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The Bull Inn

4.4 (14 reviews)
PriceyHotels, British, Pubs

The Bull Inn Photos

THE BULL INN ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Classy
Outdoor seating
Good for kids

Recommended Reviews - The Bull Inn

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Rather tiny room and I don't mind but the Telly is not cooperating
Dewey C.

Normally I would never give a five star rating to a pub with rooms to let that were so teeny, tiny, but this is a big departure for me. I was overwhelmed by the charming atmosphere of the bar and dining areas. The premises are leased to them by the nearby church and I suspect that they would not allow any walls to be removed. If the Bull had taken a wee more modern attitude towards their room size then this might qualify as one of the best establishments of its type in southern England. All of the room amenities were in place and nicely done up, but the space in "Jerome" #4(named for Jerome K. Jerome's witty travel book in which he mentions the Bull) was just too cramped for the 3/4 bed. Aside from my bitching about the room size let's consider the helpful and wonderfully friendly staff. Rupert the front desk/ handyman/dining room server could not have been nicer and the waitstaff were delightful. Now the food, oh my, the food, just wonderful pub dishes with a little upgrading making my haddock and leek chowder something to remember. The banger and mash were yummy. They had a distinct gravy, crunchy onion, and sautéed onion over smooth as silk mash and perhaps local porkers. Their ribeye was memorable for the Roquefort butter, potato cake, peeled tomatoes and perfectly cooked mushroom crown. I word here about their breakfast is necessary. They offer a large number of the most mouth watering, fresh and cooked to order items. I may have been a bit overzealous and filled up more that I normally would have a home (yoghurt and fruit) and had the nicest, lightly smoked haddock (poached egg and white sauce), all sorts of fresh or poached fruit, croissants, toast, marmite and goodness knows what else. My tummy protrudeth. I agonized a bit over what the have for puddin' but settled on a flaky, slightly tart strudel. The beer and wine was just what one would expect; it's a country pub after all so no Ace of Spades or vintage XO. That might have been as the bard said, "To gild refined gold, to paint the lily, to throw a perfume on the violet, to smooth the ice, or add another hue unto the rainbow, or with taper-light to seek the beauteous eye of heaven to garnish, is wasteful and ridiculous excess." I want to make special mention of Peter Bilton, the Deputy Manager. Peter went out of his way to be pleasant and charming. The bull with it's charm, friendly patrons, guests, food and service make my list, however, as Jerome K. Jerome puts it, "It is always the best policy to speak the truth, unless, of course, you are an exceptionally good liar."

Qype User (thesus…)

The Bull is located near to Sonning Lock and the River Thames. It's a modest walk from Reading and is the best country boozer accessible by foot from town. A dark, beamed sixteenth century classic. For what it's worth it gets a mention in Jerome K Jerome's 'Three Men in a Boat'.......

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3 years ago

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3 years ago

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15 years ago

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11 years ago

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Review Highlights - The Bull Inn

All of the room amenities were in place and nicely done up, but the space in "Jerome" #4(named for Jerome K.

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The St George & Dragon - Gammon, egg and chips - well worth a try, goes down very well, especially with a nice cold pint!

The St George & Dragon

2.8(5 reviews)
2.8 mi
££

The George & Dragon is about the nicest pub you'll ever enter, right on the Thames with a terrace…read moreoutside overlooking the water. It has a really nicely refurbished interior, and the menu is very gastropub-y, with some complex dishes mixed with traditional favorites. The Peroni beer fish and chips was really super, with a great zing and bite to the batter. The classic burger was...a burger. One of our party truly savored the baked cod with mash and cream and shrimp sauce, while the kids downed cheese pizzas without much delay or conversation. The desserts were functional rather than spectacular or diverting, but tasty all the same: ice cream sundaes for the normal and sticky toffee pudding for the sweet-toothed. The service was good but had one flaw; nut allergies were noted but ignored when biscotti with almonds arrived with our coffees. Disaster averted, we thoroughly enjoyed the meal, and the staff were very accommodating otherwise. We'd definitely return. It's a lovely spot for a bite to eat or pint to sup.

Came here for Sunday lunch today. Very disappointing experience…read more The restaurant was packed and busy, as it was Mother's Day. and I had high hopes. We ordered the beef roast and pizza for the children. The meal was depressingly bad, with not one good element. The beef was stringy and tasteless, the yorkshire puddings solid, and potatoes were soggy. The pizzas were heavy on cheese and light on everything else. Everything was lukewarm. Although in general the service was friendly and accommodating, the coffee arrived ten minutes after the bill. Pleasant venue and surroundings but not to be recommended if you like good food.

The Bull Inn - hotels - Updated May 2026

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