Free
Children allowed

Facilities

WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Free Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Restaurant
Terrace
Garden
Pets allowed
Bar
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Excellent breakfasts and strong food offering
Friendly, welcoming staff
Historic, charming central village location
Clean and characterful rooms (where spacious)
Cons:
Rooms often small/cramped with compact bathrooms
No air conditioning; rooms can be very hot in warm weather
Limited parking availability
Steep stairs and low ceilings may be unsuitable for some guests

Categories

Cleanliness
9.1
Multiple reviews note rooms as 'spotless' and 'comfortable clean', indicating a high standard of cleanliness throughout the property.
Service
9.5
Staff repeatedly described as welcoming, friendly and helpful; one comment suggests minor inconsistency between younger and older staff but overall service is a strong positive.
Location
9.5
Frequent praise for the historic, central village location and scenic surroundings; described as 'stunning' and ideal for local walks.
Room Quality
7.5
Multiple mentions of very small/cramped rooms, low ceilings and compact bathrooms; some rooms praised as individual and well equipped but room size and layout are consistent negatives.
Amenities
7.6
Limited amenities noted: no air conditioning (fans provided), no phone at reception, and restricted parking; these constraints impact guest comfort in some stays.
Value for Money
8.1
Mixed comments: some guests call breakfast excellent value while at least one guest found the price high for the room quality; overall value perceived as slightly above average.
Food and Beverage
9
Food is repeatedly praised—breakfasts and dinners described as very good/superb/fabulous—though a few isolated comments mention overcooked items or a single inedible cooked option.
Overall Experience
9.3
Many guests describe the stay as memorable, recommend the property, and would stay again; overall atmosphere, character and hospitality create a strongly positive experience despite some room/amenity issues.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-08-13 17:14

Property Description

Historic Charm: Originally a 16th-century coaching inn, The Bull in Sonning on Thames offers a unique blend of history and modern comfort. The stylish bedrooms seamlessly combine high-end furnishings with original features, providing a charming and cozy atmosphere for guests.

Culinary Delights: Indulge in the exceptional cuisine, fine wines, and Fuller's real ales that have earned The Bull its stellar reputation. From hearty breakfasts to gourmet dinners, the dining experience here is sure to delight your taste buds and leave you craving for more.

Convenient Location: Situated just a short 5-minute drive from Reading and within easy reach of Henley Royal Regatta Headquarters and Henley-on-Thames, The Bull offers the perfect base for exploring the picturesque surroundings. Book your stay now and immerse yourself in the rich history and warm hospitality of The Bull.

Important information:

A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM

Location

Guest Reviews

8.7
Based on 850 reviews
Cleanliness: 9.1
Service: 9.5
Location: 9.5
Room Quality: 7.5
Amenities: 7.6
Value for Money: 8.1
Food and Beverage: 9
Overall Experience: 9.3
N
neil • extended_group • gb
10
Great spot for an overnight stay
Pros:

Friendly staff great food

Cons:

Nothing

2026-08-12 • via Nuitee
J
Jane • couple • gb
8
2026-08-11 • via Nuitee
T
Traute • couple • de
10
Sehr zu empfehlen - wir würden es wieder buchen.
Pros:

Sehr freundliches Personal, wunderschönes mittelalterliches Gebäude, ruhig gelegen, Dinner und Frühstück ausgezeichnet.

Cons:

Wir fanden es schade, dass die ohnehin naturgemäß kleinen Fenster nur einen Spalt geöffnet werden können.

2026-08-11 • via Nuitee
C
Caroline • solo_traveller • gb
8
Pros:

Location, breakfast using local produce and a lovely variety Very helpful and happy staff

Cons:

Pastries at breakfast were not replenished Welcoming to breakfast and a smile would have been nice by the one member of staff dealing with breakfast

2026-08-10 • via Nuitee
G
Gustavo F. • couple • mx
9
2026-08-09 • via Nuitee
E
Elizabeth • couple • au
9
Pros:

Breakfasts and dinners very good

Cons:

Room 3 was very small and cramped unfortunately.

2026-08-08 • via Nuitee
N
Nick • couple • gb
10
2026-08-08 • via Nuitee
H
Helen • solo_traveller • gb
10
Pros:

Lovely characterful pub. Plenty of choice on breakfast menu. Very comfortable bedroom

Cons:

Nothing

2026-08-07 • via Nuitee
S
Sue • couple • gb
8
Comfortable hotel, a very old pub so the stairs could be a challenge. Parking is pot luck. Breakfast was for me disappoi
Pros:

Quiet location.

Cons:

Not everyone likes sourdough, no other bread alternatives.

2026-08-06 • via Nuitee
P
Philip • couple • gb
10
Pros:

We really enjoyed our stay at the Bull, the staff were very welcoming and friendly, our room was comfortable clean and very well equipped. The place has a wonderful atmosphere and the food was superb. We would definitely recommend the Bull and would stay there again it was a great find!

2026-08-04 • via Nuitee
M
Michael • solo_traveller • gb
9
Would stay again
Pros:

Quaint 600 year old Inn. Comfortable bed.

Cons:

Nothing

2026-07-22 • via Nuitee
R
Roger • couple • gb
8
Oozing history in Central village
Pros:

Breakfast wonderful a great selection of food
Historical Inn in village centre, oozing history. Efficient and friendly welcome.

Cons:

Accommodation though comfortable and cosy v much second to pub and restaurant. No call/phone facility to reception area

2026-07-20 • via Nuitee
M
Melina • couple • gb
10
2026-07-20 • via Nuitee
P
Philip • couple • gb
10
Altogether perfect stay
Pros:

Perfect. And brilliant breakfast as well

Cons:

Stairs!

2026-07-17 • via Nuitee
M
Michael • couple • gb
10
Arrived late but warm welcome
Pros:

Lovely old traditional building

Cons:

Nothing

2026-07-17 • via Nuitee
L
Lynne • couple • gb
10
Highly recommend this beautiful hotel
Pros:

Beautiful hotel - bedrooms are stunning - lovely outside area - fabulous breakfast

Cons:

Nothing it was all perfect

2026-07-15 • via Nuitee
G
Gerald • solo_traveller • dk
10
2026-07-12 • via Nuitee
P
Philip • couple • gb
7
Quality below par for £250 per night cost.
Pros:

Quaint and charming property, very nice evening meal.

Cons:

Room was stiflingly hot, despite being around 25 degrees outside. Room limited on space, just enough room to move around bed and not much else. Breakfast on first morning was considerably overcooked.

2026-07-05 • via Nuitee
K
Kirsty • couple • gb
7
Old inn with friendly staff
Pros:

Friendly staff and good location for our purpose. Unique character due to the age of the building.

Cons:

This is a very old pub with 7 rooms above. Be aware that due to the age of the building the ceilings are low and bathroom was very small. Not suitable if you have mobility issues due to steep stairs.

2026-07-03 • via Nuitee
M
Martin • couple • au
8
2026-07-02 • via Nuitee