The Elephant Hotel is situated in the charming village of Pangbourne, beside the River Thames. Minutes from the M4, it is convenient for Reading, Newbury and Oxford.
The hotel's restaurant has won an AA Rosette for its fine food, and BaBar offers bistro dining and a range of drinks. Food is made from local ingredients, and al fresco dining is available in the enclosed garden.
Rooms at The Elephant feature beautiful, hand-crafted Indian furniture, rich rugs and delicate fabrics. Each also has a flat-screen TV with over 50 channels, and a DVD player.
Guests can make use of free public parking on site, and free Wi-Fi throughout the building.
Pangbourne Rail Station is just a few minutes' walk away. Guests can take a leisurely stroll through village, and enjoy picturesque views of the river and wooded Chiltern Hills.
Surrounding Area
If you can drag yourself away from boozy croquet games, a long lunch in the dining room or a local ale in BaBar, then the surrounding area has plenty to offer. Pangbourne itself rests on the banks of the River Thames, and Pangbourne Meadow offers a great walk next to the river with stunning views of the wooded Chiltern Hills, great for a picnic (the hotel can organise it for you).
If you are in need of some serious retail therapy, Reading is only 4 miles from the hotel, and with the train station within easy walking distance there is no need to worry about city centre driving. The Thames Valley is awash with places to see and things to do, and London is only 40 minutes by train.
Transport
By Car
Put the postcode, RG8 7AR, into your satellite navigation and follow the instructions.
- Exit the M4 at junction 12 and at the roundabout take the exit signposted Theale and Pangbourne.
- Go straight over the next roundabout, and at the next roundabout take the third exit signposted Pangbourne.
- Continue down this road for about 4 miles until you reach Pangbourne.
- At the roundabout, the hotel is situated directly on your left.
Restaurants
The Elephant at Pangbourne has 2 dining areas. 'BaBar' has a bistro feel, serving excellent local produce in a simple and classic manner. The well-conditioned ales come from local breweries. The restaurant offers an elegant alternative. Choose from dining al fresco in the enclosed garden whilst you mull over the winners and losers of your croquet match or get dressed up and sip a 'Singapore sling' in the intimate cocktail lounge. Fine dining is at the heart of the Elephant experience.
The team of talented chefs, headed by Neil Dowson (formerly of the Savoy and the Vineyard at Stockcross) offers simple and beautifully cooked British and local food at a reasonable price. They would like to be known for that alone. Fresh and seasonal British ingredients are sourced from local suppliers, all of whom are located within 50 miles of the hotel. Using local suppliers is at the heart of the hotel's ethos. Neil combines all ingredients to create an original and sumptuous menu, with dishes to suit every palate.
The wine list had a well-balanced global selection and offers a distinguished list of sherries, ports, brandies, malt whiskies and eaux de vie, along with more classic aperitifs and other digestifs.
