{"id":6271,"date":"2026-05-27T09:15:13","date_gmt":"2026-05-27T09:15:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/londondrinker.camra.org.uk\/wordpress\/?p=6271"},"modified":"2026-05-27T09:15:13","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T09:15:13","slug":"did-you-know-were-on-your-doorstep","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/londondrinker.camra.org.uk\/wordpress\/index.php\/2026\/05\/27\/did-you-know-were-on-your-doorstep\/","title":{"rendered":"Did you know we\u2019re on your doorstep?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where to start? \u00a0Firstly, I think, with one of my favourite pubs, this year\u2019s (and on many previous occasions) our branch Pub of the Year, the White Horse<\/strong><\/a> at Hedgerley. \u00a0This pub has everything; it truly is a classic country pub.\u00a0 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. \u00a0The real reason for going however is, of course, the beer. \u00a0Kevin, the landlord of many years, keeps one of the best ranges of real ales in the south east. \u00a0There 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. \u00a0If you don\u2019t 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\u2019s a bus ride and a short walk to the pub.\u00a0 Alternatively, you can jump in a taxi outside the station. \u00a0For 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\u2019s a 1.7 mile walk to the pub across the Chilterns countryside. \u00a0Whichever way you do it, trust me, you won\u2019t regret it.<\/p>\n\n\n

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What then of Maidenhead? \u00a0It\u2019s very accessible, towards the western end of the Elizabeth Line (and still covered by the Freedom Pass) or by a fast train from Paddington.\u00a0 There are a number of Good Beer Guide<\/em> pubs but, since last year, we also have the Maidenhead Ale Trail. \u00a0This runs annually from the middle of October to the middle of November but, if you are not worried about having a participant\u2019s badge, the pubs are, of course, there all year round. \u00a0At 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. \u00a0They are all great and there are going to be a couple more this year.\u00a0 I would give a shout out to the Lord Grenfell<\/a><\/strong>, a traditional former Morland\u2019s pub, still with some external tiling.\u00a0 There is also the Hoppy Place<\/a><\/strong>, a town-centre hostelry with a more modern vibe, specialising in craft beer. \u00a0There is an Ale Trail map below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Next, on to Windsor, which is very definitely worth visiting whether you go to the castle or not. \u00a0You 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. \u00a0Both Windsor and Eton have an abundance of great pubs.\u00a0 My favourite is the Windsor Trooper<\/a><\/strong>, a little walk from the town centre and currently our Cider Pub of the Year. \u00a0We do however have a \u2018hidden gem\u2019: 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.\u00a0 There are three breweries within a very short walking distance.\u00a0 These are Windsor & Eton, which has a traditional cask ale offering, plus Indie Rabble and Two Flints which are more craft based.\u00a0 The details are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n