Small Pub by the canal, 5 casks and 6 taps. Friedly staff, few locals. They contract brew one bitter of their own "Jolly Good Bodge".

This is a very pleasant pub, but not one you would find by accident. It is more of a backwater pub than a backstreet one, as you’d find it easier to park your boat than your car - it is situated on the tow path of the River Kennet in the middle of the gas works, close to the point where the Kennet flos into the Thames.

Recently refurbished after an impending closure, it retains much of the original atmosphere, but rather diluted by new paint and varnish. The real ale choice is limited to four pumps, usually Harveys Sussex Best, Loddon Ferrymans Gold, Deuchars IPA and a guest. Convenient for me as it’s the closest pub to my office, but unfortunately overlooked by everybody else, so may not stay open for long.

Update: April 2010 Open again, with an improved range of local real ales including Two Bridges, Ascot and Loddon , together with two unique to the pub - "Jolly Angry" brewed by Loddon, and "Jolly Good Bodge" that they’ve brewed themselves at one of the local brewers (when I find out which it is I’ll list it!). Please make a detour and call in - otherwise it will end up closed for good.

19/01/2008 This formerly fun locals pub is NOW CLOSED. Another victim of the credit crunch, I’m afraid.