The White Swan Hotel, Stratford Central, Stratford-Upon-Avon

This is an ancient bar and lounge within the White Swan Hotel. As you enter the hotel take either of the first two doors to the right for the lounge or the third door to enter the small bar area. The lounge has low ceilings, a fantastic mural on the wall protected behind glass, bookcases, wood panelling and mullioned windows. There are leather sofas, huge armchairs around a central fireplace. It’s a step back in time, a fantastic place for a quiet pint in classic surroundings. The small bar area is also wood panelled and has 3 handpumps on the bar. They were serving GK IPA, Pride and Purity Mad Goose. The Mad Goose was a very good pint. Now for the only bit of bad news, the prices are very modern. This was the most expensive place we drank in the whole two days, £7.10 for a Mad Goose and a 175ml glass of red wine, the rest of Stratford will get to this level in about mid 2012 I suspect. It’s still a great place and despite the prices we called back the following night.