By Dinghy to “The Bull Inn” at Sonning, and more

I’d been wanting to try The Bull Inn at Sonning ever since I read Jerome K. Jerome’s description in his comic masterpiece Three Men in A BoatNot to mention the dog (1889): “If you stay at Sonning,” he advised, “put up at ‘The Bull’.”

Built in the 16th century, it is still owned by the neighbouring St Andrew’s Church (which rents it to Fullers).

IMG_4642
The Bull Inn at Sonning

St Andrew's, Sonning, owns The Bull Inn
St Andrew’s, next door, owns The Bull Inn

Sonning, by the way, has long been famous for boasting the picturesque perfection of the quintessential English village, and currently for being the home of illustrious personages such as Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Paige, UK Prime Minister Theresa May, and George Clooney and his wife, Amal, who bought Mill House at Sonning Eye just a couple of years ago.

The green courtyard described in Three Men in a Boat is now a car park – one that we didn’t have to use, having puttered the 25 minutes downstream from Thames & Kennet Marina on our cute new dinghy. Our mooring spot, just before Sonning lock, featured a handy tree trunk for looping ropes around.

My personal cabbie to and from the pub
No need for taxis to and from the pub

We’d both fancied the Cornish Orchard Trout Salad (£14.50), which came with still-warm, minted new potatoes. Don’t be too impressed by our healthy choice; immediately afterwards, we indulged in a post-prandial cake-fest at Sonning Lock Tea Rooms: fat slices of Victorian sponge washed down with a pot of Earl Grey in a sunny alfresco area with self-service.

IMG_4638

Also try

* Another worthwhile Sonning eatery is the Coppa Club at The Great House (mentioned in my 15 July post)

* I’m still keen on trying the fabulous-looking French Horn, and we would have gone there earlier this week with Roy’s cousin Anthony and his wife Jeannette, if she hadn’t done one too many business lunches there in the past

* Instead, after sunset drinks on board Karanja, we went to Bel & The Dragon, located in an old biscuit factory at nearby Blake’s Lock, just up the Kennet & Avon canal – lovely décor and ambience, enthusiastic service and good food. Thanks for doing the driving, Jeannette!

IMG_4679
Roy, Jeannette and cousin Tony
IMG_1349
Bel & The Dragon, located at Blake’s Lock in an old biscuit factory

 

It's only fair to share...Share on email
Email
Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on google
Google
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on linkedin
Linkedin

Verne Maree

Born and raised in Durban, South African Verne is a writer and editor. She and Roy met in Durban in 1992, got married four years later, and moved briefly to London in 2000 and then to Singapore a year later. After their 15 or 16 years on that amazing island, Roy retired in May 2016 from a long career in shipping. Now, instead of settling down and waiting to get old in just one place, we've devised a plan that includes exploring the waterways of France on our new boat, Karanja. And as Verne doesn't do winter, we'll spend the rest of the time between Singapore, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand - and whatever other interesting places beckon. Those round-the-world air-tickets look to be incredible value...

What do you say?

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.