please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Will this pub ever open again after the fire. It had plastic hoarding up around it and it looked as though some repair work was going on, not so sure now, it still looks a mess.
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Pub now closed
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I visited this pub on Wednesday 27th Jan 2010 at lunchtime (arrived at 12:45) with two friends, having cycled the Basingstoke Canal to reach it.
We were surprised to see that the car park was completely empty, and even more surprised on entering to find that the entire pub was empty.
The interior was cold and grubby, eventually a member of staff arrived, and on enquiring as to the availability of ales, we were informed that the only available pint was Courage Best.
We left very quickly, considering that this pub is a free house, there is a brewery within a few hundred yards, also the Hogs Back Brewery is very close, I was very disappointed. For a pub with this location and appearance, I would expect much more.
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Popped in here saturday evening for a pint of King John pale ale @ 4.2 ABV, slightly warm as was the J20 out of the fridge!! The bar woman did not look very salubrious and kept flicking her greasy unkempt hair from across her face while pulling a pint. Just about managed to finish beer. Will not be going here again in a hurry.
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well controdicting what the person below my comment has to say... i think the swan inn is a very friendly local pub with a lovely atmosphere. And the staff are very pleasent and are always up for a good conversion, i've found with the back garden tucked away from the traffic is lovly to get away and relax into a quite drink with friends. i give the swan a good 9/10
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Really can't see how this place is still open. Scruffy looking owners or managers or whatever they are. Used it a bit when Peter was in charge but not any more. Drinks warm and beer badly kept, service from a bloke permanently in an old football shirt. My money is on it for the next in the area to shut.
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Now run by a friendly family (husband and daughter licensees)with with wife and husband of above respectively since last September. The other bar and waiting staff we have found to be also friendly and helpful.
Landlord is passionate about real ales and is a CAMRA supporter. Always keen to ask real ale drinkers for their opinion and suggestions; keeps ales in excellent condition, Doom Bar and Fortyniner amongst the best. Prices not hiked up (unless you include the last budget!!)and are competitively priced.
Family works hard to provide a traditional pub and regular entertainment for the locals and visitors; also child and dog friendly.
Surprised to find they open at 9.30 for Full English Breakfast for only �4.25!! Traditional home made pub food at Lunch times and evenings all reasonable even if portions a little on the large size!! Sunday Carvery all home cooked with plenty of choice of meat and help yourself veg. although normally busy with locals and 'canal walkers' so we normally book.
All together well worth a visit.
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new landlord has changed this pub out of site, now a nice friendly locals boozer, just introduced a third real ale as well, a pub on the up
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Full of funny locals, did not warm to outsiders one bit. Shady atmosphere, rather clicky environment. Beer very pricey, not sure if I would feel safe here, have heard stories about the landlord and regulars. Try the Bell, just watch out for firemen.
Wilfred and Maggie - 13 Jul 2004 18:23 |
Absolute GEM of a place. Landlord and staff are great cannot fault it at all. Great beer, great food and great surroundings.
Ross - 20 May 2004 13:13 |
What a great place! Nice old battle cruiser! Cant fault it food brilliant and for the area very cheap and resonable. Good selection of ales. Nice garden nice area great place to go for a beer with your mates.
Lee Holmes - 20 May 2004 13:10 |
Very much the 'local' of the area. Very good real ales. Landlord is master brewer. More smokey then most pubs nowadays. Good food (trad. pub menu). Loads of character with big inglenook fireplace burning in winter months.
Jonathan - 29 Apr 2004 13:03 |
This was taken over in recent months by the former landlord/landlady of the Soldiers Return in Basingstoke, so if they can keep up the same standard in The Swan it will be a good pub.
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