Set in the village of Barkham, Ye Olde Leathern Bottel is just a few minutes drive from the pleasant town of Wokingham, yet it feels like a true rural escape. The 17th-century red-brick building, with its stout chimneys and flagstone floors, has offered warm hospitality to weary travellers for hundreds of years. Today, it is a welcoming haven where locals, families and couples can enjoy hearty pub fare and real ales. Its location in the leafy, laid-back village of Barkham puts Ye Olde Leathern Bottel in the heart of the Berkshire countryside but just a stone’s throw from cities such as Reading and Windsor. Country parks, nature reserves, museums and charming historic architecture are all on the doorstep. At first glance the little village of Barkham may appear small and unassuming, with its quiet leafy streets, community feel and acres of woods. Yet the village has ancient royal connections and once supplied the timber to build the roof of Westminster Abbey. Indeed, the name Barkham originates from ‘birch home’ referring to the birch trees on the edge of Windsor Forest. The village’s manor house is legendary, and during the reign of King Edward III, proceeds from the manor went towards the rebuilding of the great Windsor Castle. The current house dates back to the 18th century and is certainly worth seeing on a stroll after lunch. On the topic of lunch, Ye Olde Leathern Bottel is a traditional rural hideaway within easy driving distance of several nearby towns. Its food is quintessentially English and typical pub favourites grace the menu, some of which are served with a cheeky twist. Plush sofas beg to be relaxed in, while the pretty garden is perfect for a sunset glass of wine.