all-to-rare occurrence in the pub trade even now. A pub to keep an eye on. Rated 7.
On 26th June 2021
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5964 recommendations about 5943 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Thuck Phat left this review about The John O'Gaunt Inn
A very attractive, traditional town pub which has undergone a sympathetic gastropub refurbishment treatment internally.
Many of the tables were being used by diners but the bar area has stools where the locals gather for a convivial pint. And they are a very friendly and convivial bunch with the tone set by the extrovert and chatty governor who has an obvious passion for good beer. Admirable but it did leave him open for plenty of good natured ribbing.
Service was fast, friendly and efficient and although we didn't eat the menu looked interesting and the food very appetising.
The key though here is the beer with an excellent selection available and everything we tried in great shape. The choice on our visit was from Animal Brewing Roadrunner, XT 15, Two Cocks 1643 Cavalier, Flipside Copper Penny, Vibrant Forest Oak & Coffee Stout and ABC Red Citra. I think that they operate a rolling guest policy but to judge by the beers we found along with the governors knowledge and enthusiasm, you'd be unlikely not to find something which tickled the fancy.
Great beer and very good company. A winner.
On 3rd August 2016
- rating: 10
[User has posted 692 recommendations about 691 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The John O'Gaunt Inn
An outstanding real ale pub.Formerly a Morlands house,this traditional building has a modern interior with the bar to the right,and a pleasing mix of tables and chairs in this section.This is the area that the friendly and welcoming regulars gather and good conversation rules the day.To the left are two sections with tables more suited for diners,some interesting carved chairs backs but still available for drinkers ,although well used by diners when the kitchen is busy.
At the bar there are 6 handpumps serving outstanding ale from mainly leading local micro brewers across a well thought out selection of styles and strengths.My Animal Roadrunner,Vibrant Forest Oat & Coffee Stout and Aylesbury Brewing Red Citra were all sublime.There is a motivated young serving crew,very helpful and offering tasters.Real cider also features large in here.
As the evening wore on and the pints were being sunk,we met the owner who is wonderfully enthusiastic about real ale and both this pub and the sister operation The Five Bells,Wickham which is CAMRA award winning.He very kindly offered to pay our return cab fare if we pitched up in Wickham,nice touch.
The regulars were a great bunch as well,so a terrific evening was had by all.The pub is the closest to the Kennet & Avon Canal,there is no need to go anywhere else in Hungerford and for me this is a straight 10.One of the best real ale pubs in the country,an unmissable treat.
On 15th July 2016
- rating: 10
[User has posted 3112 recommendations about 3112 pubs]