Royal Standard, Wooburn Common

Another trip to Beaconsfield saw us turn up in Wooburn Common, to visit the Royal Standard. Although similar in name, it was very different to the Royal Standard of England we visited three days earlier to play Slough Town.

Clearly a popular rural pub with a congenial ambiance in the bar, catering for diners and discerning drinkers alike. Even a Slough Town fan to compare notes with following our defeat

Ten real ales, five direct from the cask, alongside many real ciders, make this venue an important flagship pub in the area. There is always at least one dark beer in offer, either a stout, porter or dark mild. A couple of pints of Titanic went down a treat!

Two beer festivals, one on May day weekend, the other on the last weekend in October. Monthly quiz night on 2nd Monday.

Rating 4/5

Royal Standard of England, Forty Green

With two trips to Beaconsfield in three days to take on Slough Town and then Beaconsfield SYCOB, we needed two decent pubs for the two trips. We did not expect them to have the same name!

This historic hostelry with its fascinating pedigree is well worth a detour. A barrel shaped wooden partition wall/notice board leads to rooms containing log fires or cast iron stoves. Architecture and furniture is mixed rustic with hops adorning bar areas.

The food is of exemplary standard with amazing home made ice cream. They also have some great bottled beers being sourced from craft breweries. Orchard Pig Farm Pressed Cider is also available. This area is a walkers' paradise.

Rating 4/5

Duke of Cambridge, Marlow

Being a republican, I had reservations Duke of Cambridge on our trip to Marlow, especially following the recent birth of another royal mouth to feed, but it turned out to be one of the pubs of the season.

A short stroll from the central high street. A community pub patronised by a colourful clientele, hosting both crib and darts league teams. Two Rebellion brews are supplemented by a guest ale, often a stout or a porter.

Sunday roast lunches and Wednesday fish and chip suppers are popular regular weekly attractions. Rendezvous for the "Hashers" joggers at 10am every Sunday.

Rating 4/5

Carpenters Arms, Harlington

It was third time lucky tonight, as the league had threatened to switch the fixture to Creasey Park after two postponements on Barton's dodgy waterlogged pitch. With it being an evening match and us leaving it to the last minute to leave, as we expected another text to say "MATCH POSTPONED", we did not have long in the Carpenters Arms.

Situated in the heart of Harlington, this low beamed watch your head traditional village pub was first licensed in 1790 and has listings of landlords from then until the present. The current landlord is a local who has always lived in the village.

Two regular beers and two changing guests are available. Food is reasonably priced with good helpings. The railway station and occasional bus service along with a range of country walks make this a popular stop-off.

Rating 3/5