The Hind's Head
Recommended by
Our view
"Old-English fare with a modern twist"
Overview
Heston Blumenthal’s establishment in Bray has become, not surprisingly, a gastronomic destination, yet the striking 15th-century building remains very much a village local. Its origins as a pub are a little obscure, but the bar’s atmosphere, created by beams and sturdy oak panelling, log fires, leather chairs, and Windsor & Eton seasonal ales, is reassuringly traditional. The main restaurant is on the ground floor, while upstairs are two further dining areas: the Vicar’s Room and the larger Royal Room. Having worked alongside the team in the Tudor kitchens at Hampton Court Palace, Heston elaborates on original British cuisine, reintroducing classic recipes from the pub’s Tudor roots. Hash of snails; and terrine of pork and Cumbrian ham are indicative starters. Gutsy main courses vary from bone-in sirloin of veal or oxtail and kidney pudding to smoked pollock, cured salmon and prawn fish pie with ‘sea and sand’. For seekers of plainer fare there are 28-day aged Hereford prime steaks. Quaking pudding, inspired by a 17th-century sweet jelly recipe, is an ever-popular dessert favourite. There’s also a menu of favourite dishes from a quarter of a century of The Fat Duck, for example butternut squash bavarois with melon, chocolate and goats’ cheese ice cream.
Ratings & awards
AA Pick of the Pubs
Also at this location
Restaurant
The Hinds Head
3 Rosette Award for Culinary Excellence
AA Notable Wine List
- Children welcome
- Private dining
- Vegetarian menu
- Wheelchair access
About the area
Berkshire consists of two distinct parts: the western half, which is predominantly rural, with the Lambourn Downs spilling down to the River Lambourn and the Berkshire Downs to the majestic Thames, and the eastern half of Berkshire, which offers plenty of opportunity to get out and savour open spaces. Reading and Newbury are the county’s major towns, and the River Kennet flows through them both.
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