Bracknell’s Boozers A pub tour from Martins Heron to Bracknell

By Mike Dixon

This is a one way walk from Martins Heron to Bracknell Train stations, taking in five different pubs along the way. The total length of the walk is around 4.5 km, and is mostly urban so includes solid paths and pavements and is suitable for any time of the year. If you wish to reduce the walking distance, there are several busses that can be used for parts of the route (especially between pubs 1 and 2).

These pubs typically serve 2 or more real ales, with the Newtown Pippin and Old Manor particularly being of note as entries in the current Good Beer Guide. A number of the pubs also serve food; however it is best to check the pubs web pages and social media for latest opening hours and food serving times as these can vary. While this is planned as a walk between the 2 train stations, several of the pubs also have parking, or there are a number of public car parks in Bracknell town centre.

Parts of this walk was used for one of our previous branch social events. If you’d like to join us in future then please check out our website and social media for details of upcoming events!

The Walk

A. Leave Martins Heron station via the exit at the end of platform 2 (platform heading to Reading). Go down the ramp, turn right and follow the footpath running parallel to the train line.

On reaching a T junction turn left and then immediately right over a bridge crossing a small stream and on to Blewburton Walk, which leads to Uffington Drive.

Turn left on Uffington Drive, the right onto Lobury and left on Cumnor Way. At the end of this road turn right (passing a small playground) and follow this path past some houses and flats, coming out by a small row of shops. On reaching the library turn left onto Ralphs Ride and then you will see the first pub.

1. The Newtown Pippin. This pub had a new landlord in 2021 who has been keen to refurbish the pub and increase the range of beer. It has since become a CAMRA favourite gaining entry to the Good Beer Guide, Most Improved Pub award in 2022 and branch Pub of the Year in 2023. There are 2 bars normally serving 3 real ales, and they occasional have a beer festival on.

On leaving the pub turn right and return along Ralph’s Ride. Continue all the way along Ralphs Ride, going under the railway bridge, until reaching Broad Land. Here turn right at the Stop & Shop Newsagent. At the end of Broad Lane take the underpa ss under the roundabout take the exit directly opposite, signposted to Lilly Hill Drive.

[Optional: there is another pub, The Running Horse, if you take the exit on the right, although this is more focussed on being a family friendly food -oriented pub rather than stocking many real ales].

Go up onto the A329 London Road and follow this, past the petrol station until reaching pub number two on the right.

2. The Royal Oak. This is a deceptively large pub, with pool tables, and sports regularly shown on the TV screens.

Leave the pub when finished and turn right down Bay Road. Continue along Bay Road until reaching Bay Drive, here turn left and then shortly after right down New Road. At the end of New Road there is a small footpath which brings back onto the A329. Here turn right and follow the dual carriage way until reaching another roundabout with an underpass. Here go under the A329, and back up next to Bracknell College. Carry on past the College, a short distance there is then another underpass (near the college entrance) under Church Road. As you exit this underpass take the steps immediately on the right which will bring you up to 3rd pub.

3. The Old Manor. Built in the Tudor era this charming pub stands out in contrast to the more recent buildings of Bracknell. It is part of the Wetherspoons chain, and has 2 bars regularly serving around 6 or more real ales.

When you have finished here exit back down the steps to the path from the underpass, but this time continue along the path following signs for Town Centre (High Street)

Continue along the High Street through the pedestrianised area of Bracknell until reaching the next pub on the right.

4. TheBull. Thisisa populartown centre pub,which featuresa numberofYoungsbeers.

4. The Bull. This is a popular town centre pub, which features a number of Youngs beers.

When finished here go back the way you came but thistime turn rightdown Braccan Walk(justbefore Primark).Continue allthe waydown Braccan Walk, outofthe shopping area and underanother underpass.Here turn rightup the ramp before the busstation,cross2 zebra crossingsand you willsee the finalpub in frontofyou.

When finished here go back the way you came but this time turn right down Braccan Walk (just before Primark). Continue all the way down Braccan Walk, out of the shopping area and under another underpass. Here turn right up the ramp before the bus station, cross 2 zebra crossings and you will see the final pub in front of you.

5. TheMarketInn. Thisisa handyfinalstop fora lastdrink – aswhen you have finished you justneed to crossthe road to reach BracknellStation (B).

5. The Market Inn. This is a handy final stop for a last drink – as when you have finished you just need to cross the road to reach Bracknell Station (B).

Festival Ciders in 2023

Cider is a favourite summer drink in pubs, and you can find a good selection of still ciders in many of our local pubs along with more regular fizzy ciders and fruit ciders in bottles.

Another great place to find a good selection of Real Ciders is at CAMRA Beer and Cider Festivals. The Great British Beer Festival (GBBF) at London Olympia takes place from 1st to 5th August this year. This festival will have a great selection of Ciders as well as National and European Beers. More information is found at: gbbf.org.uk

Our Branch Beer & Cider Festival, the 16th Ascot CAMRA Beer & Cider Festival, will take place on Friday 6th October and Saturday 7th October this year. Apart from the many casks of Real Ales and Key Keg Ales this is always a good opportunity to sample a broad selection of Real Ciders. This year we will have Apple Cider, Pear Cider (Perry) and Fruit Cider (Apples with other fruit mixes), many locally produced.

More information about the Ascot Beer & Cider Festival, which takes place during a full card of Horse Racing, can be found at: ascot.com/horse-races-and-events/autumn-racingweekend/saturday

There will be discounted ticket prices available for CAMRA Members.

Mike Lee – CAMRA Cider Rep - Berkshire South East - cider@seberks.camra.org.uk