SUPPORTING PUBS After the first Maidenhead Ale trail was a huge success Slough, Windsor & Maidenhead branch of CAMRA is expanding the trail. We hope to have a fine selection of 12 real ale pubs within walking distance of the town centre, or a short bus ride away. Visit them all at your own pace and enjoy the experience of visiting new venues and sampling some fine ales.

Pubs are one of the few remaining places we can meet people in a relaxed social environment outside the home. With community centres closing across the country, pubs offer a vital hub for locals to get together as a community. Pubs are also tackling loneliness by providing a space to meet and chat. As a long-time resident of Maidenhead, I am keen to promote some of the fine real ale pubs in my hometown. Last year, I invited eight pubs to take part. This year, I am hoping to include a further four pubs, provided they continue to meet the MAT criteria, including serving two or more real ales in good condition. This year’s Maidenhead Ale Trail should include the following pubs, stretching from Taplow to Cox Green:

1. Hall & Woodhouse Taplow, Mill Lane, SL6 0AA. No.15 Carousel Bus.

2. The Lord Grenfell, 22 Oldfield Road, SL6 1TW.

3. The Bear, 8-10 High Street, SL6 1QJ.

4. The Maiden's Head, 34 High Street, SL6 1QE.

5. The Hand & Flowers, 15 Queen Street, SL6 1NB (TBC).

6. A Hoppy Place, Unit C, Trinity Place, Park Street, SL6 1TJ.

7. Maidenhead Conservative Social Club, 32 York Street, SL6 1SF.

8. Off the Tap, 105 High Street, SL6 1EA.

9. The Craufurd Arms, 15 Gringer Hill, SL6 7LY.

10. The North Star, 91 Westborough Road, SL6 4AP (TBC). No. 3 Carousel Bus.

11. The Barley Mow, Cox Green Lane, SL6 3EW (TBC). No. 7 Thames Valley Bus.

12. The Thatched Cottage, Cannon Lane, SL6 3PE (TBC). No. 3 Carousel Bus.

PARTICIPATING IN THE TRAIL. Taking part is easy and fun! Just follow the 2026 Ale Trail Map , or pick up a pamphlet in any participating pub, and it will be distributed to pubs in the Slough, Windsor and Maidenhead area with Issue 3 of Pubs & Pints. Then visit each pub in turn and with your 1st pint or half-pint of real ale, you'll receive a sticker which you can place over the corresponding pub description. Once you've completed the trail, hand your pamphlet with your contact details at either the Craufurd Arms or Maiden's Head.

ALE TRAIL DATES. The launch party will take place at the Craufurd Arms on Sunday 4th October (1pm-4pm) and the closing party will be on the 15th November 2026 (1pm-4pm) where souvenir badges will be available to collect.

In 2025, the feedback we received from the participating pubs and approx. 50 ale trailers last year was extremely encouraging, and it seemed that everyone enjoyed the event. It was wonderful to find out that people had travelled from as far afield as Cardiff and Croydon to take part. Entrants included CAMRA branch members from Reading, Aylesbury and Bracknell.

Our 2025 promotional Poster. ..........The 2025 Closing party at the Maiden's Head.

........................................................................................ (Photo courtsy of Harry Mowe)