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Detail Pages
The Rowbarge, Reading
Woolhampton
Postal town: Reading
RG7 5SH
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Rowbarge
Things have moved forward in this Brunning & Price outlet. My latest visit found six ales on from Vale, Tring, Loose Cannon, Red Cat, Corn Dolly and the ubiquitous B&P house beer. I tried four of the six, and all were in good-to-excellent shape. Also interesting to note how busy the pub was on a Friday mid-afternoon. We retired outside to the beautiful canalside garden with weeping willow and barges going through the swing bridge. Despite the corporate ownership, this is an excellent all-rounder that demands a visit – and it’s yards from the rail station, so there’s no real reason not to.
July 2011
A large pub down a small road off the A4, now modernised and focussed very much on dining. However there are some ales to be had (West Berks Good Old Boy and Mr Chubbs alongside Sharps Doom Bar on my visit). I worked my way through all three and they were in pretty good shape. There’s a large beer garden overlooking Kennet and Avon Canal to the rear, a winner on a summer’s day. The toilets are a hike up a long staircase and possess a very low ceiling, which can be fun. I’ve never eaten here but friends seemed happy with their grub (I stuck to the nutrition provided by my beer!). Also handy for Midgham BR. Overall, better than I dared expect and I'd try it again. Rated 7
On 19th May 2017
- rating: 8
[User has posted 5108 recommendations about 5091 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
paulof horsham left this review about The Rowbarge
The Rowbarge is situated adjacent to Woolhampton Lock on the Kennet & Avon Canal - the towpath is part of the local cycle-path network; it's a very pleasant area.
The pub is part of the Brunning & Price chain, so it has a heavy emphasis on good food, at the higher end of the pub-food price range, along with a good selection of ales and wines. It's well-maintained inside and has a large garden outside. It's clearly a popular place - every table seemed to be taken (by diners) on our visit.
The beer range is certainly more interesting than in our local B&P; possibly a few too many Christmas specials, but there were none of the usual suspects spoiling the pumps. My pint was in good nick and £3.60 seemed a fair price (certainly fairer than in my local B&P!).
I didn't investigate sufficiently to see how welcome non-diners would have been, but it's perhaps understandable that the management would want to make the most of a Sunday lunchtime; any other time I'd expect it to be a little less manic. In any case, there's a couple of other pubs (and a station) just a few minutes away.
On 24th December 2013
- rating: 7
[User has posted 453 recommendations about 425 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Happy Supper left this review about The Rowbarge Inn
Now a Blubeckers - not as good as it was but still worth a visit on a sunny day - sit outside by the river/canal. The ale is good, as is the food.
On 11th June 2008
- rating: 8
[User has posted 13 recommendations about 13 pubs]