Hanging out in Gallowstree. This very month The Reformation Public House in Gallowstree Common celebrates its 107th Anniversary with Brakspears. In November 1896 Brakspear (who by now had a portfolio of about 150 pubs) acquired this particular public house from The “Greys Brewery” down in Friday Street, Henley (interestingly, the property was said to have been valued then at £550.00) The name and sign, have a somewhat obscure origination, but the pub-sign shows one of the Kings ships dating back to the 1800’s; a large Royal Navy sailing vessel called the Reformation. The village of GallowsTree also has an interesting history, and was known by the landmark “gallow-tree” on a hillock (that sits about a mile away from this pub), it was said to have been used to hang prisoners from Reading Gaol, and bodies left there to dangle for many days.Since February this year, the pub has been helmed by Sharon & Lindsey, who are now fully fledged members of this community and host celebrations and judge the many eccentric and convivial rivalry competitions. This Saturday they hosted the annual log splitting match, where the proceeds are donated to both help the aged and cancer charities.
Our visit happily coincided with the monthly Folk Music Evening, and the car park looked pretty busy. The pub itself was vibrant yet retained its usual laid back flavour. Sharon welcomed us warmly and pointed out the menus that are chalked up on two black boards by the bar. We took advantage of some chilled white wine as we selected supper. The Reformation has two main bar areas, both winter-warm and cosy, the second of which is where the music was being played, people were seated everywhere, comfortable in jeans and cosy jumpers; a lazy night at the local. Here you can pop in to grab a beer; catch up on local pub atmosphere, or like us arrive for supper and happenstance upon some fantastic live music. The menu is varied and wholesome, with choices for starters (priced between £4.50 and £5.25) such as bacon, avocado & chicken salad with balsamic vinegar or Thai crab cakes with sweet chilli dip. Equally tempting are the main courses (priced between £5.95 to £10.95) and range from hearty chilli con carne, chicken fajitas, and Ribeye Steak. Vegetarians will also find at least a couple of appealing choices from each section. If you just fancy a nibble, there is also a “lighter bites selection” board (priced between £4.50 and £6.95) which also has great choices like potato skins with melted cheese & bacon, baked potatoes with various toppings or a traditional ploughman’s.
For our starters I chose the Jalapeño Peppers, stuffed with cream cheese, which was a pretty colourful dish with red and yellow peppers and rocket lettuce, I enjoyed the surprisingly piquant flavour of aged balsamic vinegar. My partner opted for the crumbled whitebait, which were served with salad garnish and tartare sauce. He announced them as very flavoursome. For our main course, I decided quickly on the penne pasta with a gorgeously creamy mushroom and cheese sauce and served with luscious latticed garlic bread. I could taste the heavenly double cream of the sauce,
yet the mushrooms were able to hold their own amongst the other flavours. My partner chose the fresh cod fillet, which was lightly battered and served with chips and peas. The main courses were so large our eyes almost popped out of our heads. These dished really would fulfil the hungriest diner. Although I really couldn’t eat another thing, that didn’t stop me eyeing the dessert menu greedily, and I felt I could be in heaven between the choc-puddle pudding, sticky toffee pudding and very seasonal apple and blackberry crumble, all served with a choice of ice cream, custard or cream (priced at £3.50 each).
We really enjoyed our visit to The Reformation Pub; the landladies are warm and out going and seem to genuinely enjoy this pub and its village. With several combined years of bar and restaurant experience, Sharon and Lindsey really know how to make you feel welcome. This is a friendly local pub, with a varied menu and lashings of food. Back in its history, GallowsTree Common wasn’t a favourite spot for those unfortunate Reading Jail prisoners but I for one would recommend a bit more time hanging about at the Reformation Pub.
