10 Best Pubs in Newbury

The Catherine Wheel will take care of your hunger as well as your thirst. The menu serves up a large variety of pub food with a particular focus on the delicious Pieminister pies. Vegans and vegetarians haven’t been forgotten either, thanks to the Mooless Moo steak and other dishes. There is also a separate kids menu serving up mini plates of classic pub grub.

The gin bar offers over 150 varieties but don’t worry, the in-house gin experts will help you choose. The award-winning range of homegrown ciders features local brewers, and popular ciders from major breweries are also available. Beer lovers will be well served too with a wide selection of craft beers.

The Lock Stock & Barrel sits on the scenic banks of the River Kennet, ready to fill your stomach with a tasty selection of snacks, main courses, sandwiches and puddings. Choose from slow-cooked duck or a quinoa and beetroot burger and many more. The menu also contains plant-based or vegetarian options and every item has its calorie count listed.

On the drinks side, you will find well-kept cask ales, lagers and Fuller’s cider. There is also an extensive wine list if you’d like to sip a glass with your meal. The pub can host private gatherings too, since it has several areas that can be separated off, including a roof terrace. It’s fully accessible and also welcomes dogs.

The Hatchet Inn is the perfect place to stay if you’d like a very short walk from the bar to your room. A traditional looking pub, it is located in the centre of Newbury, where coaching inns were already doing brisk business in the 1700s. The train station is ideally located just a few hundred metres away.

Part of the J D Wetherspoon chain, The Hatchet Inn contains all the features a Wetherspoon’s is known for. Expect a huge and reasonably priced menu catering to every member of your group, whether they fancy breakfast, burgers, curries or pub classics like bangers and mash. Try to leave some room for the ale though, as the drinks menu is just as varied.

The Red House is a classic British pub with a thatched roof in the village of Marsh Benham, just west of Newbury. The menu is filled with traditional British food like roasted lamb and fish and chips, and the pub is open for lunch and dinner every day. In addition to various homemade desserts (try the lemon and lime posset), you can also enjoy a selection of ice cream flavours which include vegan options.

When it comes to drinks, you will be spoiled for choice with local ales and some hand-picked wines. The pub sits in the middle of beautiful countryside, surrounded by peaceful farmland. It’s a popular place to enjoy Sunday lunch for both locals and visitors.

The Crab & Boar is a lovely village pub that also offers comfortable boutique bedrooms and an airy beer garden. The delicious food is locally sourced and uses fresh, seasonal ingredients and there is also a children’s menu for younger diners. The bar serves cask ale, craft beer, cider and cocktails, and also boasts a large wine list. If you ask, the staff will probably recommend a pint of Butcombe and a classic Scotch egg.

If you want to host a celebration, The Crab & Boar can deliver. Located just a few miles from Newbury, it’s easy to get to and offers several versatile spaces for any kind of occasion.

The Bacon Arms offers food, drink and lodging at a convenient location in Newbury and is a great base for exploring the area’s attractions. When thirst strikes after your daily wanderings, settle down to enjoy the cask ale, wine, spirits and an appetising selection of soft drinks.

The menu has something to match every appetite and it includes vegan and vegetarian options, plus information about possible allergens. A classic jacket potato or beef lasagne followed by a blood orange brownie are just some of the mouth-watering meals on offer. When you can’t eat a single bite more, just wander to your room for a refreshing nap.

The Cow & Cask pub is the ideal destination for fans of ale and cider. It is tucked away near the Newbury railway station and is Berkshire’s first micropub. The range of real ales and local ciders is ever-changing and served straight from casks. The pub might take a moment to find on your first visit, but stepping inside feels like you’ve discovered hidden treasure.

The staff are friendly, knowledgeable and ready to recommend your new favourite tipple or provide bar snacks. One feature of micropubs, Cow & Cask very much included, is that table sharing and chatting to new people is almost guaranteed, leading to a great community feel.

The Coopers Arms is a thriving, old-fashioned British pub in a Grade II Listed historical building. This busy establishment has a great atmosphere and serves as a community centre with several clubs meeting there such as folk musicians or motorcycle enthusiasts.

The owners are friendly and like to mingle. The pub is also dog-friendly in case you happen to bring your 4-legged friend along. Besides enjoying the classic pub grub and Arkell’s house beers, you can play pool with friends or watch the latest football games on TV. All this makes The Coopers Arms a proper traditional drinking pub.

The charming King Charles Tavern, or KC as it is also known locally, is situated in central Newbury and is renowned for its friendly staff and good service. Step inside this Grade II Listed historical building and enjoy a variety of traditional pub food such as fish and chips and delicious Sunday roasts. Leave some room for a tasty chocolate tart or delectable cheeseboard too.

If the weather is poor, warm yourself by one of the pub’s 3 grand fireplaces. Try one of the real ale options from the rotating selection and relax indoors until it’s time to continue exploring the market town.

The Newbury Pub & Rooftop Terrace offers a beautiful place to stargaze and enjoy high quality food and drink. Handmade cocktails include both old classics and contemporary choices such as a banoffee espresso martini. The wine list features bottles from all over the world and there is a diverse range of beers and spirits to choose from, as well as a wide non-alcoholic beverage selection.

The pub is well equipped to take care of your hunger too. Seasonal and sustainable ingredients are a priority, and the seafood specials are mouth-watering. Each menu puts a modern spin on pub grub but be sure to try the crispy pork skin or halloumi bites from the Terrace Street Food menu.