Old Black Swan, Bedale

Stepping down a couple of steps from the street takes you into a wide, shallow room in half timber and plain walls decorated with a miscellany of photos and pictures, you may notice a pair of wagon wheels forming an open wall by the door and the stuffed birds on the mantelpiece. You will notice the traditional furniture of upholstered benches and chairs beside cast tables each with a complement of place mats and condiments. To the side is a large TV screen looking a little out of place here. In the corner is the bar counter but without pumps or founts. Carry on along the new flagstones flanked by nice carpet, down to another level into a less lounge like area and the furniture is similar but the counter running down much of the right hand side is adequately provisioned with beer dispensers. In this case a three pull set with ok Theakstons Old Peculier, Black Bull and Best Bitter, further along is a two pull with John Smiths Cask and space for another ale, between lie the keg founts so familiar in the UK. Further back and slightly hidden by a vestigial wall is a pool table, and some games machines. 1960's pop music formed a soundtrack to all this on my visit. The service was from the Yorkshire school of customer care, the atmosphere subdued and the customers a bit older although there were some children in.