Hailed as ‘the most fairylike little nook’ by Jerome K Jerome in his travelogue Three Men in a Boat, Sonning has apparently changed little in the last century. Tucked behind the church whose
pilgrims it once hosted, the 16th-century Bull is equally well preserved. Arranged around a bench-filled courtyard, the timber-framed, whitewashed building peeks from beneath climbing foliage,
while the interior is all crooked ceilings and floors, winding corridors and alcoves crammed with solid wooden dining tables. A good selection of Fuller’s ales arrives from Chiswick, and there’s a
compact wine list to back them up. Food focuses on variety rather than high gastronomy, so expect ample pub classics alongside more creative options such as jerk-spiced ham with mustard crème
fraîche or pork fillet with Roquefort and apple mash. The Bull’s bedrooms are regularly taken by corporate types working in nearby business parks.