Skip to content
Huddlepin

The Flowing Spring

Reading
Courtesy of The Flowing Spring

WHERE

Reading

What it’s like

A pub with a big garden, live music, sing-along nights and murder mystery evenings, and proper allergy-friendly food.

This is a proper pub first, with music and events wrapped round it. There's live music through the year, classic car and bike meets that pull in a crowd of their own, sing-along nights, and murder mystery evenings that ask for a bit more concentration than a Tuesday roast usually does. None of it is pitched at children specifically, so this reads more like a night out for the adults than a kids' outing, though the large garden is the sort of space you'd happily let a family spread out in on a nice afternoon, and there's a community book swap if you want something to read with your pint.

The food is the bit they've clearly put the most thought into. Around 80 percent of the menu is gluten-free, there are dairy-free, vegetarian and vegan options as standard, and every allergen is marked clearly on the menu rather than left for you to ask about. They picked up a Gold award for it in the FreeFrom Eating Out Awards back in 2018, and peanuts have been taken off the bar altogether. If anyone in your group has a genuine allergy rather than a preference, this is one of the more relaxed places to eat out.

Hours are a bit particular, so it pays to check before you plan around them. Closed Mondays, even on Bank Holidays, which catches people out. Tuesday to Friday you've got a lunch window from midday to 3pm and then an evening session from 6pm to 11pm, with Saturdays a shorter midday-to-4pm affair. There's no Sunday listed, so build your visit around the days it's actually open. One genuine faff: getting into the pub means an outside staircase, which is worth knowing if you've got a buggy, a wheelchair or dodgy knees.

Dogs are very welcome, which fits the general feel of the place, and if you fancy an overnight stop there's space for campervans and motorhomes, provided you book ahead and don't need Sunday or Monday nights.

What’s on here

Facilities

Accessible toilet
Allergy aware
Baby change
Dog friendly
Parking
Toilets
Vegetarian options
Wi-Fi

Need to know

Food
Home-made food including gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian and vegan options
Dogs
Very welcome
  • Closed Mondays, even Bank Holidays, so check the day before you set off
  • Entry is via an outside staircase, a faff with a buggy or wheelchair
  • Call ahead for Unplugged Nights, they get busy
  • Peanuts have been taken off the bar entirely for allergy safety

Plan your visit

Is this suitable for young children?

There's no children's menu or age guidance given, and the events, live music, murder mystery nights, sing-alongs, read as adult-led evenings. The garden is a pleasant space for a family in the daytime, but this leans towards a grown-up night out.

What days is it open?

Closed Mondays, even on Bank Holidays. Tuesday to Friday it's 12pm to 3pm and 6pm to 11pm, and Saturday just 12pm to 4pm.

Do you need to book a table?

Call ahead to book, and definitely do it for Unplugged Nights as they get busy.

Can we bring the dog?

Dogs are very welcome.

What's the food like for allergies?

About 80% of meals are gluten-free, with dairy-free, vegetarian and vegan options too, and every allergen is marked on the menu. They won a Gold award for it in the FreeFrom Eating Out Awards in 2018.

Can we stay overnight in a campervan?

Yes, but only if you book in advance, and not on Sunday or Monday nights.

Is there step-free access?

You get into the pub via an outside staircase, so it's not step-free.

See all Live Music & Gigs in Reading · Things to do in Reading

MAKE A DAY OF IT

While you’re there

Children's hands holding open books during a reading activity in an indoor venue.

The Mill at Sonning

0.8 mi

Bloom Baby Classes Reading North and Henley

Bloom Baby Classes Reading North and Henley

1.1 mi

MADEbyTamalia @ Creativ.Spaces

MADEbyTamalia @ Creativ.Spaces

1.8 mi · from £18.50