The Three Guineas, Reading

You'd not be surprised if the pub adjacent to the station was a bit of a dive, but fortunately not this one. A good range of local ales, the usual lagers, plus a range of reasonably-priced food made this a fine place to meet. The good weather may well have helped, as there was a fair crowd outside, leaving plenty of room inside for sun-dodgers. As noted already, the main decor is a collection of rugby shirts hanging on every wall, although I also noted an impressive collection of health and safety notices and certificates near one of the doors - always a reassuring touch. Not a bad place, then, to wait between trains at the building site that is Reading Station currently. Having said that, the Guineas is, itself, being done up as I write and is expected to reopen at the end of July.

From a distance a far more impressive exterior than interior,it has the feel of a sports bar with three flat screens for sport and rather blinking departure details if you are in for a quick one before departing by train.As a wag on the crawl noted,maybe this pub should be called The Free Guiness,but no such luck on our trip,the eight handpumps were dispensing ale from West Berkshire (Dr Hexters Healer,Coronation Gold,Good Old Boy )and Upham (Punter,Stakes) with several handpumps doubled up.The condition of my Punter (£3.60) left something to be desired. Around the walls there are benches that looked as if they may have come from a waiting room,but what really catches the eye is the collection of rugby shirts around the ceiling.The bare floorboards complete the look,it may be fine for a swift one,but I was happy to move on.

A very handy location in the old Reading station building and right next door to the current entrance. A very handy large pub to visit if you have 20 minutes or more awaiting your connecting train especially if you are after a good range of ales. Can be busy when there is a football match on in Reading but sometimes we have been there on such days and its been quiet even after the match has ended. The only down side is that they have to serve you in plastic glasses on match days. Not quite sure how this place fits in to the big redevelopment of the station though.

Adjacent to reading train station. 8 real ales on & food served. Advertising live music. Rugby and railway memorabilia on the walls. Display screens showing train times. Certainly does the job if waiting on a connection.