The Victoria, Swindon

Couldnt resist a revisit to the Victoria. I worked regularly in Swindon in the mid 2000s and this was the party destination for the town, where an always gregarious pub landlord would host something between a disco and group karaoke. Not sure what he was trying to achieve, but it certainly worked. Packed solid, with a great atmosphere. A return 15 or so years later and its still a music pub, but more concentrating on live music. Decent music still pumped in when bands aren't on. Beer wise, the Proper Job was just as good in the nearby Good Beer Guide recommended Goddard Arms. I heard during my investigations that the original, characterful landlord had relatively recently passed on. So RIP and thanks for the great memories.

Rock pub, three quarters of the way up the hill to Swindon old town so stopped in here for a breather. Multi-area’d with yellow walls. Page 3-style porn in the gents, naff. Three ales on, Doom Bar, 6X and West Berks Good Old Boy. I had a half of the latter which was cloudy with bits floating round in it. A ludicrous mark-up on halves as well, two quid mine cost. Suspect it only survives because of the live music.