The Swan & Dog, Ashford

I have been passing the pub from time to time. And in that time nothing about the place has changed my opinion of it. It may well be the most wonderful pub in the world. It may well serve the world’s finest food, accompanied by the world’s finest ales in the company of the world’s finest people. But I will never know. Take yesterday’s visit for example. Despite freezing temperatures and snow on the ground, at 1.30pm the beer garden had a dozen assorted thugs and thug-ettes standing around in it. They were all obviously drunk on lager and were shouting abuse at passers-by. In the past they’ve been content to be screeching at each other. Now they’ve turned on the general public. So there I was, faced with two pubs within ten yards of each other. One has a garden filled with yobs screaming abuse at the world, one does not. I suppose this pub fills a useful niche for those who like to shout whilst necking lager by the gallon.