The Barleycorn, Cippenham, Slough

Paid my first visit to this Cippenham pub for the first time in almost 3 years this evening. It's still pretty much as it was then, with a very worn interior, but still with a good range of ales and ciders. The pub looked closed as I approached it, but rest assured, it does open all day daily. Both the barman and customers are exactly the kind of people you would expect to find in a pub like this. Customers were mainly an after-work crowd. All were men. This is not really the kind of place anybody would choose for their first date! Ales on were Rebellion IPA & Overthrow, Church End What The Fox's Hat & Paradigm Smooth Transition. Pumpclips for cider displayed SeaCider Honeycomb Cider, Marmalade Cider & Mango Cider, Snail's Bank Orchard Dry & Gwynt y Ddraig Happy Daze. Although the barman seemed to suggest that there were many more boxes in the cellar behind the bar. Cider was £4.80 a pint. I managed to park at the front of the pub. But there is a public car park, just the other side of the King's Head, which is nextdoor. Still easily the best pub in the Slough area.

Contrasting dramatically with the Kings Head next door, an unspoilt drinkers pub. Splendidly, slightly tatty interior with old school black wood brewer's tudor beams and cream walls. The larger room to the left holds a pool table, while live music features in the back where there is an unkempt outdoor area, as well as rows of tables out the front. Best range of beers In the area however, with a number from Rebellion and several others, along with 4 of 5 ciders. Condition of those sampled was good.