CAMRA - Campaign for Real Ale logo
Pubs & Clubs
Beers & Breweries
Pubs & Clubs
Beers & Breweries
CAMRA - Campaign for Real Ale logo
Join Us
(Pub, Key). Published on 23-06-2021
Image: (Pub, Key). Published on 23-06-2021
Front Room. by Geoff Brandwood. Published on
Image: Front Room. by Geoff Brandwood. Published on
Exterior. by Michael Slaughter. Published on
Image: Exterior. by Michael Slaughter. Published on
Rear Room. by Geoff Brandwood. Published on
Image: Rear Room. by Geoff Brandwood. Published on
Heritage Pub

Retreat, Reading

Directions
You want to visit - You have this in
Operator: Independent
8 St John's Street, Reading, RG1 4EH (View on Google Map)
(0118) 957 2130
Website
X (Twitter)
Facebook

A well-loved backstreet boozer, refurbished 2020/21. A good range of real ales are squeezed onto the small bar. The pub tends to concentrate on well-known regional brands, however there is a good range of more eclectic choices available in bottled form, including continental beers, as well as a number of ciders. Locally renowned for regular live music and hosting local events such as the fiercely-fought pickled onion competition.

Information for this venue is provided by the Reading & Mid-Berks Branch of CAMRA
Previous Names
Local Authority
Reading (B)
Last updated
21/03/2025
Last surveyed
31/12/2024
Leasehold owner
Admiral Taverns
Freehold owner
Admiral Taverns
Pub ID
REA/READIN0730
Asset of Community Value

One star - A pub interior of special national historic interest

Listed status: Not listed

Small Victorian terraced pub with two rooms. The public bar at the front is an amalgamation of the former off-sales and bar, hence the second, but disused front door on the right. This small room retains its original counter, mirrored back fitting and dado panelling with a bench beneath the front window and a baffle by the entrance. An opening leads to the lounge at the rear which would once have been two small rooms. Its fittings are all modern. The former outside gents' has been incorporated within the main pub to the rear of the lounge. All the woodwork received a coat of light green pastel paint about 2015.

General information about historic pub interiors

This small Victorian terraced pub has two rooms. The public bar at the front is an amalgamation of the former off-sales and bar, hence the second, but disused front door on the right. This small room still retains its original counter, mirrored back fitting and dado panelling with a bench beneath the front window and a baffle by the entrance. An opening leads to the lounge at the rear which would have been two small rooms at some stage in the past. Its fittings are all modern. The former outside gents' has been incorporated within the main pub to the rear of the lounge. All the woodwork received a coat of light green pastel paint about 2015.

General information about historic pub interiors
Premium Access Required

You must be a Digital Subscriber or CAMRA Member to be able to view specially curated GBG descriptions

Premium Access Required
Opening Times Unavailable

Current beers

This Pub serves 3 changing beers and 2 regular beers.

Regular and recently seen
Dark Star - Hophead
Dark Star - Hophead

Session Golden Ale

ABV: 3.4%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No

This beer is served regularly. Spotted twice

Sussex Best Bitter - Harvey's
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter

Session Bitter

ABV: 4%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No

This beer is served regularly. Spotted 13 times recently. Last spotted 4 days ago

Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter

Session Bitter

ABV: 4%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No

Spotted twice recently. Last spotted 4 days ago

XT - Ten
XT - Ten

Session Stout

ABV: 4.4%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No

Spotted once recently. Last spotted 1 week ago

XT - Ten
XT - Ten

Session Stout

ABV: 4.4%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No

Spotted once recently. Last spotted 1 week ago

Changing

From Admiral list

Changing beers typically include: Butcombe (varies) , Sharp's (varies)

Your scores

Join CAMRA to access beer scoring and view scores for other pubs. Become a member.
Retrieving scores
You have no beer scores submitted.
Facilities
Sports TV Sports TV
TNT only - live music takes precedence
Lunchtime Meals Lunchtime Meals
you can bring your own food
Evening Meals Evening Meals
you can bring your own food
Live Music Live Music
Jazz (usually) on last Sunday of month. See web site for other events.
Family Friendly Family Friendly
Disabled Access Disabled Access
Disabled access to pub & new toilet
Events Events
quiz night is held every 2nd Wednesday of the month. Annual Pickled Onion competition!
Function Room Function Room
Back bar can be booked
Games Games
dominos, cards
Newspapers Newspapers
Separate Bar Separate Bar
Smoking Smoking
Features
Real Ale Real Ale
Real Heritage Pub Real Heritage Pub
LocAle LocAle
Loddon Ferryman's Gold is often available
Beer Festival Beer Festival
Over the Easter weekend, including live music
Quiet Quiet
Transport
Close to bus routes
Reading Buses: 17, 4, 13, 14
Closest station (1100m)
Reading

Help keep our information accurate!

Notice an error or missing details? Help us keep our pub & club information accurate by sharing any corrections or updates you spot.

Suggest an edit

Nearby

View All
(Pub, Key). Published on 26-06-2023
Open
Lyndhurst
Pub, in Reading
2 Regular, 1 Changing Beers
0.1 miles from you
Published on 26-05-2017
Open
Thirsty Bear
Pub, in Reading
REAL ALE not available
0.2 miles from you
Front of building. (External, Key). Published on 09-03-2017
Open • Closes in 57 minutes
Dairy
Pub, in Reading
Beer
0.2 miles from you
(Pub, Key). Published on 29-10-2022
Open
Back of Beyond
Wetherspoon Pub, in Reading
4 Regular, 4 Changing Beers
0.2 miles from you
  • CAMRA voucher scheme
(Pub, Key). Published on 31-10-2014
Open
Outlook
Pub, in Reading
1 Regular Beer
0.2 miles from you
  • CAMRA discount scheme
(Pub, Key). Published on 06-10-2014
Open • Closes in 27 minutes
Piwnica
Pub, in Reading
REAL ALE not available
0.2 miles from you
(Pub, Key). Published on 05-02-2022
Open
Fisherman's Cottage
Independent Pub, in Reading
1 Regular Beer
0.3 miles from you
(Pub, Key). Published on 19-01-2022
Open
Turks Head
Pub, in Reading
1 Regular Beer
0.3 miles from you
(Pub, Key). Published on 26-06-2023
Open
Hotel 1843 x Calico Bar & Eatery
Pub, in Reading
REAL ALE not available
0.3 miles from you
(Pub, Key). Published on 05-02-2022
Open
Salisbury Club
Salisbury Conservative Club Club, in Reading
1 Regular Beer
0.4 miles from you

Need accommodation?

 

 

Recently Viewed

Published on 06-05-2021
Open
Anchor
Pub, in Burnham-on-Crouch
1 Regular, 1 Changing Beers
(Pub). Published on 11-02-2013
Cherry Tree
Pub, in Wicklewood
4 Changing Beers
Closed Long Term
(External, Key). Published on 06-08-2016
Open • Closes in 27 minutes
Lion
Star (Heineken UK) Pub, in Daventry
2 Regular, 1 Changing Beers
Ducie Arms. (Pub, External). Published on 01-01-2013
Open
Ducie Arms
Pub, in Greenheys
1 Regular, 1 Changing Beers
Published on 09-05-2015
Open
Twisted Shamrocks
Pub, in Tenby
REAL ALE not available
Pub Walk Shoes Icon

Love Cask Beer?

Join CAMRA to support the campaign to access more features plus access to a range of different benefits.

Become a member
© Campaign for Real Ale 2023 - 2025 (ce-11)
Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube
Home

Privacy Overview

We use cookies, which are small text files, to improve your experience on our website and to show you personalised content. You can allow all or manage them individually.

Necessary

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-Necessary

These cookies help us to improve your web experience. They allow us to gather feedback on your behaviour and to show adverts relevant to you. You can turn this off here.

Cookies

We use cookies, which are small text files, to improve your experience on our website and to show you personalised content. You can allow all or manage them individually.