The Swan, Bushey

Unchanged since previous reviews, and very much a locals community pub. Youngs, Black Sheep, Landlord and Abbot appear to be stock beers.

Official site of The Swan - www.swanpubbushey.co.uk

Official site of The Swan - www.swanpubbushey.co.uk

Well described below, this pub retains its character and is a welcoming back street local. The seats at the front were occupied by smokers, but we were greeted pleasantly before even going in. Inside, the dartboard was not in use, there is a collection of books to borrow and there were a couple of tv screens being unobtrusive and showing Sky Sports. The background music was agreeable, They hold regular quiz nights and are inclusive of strangers. Three ales on draft, I had Young's Bitter, which was reasonably well kept but not stunning. A decent pub, worth a visit.

This is a very nice single room Victorian pub down a quiet side street off Bushey High Street. You enter into the front bar which has bare floorboards with standard and fixed bench seating along the right hand wall and in a small nook in front of the bar which, according to the etched glass door in this corner, was previously the Jug and Bottle area of the pub. A curved bar counter runs down the left from here with a glass bar back which has a display of Guinness themed ceramics, a few trophies and tankards and a china swan. Opposite stands a smart fireplace beyond which there is a wide doorway with a cricket bat suspended from above, taking you through to the rear bar where a similar fireplace can be found. There are lots of old photos, paintings, newspaper clippings, badges and the like covering the walls, with plenty of interest to snoop around. A TV screen was showing live rugby and another one directly next to it was broadcasting Sky Sports News. There are more fixed benches and standard seats back here, opposite a shelf with a chunky old fashioned TV set and series of weighty looking reference tomes. The room narrows significantly to the rear with space for a drinking ledge, high stools, a book swap and a dartboard. There are a few picnic benches at the front of the pub and apparently there is a garden to the rear where the Ladies toilets can also be located. There were four ales on the bar when I arrived - Sharps Doom bar, Taylor Landlord, Youngs Ordinary and Greene King Abbot Ale - not the most exciting line up you're likely to encounter but good to at least have some element of choice and my pint of Landlord was in pretty good shape. The staff and customers here were all very friendly and welcoming and there seemed to be a good band of loyal customers coming and going throughout my visit. I quickly warmed to this charming little pub and enjoyed relaxing here with a pint and one of the day's papers from their rack. The pub has made recent editions of the Good Beer Guide and I would suggest that one slightly less 'mainstream' beer option would elevate the place from a 'good option' to a 'must visit'.