Upon entering The Fisherman’s Cottage you are immediately hit with that warm and friendly atmosphere of a family-run independent.

Unlike the more traditional (and occasionally stuffy) old English pubs, the interior of The Fisherman’s Cottage is bright, spacious, and trendy with plenty of plants and low-hanging lights.

My housemate Michelle Lewis said: “I love the aesthetic of the place! As a young professional, this would be a great place to bring friends or even a date.

“I love the wall decorations, it’s super funky and everything works well.”

The pub also hasn’t held back on the Christmas décor, with a full-size tree and Christmas lights adorning most walls. The effect is both festive and cosy.

Furthermore, if you need some puppy therapy (like me most days) this is definitely the pub for you.

Other than the multitude of young and old dogs running around daily, the pub also regularly hosts dog parties for local pets.

A list of all the neighbourhood pooch’s birthdays even hangs on a blackboard beside the front door. They also have a food menu just for dogs.

Owner of The Fisherman’s Cottage Mrs Cigdem Atkins said: “If they don’t have other dog friends, we can invite others to come so they can make friends.”

Me and my housemates had the pleasure of visiting The Fisherman’s Cottage to sample their evening menu, and it’s safe to say they did not disappoint.

I decided on a beef burger with caramelised onion and melted blue cheese, which I can only describe as heavenly.

Unlike some of the blander burgers I have had in my time, the beef patty was flavoursome and well-seasoned.

Give me anything caramelised, and I will be one happy girl. This was no exception with its generous serving of sweet and salty onions. I could happily have this meal every day.

The other girls ordered an assortment of burgers and wraps which all came with fries and salads. We also shared some mozzarella sticks.

The kitchen was also incredible when it came to allergies and intolerances, of which I have quite a few.

Katie Thompson said: “I was very impressed with the various gluten-free options, especially the gluten-free burger. I also loved how balanced the plate was, with loads of veg as well as chips.

“The atmosphere was vibrant, and you get the sense of how close the local community is, not just the people but the local dogs of Reading as well.”

We also had the pleasure of visiting the pub on their weekly Bohemian Night, where from 8 pm local talent can show off their music and poetry skills.

We thoroughly enjoyed listening to various spoken word and piano tunes whilst sharing a range of sweet treats. These included chocolate fudge cake, Bailey’s chocolate cake, and a bowl of mini eggs.

Edith Carey said: “The food was amazing, I had the chicken wrap which was lovely. The owner, barman and chef had lots of time for us which was really nice.”