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Detail Pages
The Crown at Bray, Maidenhead
Bray
Postal town: Maidenhead
SL6 2AH
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 5½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blackthorn _ left this review about The Crown at Bray
An attractive looking pub in the centre of this very pleasant village, like The Hinds Head just along the road, it is owned by celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal and whilst is did perhaps have something of an emphasis on dining, it didn’t appear to be overtly so and certainly retained it’s cosy and traditional pub ambience, with a few of his books for sale behind the bar counter being the only obvious sign of it’s ownership. A jar of dog biscuits behind the bar further emphasised the fact that this is still a pub and not a restaurant.
Internally it’s divided in to several different rooms all of which have a pleasant, “olde worlde” ambience with a low beamed ceiling, as well as several chunky supporting timber pillars. The flooring is a narrow wood strip, whilst there was dark wood panelling on the lower part of the walls with rough cream plasterwork above. Elsewhere was some pale wood panelling, and a number of old pictures of the locale, and a few portrait photographs, were dotted around the walls. A free standing, dual aspect brick chimney breast separated two of the rooms, and a real log fire was blazing away which was a nice touch during the unseasonably cold weather. A further old fireplace was off to the left, although this looked to be unused. A large brass Courage Beers sign was hanging above it. Despite it’s rustic appearance, the majority of the tables did look to be reserved for dining, and we perched on a couple of stools at the bar, where it appeared that most other non-dining punters were congregating. This was fine for us as we only popped in for a quick drink before going for a meal in Heston’s restaurant just up the road, but it would perhaps be a little uncomfortable if settling in for a longer session.
Beers on tap were Marlow’s Rebellion IPA, Bath Ales Gem, Dark Star Hophead and Courage Directors, whilst a fifth pump appeared unused. The solitary cider was Orchard Thieves which went down very well, although the prices seemed expensive with a pint of that and an orange juice and lemonade coming in at £9. Overall, I thought this was a very nice pub and would certainly stop by again if in the area.
On 16th April 2019
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1948 recommendations about 1861 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Crown at Bray
Historic building with lots of character inside. Nothing is straight in here, all walls and dark wood beams are wonky like something out of Alice in Wonderland. Inside is a higgledy-piggledy state of small areas and various levels but overall there’s an impression of there being two rooms. To the rear is a paved courtyard replete with red telephone box and impressive grassed garden beyond. Three ales on; Caledonian Gold, Courage Best and Directors. Not a particularly inspiring selection (you’d think a pub owned by Heston Blumenthal would be somewhat more adventurous?) but my half of Directors was in pretty good shape nonetheless. I enjoyed my half hour here and would be happy to sample it again.
On 20th June 2015
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5099 recommendations about 5082 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
miv Hughes left this review about The Crown Inn At Bray
This is/was one of our favourite eating places,so chose it to celebrate our 44th wedding anniversary with family members. Sadly, it is no longer the welcoming place it was. It has apparently been recently bought by Blumenthal,and is now an up market place for the wealthy businessman. Gone is the lovely pub food-lasagne in particular, and in it's place is something else.The staff are pleasant, but the atmosphere is gone.Heston should restore the pub to what it should be or he will lose customers
On 30th July 2010
- rating: 2
[User has posted 1 recommendations about 1 pubs]