The Swan Inn, Leighton Buzzard

Official site of the Swan, contains menus - www.theswanstewkley.co.uk

A good sized pub in the centre of this pleasant village, it has a traditional brick built appearance, beer garden and friendly bar staff. The main lounge is a cosy room with a low wood beamed ceiling and a very large brick fire-place with a copper chimney hood and plenty of copper pans hanging from the mantle. The locals were keeping this well stocked with logs on a recent cold December evening. Off to the side is a smaller room with wooden boards on the floor that is perhaps more intended for dining, although the tables were not laid up. Another brick chimney breast is in here, although this was not in use. Black wood panelling was on the lower part of the walls and very pale pink paintwork above. To the side of the pub was a small snug that looked as though it could have been someone’s sitting room with a couple of old leather sofas, a fireplace and a wooden cabinet stood in the corner. A small Father Christmas stood on a stool in front of the window so he could see out! The homely touches were slightly spoilt though by a very large plasma stuck up in one corner and a quiz machine in the other, although neither were in use. The menu was unusual in as much that all the options were either seafood, steaks or burgers, so not necessarily something to suit everyone if that’s not your thing. In particular the vegetarian options were limited to just Quorn fillets or a spicy bean burger. The main courses were all priced at £8.95. My Fish of the day in a cheese and wine sauce was a generous portion and served with both a good choice of vegetables (peas, plus roasted beans, carrots and parsnips) as well as Dauphinoise potatoes and a decent side salad (mixed peppers, lettuce, tomato, red onion and a grain mustard vinaigrette) but if I was being critical I would say that it could have done with being a little tastier, particularly the sauce which had very little discernable cheese flavour. Beers on tap were Doom Bar, Trelawney and Old Speckled Hen. There was a fourth pump that appeared to have run out and looked as though it was something from Courage. The solitary cider was Strongbow, unfortunately.

Official site of the Swan, contains menus - www.theswanstewkley.co.uk

I found this little gem quite by accident, but boy, am I glad. Lovely warm and very friendly place to visit and I can only give the highest praise to management and staff. I strongly recommend a visit if you prefer being treated as a human being and not just a punter.