Can anybody recommend a pub in the area for a Sunday lunch? All the Gumbo family are getting together next wekeend and I thought it would be better to go out somewhere rather than poor Granny Gumbo having to cook for everybody.

How many? The KC has a good reputation, but can be a little cramped sometimes.

Yeah I like the KC but there will be 10 of us so probably a bit cramped. I have been to the Whtie Hart in Hamstead Norreys a few times recently and would throughly recommend that but fancied a change and somewhere a little closer to home..........say within a 5 mile radius of Newbury.

If you're willing to travel a bit, there are 2 on the Good Pub guide that have received food awards...

Pot Kiln in Frilsham which is 5.7 miles from the centre of town and the Plume of Feathers in Hungerford which is 8.1 miles

Pot Kiln

The Plume of Feathers

The castle Pub in Donnington

Sun in the Wood is good.

Toby Carvery

Sun in the Wood is very good, so is the KC.

I presume the Toby Cavery comment is a joke?

The Star at Kingsclere.

The Red House, Hampstead Marshall.

The Swan, Station Road, Thatcham

The swan might be ok if you don't mind rudeness and there are a lot of old people going, you can expect overcooked mushy veg and watery gravy, but it's quite cheap. I would agree that The Star, and The Sun in the Wood are very good. The Castle at Donnington is nice but has very inattentive and slow (albeit nice and friendly) service, they do use nice cuts of meat and fresh veg though.

I saw the KC and for some reason thought Iommi was recommending the Kentucky Fried Chicken....

I'd avoid The Swan in Thatcham unless you want run-of-the-mill stuff. I'd also avoid The Pot Kiln unless you have very deep pockets and this is a special event...

The Six Bells at Beenham is very nice, as is the Coach and Horses on the A4 by the Brimpton turn off. But The Sun In The Wood will do as well. Good food in all three, without breaking the bank.

Never had a problem in the Swan but never mind.

If you want to push to boat out The Crab at Chieveley is the best place I have ever eaten. The service was second to none, however it was a couple of years ago so I cannot say what it is like now.

The Swan isn't bad, but it has periods when the food's been good and other periods when the food is not something you'd go out of your way for... We're in one of those periods just now (new chef I think or new menu not up to much) It's my local, so I'm not giving it grief, it's just that I'd suggest it's a place for a beer rather than a family meal just now....

As for The Crab...! Boy...! Great food but I must admit.. I've had better ....But I don't think I've EVER had to pay so much on the final bill!! And they were very snooty about me taking my kids in there (and they were 14 and 16 at the time so knew how to hold cutlery... )

The Swan at Great Shefford, serves superb food all afternoon so you can choose your time, need to book though as gets very busy.

The spotted dog at cold ash, the food is good.
The swan on the A4 ajacent to B&Q

Good God!! You're either joking or have had your taste buds surgically removed!

I wasn't joking about the Toby Carvery comment.

but I think Thatcham resident must have been joking about The Swan near b&q!!!!

I also had a fabulous meal at the Red House Marsh Benham

Sun in the Wood or The Blue Boar, sorry, The Crab for me.

I'm surprised no-one has mentioned the White Horse at Hermitage. Excellent food and friendly owner/staff.

Though a little awkward to get to from Newbury at the moment with the B4009 closed.