Bracknell is a convenient town for accessing my UK office, but it generally lacked interesting restaurants. After a multi-year development the downtown is completely re-done, including new restaurants, so I thought I’d check it out on this trip.

I choose the Grange Bracknell Hotel in large part due to its proximity to both the train station and the Lexicon (the name of the outdoor shopping center downtown). The style is rather dated, with boldly colored rooms, and most of the lights are fluorescent, but it was quiet and comfortable.

As advertised, the location was convenient, with a Waitrose grocery store and at least 5 coffee shops within a 5 minute walk. My hot chocolate at Brown Bag was a nice way to start a grey Monday morning.

One night I stopped in for a pint at The Bull, a pub divided into an older traditional section and a large modern extension; the old section was cozy. I also tried Fuego, a restaurant on the third floor of the Fenwick store, with a colleague. We were both pleasantly surprised at the offerings – the ham croquettes and churros were definite standouts.

Outside of Bracknell I also enjoyed business dinners at The Wheelwrights Arms in Reading (an old wooden-beamed pub) and the The Winning Post (another old pub, this one with beams so low they were padded!).