The Bridge House, Paley Street, Maidenhead

Newly refurbed and reopened after a long period of closure. A pleasingly multi-area’d interior and done out in white and duck egg shades that whilst obviously new isn’t overly clinical and will feel fairly cosy after getting that lived-in feel. Pub is welcoming to diners and drinkers with three ales on; Rebellion IPA, Wells Poppy and Harveys Sussex Best. Both Desmond and I went a bundle on the Harveys and were rewarded with a first class beer, served-up by a friendly bar lady. Also noted an obvious wine rack to the side of the bar, so presumably a better-than-usual selection. A major talking point between Desmond and I was the black and white photo of various stars of the 70’s outside a pub (turns out it’s the Belgian Arms in Holyport, the landlord’s previous place, after a charity golf tournament) stars included Tarby, Brucie, Ronnie Corbett, Sean Connery plus a load of others whose faces we recognised but couldn’t conjure a name for. Also there’s a collection of framed cigarette cards. Pub is home to a small sausage dog, so small you might actually tread on him, so watch out! Smelt like a log fire was on the go somewhere but we didn’t spot it. Football was about to be put on the telly, perhaps a little surprising at first but given the next pub down is a very posh eatery (they do food here, of course), this one’s going for the more local market. Overall this was a very encouraging first impression – I’d be up for popping back in a few months to see how things pan out.