The Bull, Theale, Reading, Berkshire - Pubs and Inns on Waymarking.com

Theale owes much of its past and present prosperity to its good road communications links. In the pre-railway era, the village was an important staging post on the old Bath Road, as witnessed by the number of old pubs to be found on its High Street, and the former brewery that served them. One local legend claims that Theale got its name, "The Ale" from when it was the first staging post out of London along the Bath Road. Another claims that the village once held the record for having the most Public Houses in the smallest area - and indeed at one time the village was home to at least nine (The Bull (formerly The Wheel of Fortune), The Falcon, The Angel (now gone, once on the site of the old United Reform Church chapel, now itself replaced by flats), The Crown, The Red Lion, The Lamb, The Volunteer, The Railway Arms (now gone, once opposite the station car park) and The Thatcher's Arms). Most likely neither story is true. The name possibly derives from an original meaning of "crossing over water".

The Bull dates from at least the 17th century. In 1782 its landlord reported "stolen from a garden tank 60lbs of eels". He offered a five guineas reward for helpful information. The local magistrates held their monthly petty sessions here until the 19th century judicial reforms, followed by the United Court of The Ancient Order of Foresters (a welfare society) from 1861 to 1968.

Walk behind The Bull and observe the Cooper's House and remodelled brewery buildings all serving as offices. Parallel to the road is Brewery House circa 1820. The Draper famly began a maltings here in the early 18th century to supply malt for home brewing. About 1820 they integrated malting with br ewing. In 1954 Jasper and Hugh Draper sold the business to Frank and William Blatch, in whose family it remained until 1965.

Real Ale: yes Bar Food Available: yes Restaurant: no Children Allowed: All areas Dogs Allowed: yes Garden: no CAMRA Listed: no Accommodation: no Beer brewed on site: no Website: [Web Link] General comments: Not listed

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Date Logged Log User Rating   06/13/2020 Malpas Wanderer visited it 12/12/2010 Mogwai Liz visited it

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