Bloomin' 'eck - you used to go some wierd and wonderful ways to get up t'north!
The Bullington Cross is indeed boarded up. The last landlord was obviously a big Man U fan judging by the stuff on the walls.
Whitchurch is just off the A34 (you would only go to Kingsclere if you were going to Newbury via Basingstoke) and has Whitchurch FC Sports & Social Club, the Harvest Home, Kings Arms, White Hart, Red House, Prince Regent, The Bell, The Railway (presently closed) and The Watership Down.
The Swan in Newbury has just had a huge refit. It is in a valley so it is down hill whichever way you get to it. The hill is a bit before it on the Newbury By-Pass as it used to be.
Newbury, Whitchurch and Bullington now all bypassed by the A34 and I bet the coaches just stop at Chieveley Services now!