Butler'S Wine Vaults

Butler's Wine Vaults is a public house established in 1830, featuring a two-storey design that may date from the same period. The building is constructed of brick and topped with a slate roof, presenting five bays, four of which are rendered. The three central bays are designed as a 'pub front', with a quoined bay on the left and a parapet that includes two pedimented panels.

The left bay features a round-headed sash window on the first floor, which has marginal glazing, an eared architrave, and a panel above. The ground floor boasts a well-preserved shop front from the period, characterized by heavy side piers and brackets, a central entrance, and arcaded windows. The two main bays on the first floor are flanked by outer pilasters capped with acanthus leaves and contain two late glazing bar sash windows topped with segmental pediments. These windows are adorned with high relief carvings of fruit and flowers, supported by acanthus-capped pilasters.

A notable feature of the 'pub front' is the six-sided central moulded panel displaying the traditional Old Reading Abbey sign, which has been restored. The ground floor beneath this panel includes the typical two entrances, six-panelled pilasters with acanthus caps, and two central windows. There is also a dray entrance to the left and a window for the dwelling and bar extension to the right.