The Swan Inn, Stone

Splendid living beer festival in historic and tastefully furnished building. Well worth a visit. Discount for card-carrying CAMRA members.

A long thin pub located in a village on a high ridge overlooking the Dearne Valley (and Barnsley and the M1). There is a dining area at each end with a flagstone floored bar in the middle. Tongue and groove all round, including the bar counter, with cream walls above decorated with photos and some nice watercolours. Elegant, fairly modern styled furnishings, obviously tables and chairs in the dining areas, although all the tables have neatly stacked beer mats, some trendy round armchairs in the bar area. Low ceilings with modern beams in all three rooms, but neatly done. Particularly foody at lunchtimes although none of the mains are much above £8, most are lower. Five handpumps dotted about the bar, Black Sheep Bitter, John Smiths Cask and OSH when I visited – allegedly E&S Elland beers are often on as guests. The staff are very sharp and friendly. I tried the Black Sheep and have no complaints at all. It's in the GBG but I'll run through the kegs for you, Guinness, Strongbow, Carling, Stella, Tetleys Smooth. The car park is on a very steep hill.

A large former 18th century? warehouse, in unrendered brick with green paintwork. The interior is open plan, though there are three areas, a bar area and a loungey type area at either end. The decor is white, with wood panel and ceiling and support beams. A beer mat collection covers large parts of the walls and ceiling, but there are also old photos and other pictures and a couple of nice fireplaces. The service was good, the clientele mixed and it was busy. Beer; tap stuff, with 9 real ale handpulls. All that i had were very well kept and decent; RCH Brewery's PG Steam and Double Header. Also had a nice pint of Black Hole Bitter, from the Black Hole Brewery. A quality pub and the one i usually visit first when in Stone. A must.