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Bird in Hand, Henley Town, Henley-On-Thames

61 Greys Road
Henley-On-Thames
RG9 1SB

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Reviews (Current Rating Average: of 10) Add Review see review guidelines


Quinno _ left this review about Bird in Hand

The only real change here is the sad (but perhaps inevitable) departure of Hooky Dark from the pumps. Beware that it keeps traditional hours and therefore closes for a while on a weekday afternoon. Soon filled-up a few minutes post afternoon opening with a mature and chatty crowd. Five ales at the bar, mainly local with London Pride remaining as their ‘outsider’ beer. One small downside was that there wasn’t much style variation to be had - Golden or Bitter. Pints of GBG quality beer from the two Rebellion sticks rounded-off a lovely hour or so, which included chatting to the former headmaster of the local College. It’s a super little pub and I must get back here more often.

February 2018
Remains the best pub in Henley, with good beer, a friendly crowd and lovely garden. A couple of stop-offs during the Reading CAMRA Ale Trail found enjoyable pints of the Hooky Dark. Consistently excellent, so up a point. Rated 9

January 2013
A long-overdue return visit found four ales on the go, with Pride and Hooky Dark remaining from previous. My Church End Winterval was fine but the Hooky Dark was a bit flat, which is unusual for here. Place was absolutely packed out and I couldn’t find a seat. At least it now has some real competition! Rugby was being shown (almost silently) on the TV. Rated 8

May 2010
An unassuming local, two minutes stroll from the immediate town centre. The beer (five ales, with some interesting local choices – staple beer is Pride) and the surroundings are still the best in Henley by a stretch (the cigarette cards are an interesting feature). The interior is cosy and convivial, it’s easy to strike up a conversation but also no worries about sitting quietly with a book or newspaper. TV is available for sports but only seems to be switched on when the event is taking place – good! There’s a lovely garden out the back, ideal for the summer months, a real sun-trap and it has an aviary too.

On 16th May 2023 - rating: 9
[User has posted 5050 recommendations about 5033 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Graham Coombs left this review about Bird in Hand

A nice traditional pub on the way out of town, with a good and changing selection of ales (note the pump clips on the ceiling). An unassuming front bar with a larger room behind, all with old-school furnishings. Garden at the back too. We were a little bemused by the oche facing a flatscreen TV, until we noticed a hinged cover to carry a dartboard! Appears to be popular with the locals but note it does not stay open all afternoon. Beers on today were Braks Gravity, West Berks Good Old Boy, XT no.4, Windsor Guardsman and London Pride.

On 10th December 2019 - rating: 8
[User has posted 3322 recommendations about 3259 pubs]


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Bucking Fastard left this review about Bird in Hand

Well away from the tourist hoards that infect other parts of town,this is a charming little local with a long standing and friendly couple who run it,and many years service in The Good Beer Guide.Mid terrace,the entrance opens into an L shaped single room with the bar in one corner.Everything internally is traditional,with a seating bench running along most of the wall opposite the bar,and some interesting framed pictures about past like in Henley.There were two flatscreen but turned off,this doesn't look like a sports bar.Food is just bar snacks such as pork pies,pasties,scotch eggs and my sausage roll was tasty and good value.
On the bar there are 5 handpumps serving on my trip Brakspears Bitter,Hooky Mild,London Pride,Sharp's Own and a very decent Church End Goats Milk.With a few national brewers being featured you could say the choice was unexciting,but it was good to see a mild,and the condition of everything the crew tried was spot on.Closes midweek at 2.30pm ,but we were not rushed out,I liked this pub a lot and relative to the other pubs in town ,this is at the top of the local real ale scene.I would pop back when next around.

On 21st July 2016 - rating: 8
[User has posted 2709 recommendations about 2709 pubs]


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Ian Mapp left this review about Bird in Hand

Popped in here as I was walking in the area and on beerintheevening.com - it's number 4 of the Oxfordshire County Pubs.

After a fine walk, we found this place, a shortway out of town. Despite being a warm spring day, the only punters were crowded around the bar in the dark - there's a beautiful beer garden around the back.

They were all friendly and made space for me to order our drinks - choice of 4 real ales on - Ghost Ship, London Pride, Brakespear's Bitter and one I don't remember. I went for the Oxfordshire classic - and it was perfect.

Even nicer outside by the aviary.

Some photos from my walking blog at - http://tinyurl.com/kky5a4z

On 4th May 2015 - rating: 9
[User has posted 1329 recommendations about 1315 pubs]


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Peter Rydings left this review about Bird in Hand

Another one of Henleys gems theres plenty about nice little free house very busy to busy for us had a good pint of Wheeltappers from the cottage Brewing worth a visit will call back when in the area

On 1st July 2014 - rating: 10
[User has posted 948 recommendations about 917 pubs]


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Malden man left this review about Bird In Hand

Pleasant town pub a short walk uphill from town. The main bar is now one L shaped area with the bar in the corner. Carpeted, small tables with a choice of benches, settles and low stools plus the usual stools at the bar. Framed collections of cigarette cards hang on the wall, there is a plasma screen near the bar,live sports are shown. Towards the rear is a proper family room with children welcome....although none were in at the time...and doors lead to a garden complete with aviary.
Very dog friendly, the pub has its own and a couple of the locals chatting by the bar had a hound in tow. The secondary stable type door is presumably there to prevent escapees.
A good selection of ales, Eccleshall(Slaters) High Duck, Hook Norton Hooky Dark, Loddon Hoppit, Brakspears Bitter and London Pride. Nice to see one of the bar drinkers move straight to one side so I could see the selection. Pump clips above the bar indicate a good changing range.
A comfortable welcoming place with a warm vibe, I'd certainly pop in again if passing nearby.

On 6th February 2010 - rating: 8
[User has posted 1707 recommendations about 1681 pubs]


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ROB Camra left this review about Bird in Hand

Excellent little pub. It was sunny so we sat in the beer garden surrounded by rabbits and assorted multi coloured exotic birds and with regular visits from a large black labrador type dog (Monty) who simply needed his stomach tickled every so often. We tried the two guest beers Gales Happy Hog and Cottage Wessex Sup. Both were in very good form and the couple of regulars we spoke to were very friendly. Quick efficient bar staff and whilst the price for a pint around here always comes as a shock to us Northerners it appears to be about standard in the area. The best pub in Henley in our humble opinion. Well kept beer including guest beers, good friendly service, nice pub, lovely garden. What more could you want from a pub?"

On 7th July 2007 - rating: 9
[User has posted 3216 recommendations about 3127 pubs]