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Real
Ales on Tap:
Arkell's 3B
West Berks Brick Kiln Bitter
plus a guest.
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Nearest
Accommodation:
Audley Cottage
Slanting Hill, Hermitage, nr Newbury
Berkshire, RG18 9QG
(01635) 200353
S: from £25-£30
D: from £50-£60.
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To get to this pub is a real pathfinder mission in
itself. At the end of a dusty track round the edge of a wood, you could get lost
here and no one would ever find you. Of course, if you didn't find the Pot Kiln
you would be missing a gem of a pub. The map link below will see you right,
though zoom out to 25,000 and its the PH slightly down from the circle. The Pot
Kiln was sold in 2005 to a TV chef who has already altered the interior by
knocking down a wall. The pub itself dates back to the mid 16th Century. As
such it has a very unspoilt inside - despite recent vandalism - that has many original features such as the
range and the fireplaces. On entering there are three main drinking areas and
the central bar serves them all to varying degrees. The room on the left reminds
of a typical public bar with bare floors and traditional round dark wood tables
and chairs. The bar is quite high here and a small person would have difficulty
being seen to be served if it got too busy. The 'main' bar has been opened up to
include the public bar). Still serving real ale, but for how long no one knows. West Berkshire is
still brewing
behind the pub. They also
have Arkells 3B on as a regular ale plus a guest - this time from Rebellion.
There is a room to the left which is larger having longer pine/kitchen tables
and chairs/benches available. There is also a small corner of a bar here where
you can be served. The floor is bare and there is a fireplace for winter.
Further on is the ladies toilets and a small room for dining and children can
eat here. The beers on at the the time were of course the Brick Kiln Bitter
which was superb and the Arkell's likewise plus a guest. For the summer you can sit outside on the wall or in the beer
garden. This has wonderful views over the open country and woodland opposite.
Some horses are also kept in a field next to the pub. Food is now the main
reason to go here and is served during opening hours, but check for more
specific times. All
food is home cooked, containing fresh produce. As all food is cooked
to order, at weekends and when busy there can be delays with food orders. As
this is walking country dogs are welcome if behaved - this may change. There is no piped music or fruit machines. Access for the
disabled is possible to the pub, however the gents toilets are outside through a
narrow door with turning.
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12-2.30 (not
Tue), 6.30-11 |
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| Additional Notes: |
Was visiting just to get to The
Pot Kiln as we had heard so many good reviews. The beer was nutty, a real
delight for the taste buds. Just like all the pints you remember from your
youth. A 400 year old pub, popular with locals and visitors alike. Real fire
there but thankfully not lit (it was in the low 80's when we visited).
Friendly barmaid (Sarah) and landlord. No jukebox, slot machines. Easy
wheelchair access. Two bars both stone-floored with bare wood tables.
Toilets clean and tidy. Food was a good selection of rolls and a
lunchtime/dinner menu at reasonable prices. Generous portions served by a
very friendly cook/waitress. Prices from £1.50 up. Recommend the sausages
(they are very tasty). Good selection of vegetarian dishes. (Nigel Brooks -
22/8/03) |
  
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