Saturday 16 May 2026.

All welcome to join the tour, whether a CAMRA member or not.

A Word version of the tour notes is here: Word Tour Notes and a PDF version is here PDF Tour Notes. Laurence Fryer has kindly produced a map of Reading showing the pubs on the tour (blue numbers), as well as two Wetherspoon pubs (red numbers). a link to the map is here: Tour Map

1. Greyfriar

Arrive: 12 Noon

Address: The Greyfriar, Greyfriars Rd, Reading, RG1 1PA.

Real ales: The pub is in the Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) Good Beer Guide 2026 and there is a discount for card-carrying CAMRA members. A range of four changing cask ales and six ciders are normally served here.

Read about the Greyfriar

Directions to next pub: On leaving the pub, cross over Greyfriars Road, walk up Station Road and up the steps to

2. Three Guineas

Arrive: 12.45 PM. This pub is the official lunch stop for those who may wish to purchase food.

Address: The Three Guineas, Station Approach, Reading, RG1 1LY.

Real ales: The pub is in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide 2026 and there is a discount for card-carrying CAMRA members. Dark Star American Pale Ale; Fuller’s ESB, London Pride and Oliver’s Island; and Gales HSB and Seafarers are normally served here.

Read about the Three Guineas

Directions to next pub: On leaving the pub, continue straight ahead towards the Grade II-listed statue of King Edward VII. The listing description is as follows: “1902 to commemorate Coronation. Sculptor: George Edward Wade. Large bronze statue of the King in Coronation robes. High polished granite plinth with Ionic corner scroll balusters and re-entrant cornice.” Walk to the junction with Blagrave Street, turn left and walk along Blagrave Street. Cross over Blagrave Street and continue around Blagrave Street to bus stop EO (called Blagrave Street). Catch a 17 bus to stop 4 (called Huntley and Palmers). Alight from the bus and pause to view the locally listed Huntley and Palmer Social Club. The local listing description is as follows: “The Huntley and Palmer Social Club is a survivor from the Huntley & Palmers factory that covered a vast site around the Kennet from the mid-nineteenth century until the second half of the twentieth century. In 1846 Huntley & Palmers purchased an old silk mill and embarked on a programme of additions and expansions. In 1873 new buildings north of the river and the original site were added. The building is typical Reading red brick with coloured brick details. The architect could have been local architect William Henry Woodman who is known to have worked on some of the factory buildings. He became borough surveyor in the mid 1850s. He has many significant Reading landmarks to his credit including the almshouses on Castle Street. When Huntley & Palmers left Reading a piece of land was given to Reading Borough Council for the benefit of residents that included that on which the former social club stands. The future of the building resulted in at least two campaigns. In March 1990 a group of artists took over the building a few weeks before RBC was due to begin using it as offices. The group wanted the council to give a commitment for the building to become an arts centre. An open day was held at ‘Biscuit Base’. Press quotes in the Evening Post included John Punter of Reading Civic Society wished “every support for the public use of a historic building.” ‘Don’t let Huntley & Palmers become history’. On 30 July 1994 at the factory garden (Huntley & Palmers, also given to RBC) a picnic was held to protest against its demolition. A local campaign led by Edward Hancock raised a petition of over 2,000 signatures that was presented to the RBC planning committee. The committee agreed to save the building. By 1998 the building had been converted to social housing and was officially opened on 20 April along with new houses along the canal. The properties are owned and managed by Stonewater Ltd (registered society 20558R), previously Raglan Housing Association.” Turn left and walk to the pelican crossing. Cross over King’s Road, turn left and cross over the road via the pelican crossing to Watlington Street. Turn right and walk up Watlington Street to the junction with Queen’s Road. Cross over Queen’s Road, turn left and continue walking along Queen’s Road to the junction with St John’s Street. Turn right into St John’s Street and walk along St John’s Street to

3. Retreat

Arrive: 2.45 PM.

Address: The Retreat, 8 St John's St, Retreat, RG1 4EH.

Real ales: This pub is in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide 2026. Dark Star Hophead; Harveys Sussex Best; St Austell Tribute; and XT Stout are normally served here.

Read about the Retreat

Directions to next pub: Cross over St John’s Street, turn left and and walk down St John’s Street to the junction with Queen’s Road. Turn right and walk up Queen’s Road to bus stop 17 (called Eldon Road). Catch a 17 bus to the stop called St Mary’s Butts. Alight from the bus, turn right and cross over St Mary’s Butts. Turn left and walk up St Mary’s Butts to

4. Allied Arms

Arrive: 3.30 PM.

Address: The Allied Arms, 57 St Mary's Butts, Reading, RG1 2LG.

Real ales: The pub is in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide 2026. Buxton Plan Bee; Loddon Hullabaloo; Verdant Penpol; and Woodforde’s Albion Stout; plus at least one real cider or perry in a box are normally served here.

Read about the Allied Arms

Directions to next pub: On leaving the pub, cross over St Mary’s Butts, turn left and walk down St Mary’s Butts to the junction with Castle Street. Turn right and walk along Castle Street to

5. Rising Sun

Arrive: 4.15 PM.

Address: The Rising Sun, 16 Castle St, Reading, RG1 7RD.

Real ales: Fuller’s London Pride; Rebellion IPA; and Timothy Taylor Landlord are normally served here.

Read about the Rising Sun

Directions to next pub: Turn right out of the pub and walk along Castle Street to the roundabout. Cross over several roads via pelican crossings to continue to walk along Castle Street to

6. Castle Tap

Arrive: 4.45 PM

Address: The Castle Tap, 120 Castle St, Reading, RG1 7RJ.

Real ales: The pub is in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide 2026. A range of four changing cask ales plus up to five real ciders are normally served here.

Read about the Castle Tap

Directions to next pub: Turn right out of the pub and walk along Castle Street to the junction with Carey Street. Turn right into Carey Street and walk down Carey Street to the junction with Baker Street. Cross over Baker Street then note the plaque to Henry Fox Talbot at 55 Baker Street. The Russell Street/Castle Hill Conservation Area description of the buildings in the terrace is as follows: “The stuccoed, late-Georgian terrace at 37- 55 Baker Street built prior to 1833, are the oldest houses on the eastern part of that street originally named Russell Terrace in this section. Their poor condition belies their historical importance. A significant pioneer of early photography, Henry Fox Talbot had his “Reading Establishment” studio at 55 Baker Street. The site is worthy of enhanced designation.” Turn left and walk along Baker Street to the junction with Russell Street. Turn right into Russell Street and walk along Russell Street to

7. Nags Head

Arrive: 5.30 PM.

Address: The Nags Head, 5 Russell St, Reading, RG1 7XD.

Real ales: The pub is in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide 2026. Twelve changing cask ales and several ciders and perries are normally served here.

Read about the Nags Head