While reading the article in the February/March edition about the threatened pubs of Heathrow (I grew up down the road from Harmondsworth), I realised that I needed to write this article. This year I am the organiser of the Maidenhead Beer and Cider Festival and I had been scratching my head as to how to promote the festival more widely. It then dawned on me just how near the delights of CAMRA’s Slough, Windsor and Maidenhead branch are for London drinkers. I thought therefore that I would share some of them with you, as they really are worth visiting and are very accessible from all over London.
Where to start? Firstly, I think, with one of my favourite pubs, this year’s (and on many previous occasions) our branch Pub of the Year, the White Horse at Hedgerley. This pub has everything; it truly is a classic country pub. Set in a stunning village, it is Grade II listed and, at lunchtimes, serves exquisite (and very affordable) food, including a selection of puddings to die for. The real reason for going however is, of course, the beer. Kevin, the landlord of many years, keeps one of the best ranges of real ales in the south east. There are always at least ten available to try, from breweries all over the country and including all colours and strengths; there really is something for everyone. If you don’t have a designated driver to get there (my son takes me on our way to football at least once a month), you can take the train to Slough and it’s a bus ride and a short walk to the pub. Alternatively, you can jump in a taxi outside the station. For the really adventurous, you can take the Underground to Uxbridge, then the 102 Flightline bus to High Wycombe (alight at the Mumfords Lane stop before the Crowne Plaza Hotel) and then it’s a 1.7 mile walk to the pub across the Chilterns countryside. Whichever way you do it, trust me, you won’t regret it.
What then of Maidenhead? It’s very accessible, towards the western end of the Elizabeth Line (and still covered by the Freedom Pass) or by a fast train from Paddington. There are a number of Good Beer Guide pubs but, since last year, we also have the Maidenhead Ale Trail. This runs annually from the middle of October to the middle of November but, if you are not worried about having a participant’s badge, the pubs are, of course, there all year round. At my age I would find it a bit of a stretch to do all of the trail in one day but it is very doable over a couple of weekends or why not just do a couple of the pubs. They are all great and there are going to be a couple more this year. I would give a shout out to the Lord Grenfell, a traditional former Morland’s pub, still with some external tiling. There is also the Hoppy Place, a town-centre hostelry with a more modern vibe, specialising in craft beer. There is an Ale Trail map below.
Next, on to Windsor, which is very definitely worth visiting whether you go to the castle or not. You can get here on the branch line from Slough (again, Elizabeth Line or fast from Paddington) or on the South West Trains service from Waterloo (and intermediate stations) into Windsor and Eton Riverside. Both Windsor and Eton have an abundance of great pubs. My favourite is the Windsor Trooper, a little walk from the town centre and currently our Cider Pub of the Year. We do however have a ‘hidden gem’: our very own beer mile, which, in my opinion, is on a par with Bermondsey and Walthamstow, once you factor in the other attractions Windsor has to offer. There are three breweries within a very short walking distance. These are Windsor & Eton, which has a traditional cask ale offering, plus Indie Rabble and Two Flints which are more craft based. The details are:
- Windsor & Eton – the Unit 4 Taproom, 4 Vansittart Estate, Duke Street;
- Indie Rabble – 27 The Arches, Alma Road;
- Two Flints – 25-26 The Arches, Alma Road.
Please check their websites for opening hours etc.
Finally, if you have come on the Waterloo line and you still have some drinking time and energy left, get off at Wraysbury, walk down the hill and visit the Perseverance, a wonderful locals pub (and famous for its January Pies and Porters beer festival).
And so, I’ll end with the reason why I started to write this article. This year’s Maidenhead Beer and Cider Festival will take place on Friday 3 and Saturday 4 July. Once again, it is being held at the Sports Bar in Summerleaze Park, which is truly a wonderful venue. We will have a great selection of beers and ciders, food, entertainment and (on Saturday afternoon) something to keep the kids happy. CAMRA members have free entry but, if you book in advance, you can get your first two pints for £9. For further information see our website https://maidenheadbeerfest.camra.org.uk/.
Richard Hemmings