The Borough Arms – Hungerford

Hungerford is a historic town surrounded by the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is famous for its antique shops and waterways and offers a variety of walking and cycling trails. Whatever the reason for your visit, please do find time to call in at the Borough Arms, a friendly neighbourhood pub with a welcoming atmosphere, located towards the top end of the High Street. It is well served by public transport, being within easy walking distance from the railway station and bus stops.

The Borough Arms started life retailing beer in the early 1800s. The earliest record of this is in the Kelly Directory of 1847, when William Hobbs was recorded as proprietor. A framed photo, taken circa 1920, hangs in the front bar and shows that the pub was then owned by Simonds Brewery of Reading. In 1984 the pub was renamed ‘The Tuttiman’ but reverted to its current name in 1995. In more recent years the pub has been owned by Wadworth Brewery of Devizes. A more detailed history of the pub can be found on the Hungerford Virtual Museum website.

The current landlady, Sylvi Giuliani, is originally from South Africa but has made Hungerford her home since 2006. Previously working in Digital marketing and technology development, Sylvi had no experience of running a pub before she took over the Borough Arms in 2017.

When asked what she wanted to bring to this pub, she replied that she is passionate about creating a warm, welcoming, comfortable place for customers to spend their precious downtime. She is committed to serving good quality beer and is looking to attain Cask Marque accreditation. Four cask ales from Wadworth are available on handpump: 6X, Henry’s IPA, Horizon (Chilled) and a changing seasonal guest ale from the Wadworth portfolio. Additionally there is a range of keg beers and ciders, wines and spirits. Tea and coffee are also available.

The pub does not offer a daily food service but does cater for large booked events such as birthdays, retirement parties, staff parties or wedding receptions. The pub has a spacious interior, with comfortable seating, as well as a large outdoor area, so do give the pub a call if you wish to arrange a function here.

A major refurbishment was undertaken when Sylvi took on the pub in November 2017. The cellar, beer lines and taps were renewed. A new interior design and décor, including interesting artwork that adorns the pub walls has given it a facelift, whilst maintaining its traditional character.

Warmth during the colder months is provided by two wood burners. Sylvi tells me that although the refurbishment has been well received by her customers it did not go down too well with the pub’s resident friendly ghosts!

The large outdoor seating and drinking area at the rear consists of a patio that leads to an attractive sloping lawned garden. It is both

family and dog friendly and offers a welcoming atmosphere, making the Borough Arms a relaxing and pleasant place to spend your leisure time.

Facilities include free wifi and a number of screens for watching your favourite sports events from BT, Sky Sports

and terrestrial channels. Pool and darts are played in an area to the right of the pub as you enter through the front door. The Borough Arms has two pool league teams and a darts league team. Cards and dominoes are available and it is

planned to offer a variety of board games. The pub hosts regular quiz evenings, live music, open mic nights and karaoke. Details of upcoming events are given on the pub’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.

In January 2020, Sylvi took on the community-owned Tally Ho! pub in Hungerford Newtown, but says that she has no plans to give up the Borough as she loves the place and it’s ‘her baby’.

Situated at the top of the High Street, the Borough Arms is the first pub as you head down into the town from the south and the last as you walk up the street from the centre. Whichever way you’re headed, do take time to visit this friendly and highly recommended neighbourhood hostelry.

The Borough Arms,

77 High Street, Hungerford. RG17 0NA Tel: 01488 683233
Email: info@borougharms.co.uk Website: borougharms.co.uk

Facebook: @BoroughArms Twitter: @Borough_Arms

Opening Hours

Mon – Thu:	3 – 11pm
Fri & Sat:	12 – midnight
Sunday:	12 – 11pm