The Bull Inn

The food is the main draw. My medium-rare rib-eye was excellent quality and cooked perfectly, and the staff were friendly and helpful. The bar has a good beer selection, though it's small and gets crowded. Most of the Inn is set up for dining, so there are only a few places by the bar for casual drinks. It's a very nice traditional pub with rooms, which are well appointed and suit the old Inn. If you're staying, arrive early because parking can be difficult with the small car park.

The room was great, with a super king bed and a large walk-in shower. After breakfast, I walked along the river, then had lunch with friends, and the food was just as good as the night before. I'd stayed Monday evening and had a lovely dinner, with pie of the day and a couple of excellent pints of HSB and London Pride, both kept really well. It's a beautiful old pub, and I've had many excellent pints here over the years while working in the TV business park. It was great to stay and enjoy the atmosphere properly.

The hotel isn't suitable for anyone with mobility issues. The bar also closes relatively early for a hotel, and breakfast hours are limited to two hours, though it was good and cooked to order. Restaurant food was good quality and fairly priced. I stayed one night for a reunion with colleagues. Reception was very friendly, and because of the property's layout, someone showed me to my room. It was spacious, clean, and had the usual amenities, with slippers as a nice touch. The shower was good, the bed very comfortable, and the crisp cotton sheets were lovely.

On Tuesday I realised I'd left my sunglasses behind. Katie, who works there, told me someone had handed them in and helped get them back to London to me. Thanks to whoever found them, and to Katie. I look forward to the next visit. I'm not from Reading, and this was my first time there. The location is beautiful, and the pub felt properly traditional. The crowd was really nice, with people at different tables chatting, unlike in London. Staff were great from arrival to departure and very patient with our two dogs. The roast was big, with very fresh ingredients, and I loved the Guinness brownie.