The Brunswick Arms, Swansea

I missed this one because of the evil Wu-Flu on my prior attempted visit. Glad I made the effort this time round as the TARDIS-like interior is a wood-clad gem, ‘country pub in the city’ if you will and PSM’s review 11 years ago still holds true as regards the inside of the place. GBG listed and confusing at bar with mix of pumps and stillage, three ales on in total I think though none of them could be classed as exciting. My Waddies 6X from stillage was very good (NBSS 3.5). I was enamoured of this one; it felt relaxed, warm and cosy with some old skool charm. I might go as far as to say it’s my favourite pub in Swansea, if a 15minute walk uphill from the centre. 8.5

Official site of Brunswick Arms - www.brunswickswansea.com

Official site of Brunswick Arms - www.brunswickswansea.com

Tucked away down an unassuming side street, the Brunswick is a bit of a hidden gem, far enough from the city centre to fill up with the masses, but worth the fifteen or so minute walk from town for the more discerning drinker. The pub has a very traditional feel to it, resembling more of a rural pub than a back street boozer. Comprising a single, long room carpeted throughout with a row of dark wood pillars running straight down the middle, the place offers a good range of standard and pew seating along the entire length of the room. Dark wooden beams have been adorned with various pots, pans, horse brasses, tankards and the like, whilst high shelves are lined with old bottles, jars and other such vessels. A small fireplace is situated in the front left corner, with the servery running much of the rest of the length of this wall. A series of rather creative line drawings of various political figures were displayed throughout the pub and several bits of art from local artists were for sale. At the end of the servery, a large collection of pump clips was on display and I noticed several TV screens throughout the pub, some turned off whilst others showed muted (phew!) Loose Women, whilst the radio played in the background. Regular ales Courage Best and Greene King Abbot Ale were supplemented by Caledonian Golden XSB and Gower Brewery Power – the latter on stilage behind the bar with two more casks next to it still conditioning. The Caledonian was very drinkable and the barman was a friendly chap, giving me a cheery welcome and farewell. I really like this pub and think it is well worth making a bit of effort to seek it out. It’s relatively unspoiled interior marks it out above the vast majority of Swansea’s pubs and I have always found the place very warm and friendly with decent beer a definite bonus.