The Swan, Maidstone

It's so long since I ventured into a Shep's tied house I can't even remember when that was. This is a small back street one close to the prison, the County Court and the East Station. Inside it's a long small single room with wooden floors and the bar in front of you. It was empty on my Friday lunch time visit. I only saw three hand pumps on the bar two of which were clipped with Master Brew and the other with Early Bird the seasonal beer for Spring. I thought this was disappointing for a GBG listed town house. I went for the Early Bird (£3.75) which was in good nick but hardly a beer to write home about. I thought the price was way over the odds, maybe that's why the pub was empty. It's a pleasant enough little pub but with the limited beer choice and high price charged would not return. The Rifle Volunteers and Flowerpot are in another league compared to this.

The Swan is one of many Shepherd Neame pubs in Maidstone, but unlike the rest there is a bit more ale variety. Master Brew was available alongside St Austell Trelawny, Shannon IPA and Seafarers with one hand pump being unused during my lunchtime visit last week. There is also a standard draught selection and freshly made sandwiches are available for around £2.50. The interior of the pub is L shaped and there is a dartboard at each end. There is no Sky Sports, but there is a plasma screen in the centre of the pub which was showing some antiques based programme courtesy of BBC. There is a biweekly quiz on Wednesdays and every now and again there is live music or folk jamming sessions. Something new to me are the monthly knit and bitch meetings that are held for a couple of hours on Thursday afternoons. There are a couple of picnic tables out the front and a garden can be found at the rear. I found this to be a very welcoming boozer with a homely atmosphere. From what I’ve seen so far this pub is up there with the best pubs in the area and I would gladly return.