A SMALL Victorian pub in Reading has been added to a prestigious heritage guide published by Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).

Retreat, a small Victorian terraced pub with two rooms, has been included in the Real Heritage Pubs of the South East guide.

The guide, covering Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Kent, the Isle of Wight, Oxfordshire, Surrey and East and West Sussex, also includes the Queen's Head in Wokingham - a small terrace pub which started life as an early 15th century cruck-framed house.

The Bell Inn in Aldworth and the Bell in Waltham St Lawrence are also listed in Berkshire.

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In Reading, the pub sits on St John's Street and on its website says it is "the home of real ale, live music and jazz in Reading".

It is usually open Monday to Friday from 4.30pm until 11pm, Friday and Saturday from 12pm until 11.30pm and Sundays from 12pm to 10.30pm but has been closed during the pandemic.

Listings in the guide range from unspoilt country delights and old coaching inns to cosy Victorian locals and little-known pubs from the inter-war and post-war periods.

Editor and historic pubs expert Geoff Brandwood said: “As a period of great uncertainty for the nation’s pubs hopefully comes to a close, it’s a real delight to release the final instalment of the Real Heritage Pub guide series.

“This guide highlights the best-preserved pubs across the South East region, allowing you to experience pub history even if you’re unable to visit them in person right now.

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“It also champions the need to celebrate, understand and protect the genuine pub heritage we have left, and revenue raised from the title goes back into CAMRA campaigning.”

Every listing in the guide includes a pub description, highlighting its special features and the address, contact details and information about the availability of real ale, real cider and food.

Pubs are arranged by county, with maps showing their location and there are numerous feature articles about pub and brewing history in the area.