The Swan Inn, Telford

This is a nice Georgian build. Formerly cottages turned into an inn and a malthouse in the 1760s. Now a hotel, restaurant and pub - which in modern parlance translates to a 'smoke and taphouse' it seems. Has a patio at the front. The pub interior covers a front bar, which circles around the serving bar to form a circular area. the rear part seems more for dining. There is a side room, down some steps, which has another dining area with an impressive fireplace. We were in the bar, which was plain, with a few moderny arty pictures. Decor was a mix of a french mustard and grey, and there is a writing on the wall that gives a history to the place - beats Spoons info boards! Service was very friendly and we were the first in on the day. TV wasn't on and some soft music played in the background. Usual tap stuff with a couple of real ales - Spoke Citra and Tetley Pale Ale, which was OK. Happy to have stopped for one before moving on.

Now re-opened as a pub after a couple of years as a B&B only . Not visited myself but Mrs Oggwyn reports over £6 for three halves of lager which is pretty steep for the area .

A former old wharfeside pub now with a plain, very basic, meant to be trendy I suppose, stripped back interior. Inside there is a central spine wall with the counter along it, in front of this is the main drinking bar with a few high tables, behind the wall is a dining area with its tongue and groove left in place. There is a large outside drinking area and a tiny courtyard at the back. I don't know what is in the larger building at the back visible in the photos. Very handy for the Museum of the Gorge across the road and its associated bus interchange. Tourist use of course, but seems to have some regulars. Some interesting woodwork but stripped back to the rot and woodworm. More taupe walls and anachronistic light fittings. I was greeted with the increasingly popular “are you all right there?” from the bar staff which may translate into “are you waiting?” “Yes Sir, what would you like?” or even the Liverpudlian “wots yours?” .......or maybe not.