ReviewLocated just down the hill from the centre of Killay, along one of the main roads onto the Gower peninsula, the Railway Inn somehow manages to give the impression of remote isolation thanks to its positioning in a wooded area alongside the River Clyne and the disused Bristol and Bath railway line. The pub has retained a very traditional layout, with three separate rooms accessed from a central corridor, two of which are served by a small bar. The small vinyl floored room to the left as you enter might well be considered the main bar, despite its compact size. Some red padded benches run under the front window, providing seating for a few small tables. The servery is covered in old pump clips and the walls are plastered with countless amusing photo-shopped images of staff and locals getting up to all sorts of things. There’s also a few Welsh rugby related items, much of which was lost on me. Opposite this room, on the other side of the corridor, there is another small room with some plush upholstered banquettes lined up on opposing walls. The room is a bit smarter than the main bar and has been decorated with pictures and maps of the Gower and surrounding area, as well as a few railway themed pictures. On the end wall, bookshelves flank a large stone fireplace with a dartboard above it, although the logistics of playing darts in such a small space seem complicated, as the oche is effectively at the other end of the room. Following the corridor to the end, you reach the largest of the three rooms – a dark, carpeted lounge with more banquette seating. A fireplace on one wall has a lintel dated 1804, which acts as something of a focal point in a room full of visual distractions. Railway buffs will love the pictures of the nearby line in its heyday and these are complimented with lots more train, tram and bus memorabilia. On the end wall there is a large painting of the pub, which I thought looked pretty good. A door leads out to an outdoor toilet block at the rear, and there are a few benches out the front which caught some midday rays as the sun passed over the surrounding trees.
On the bar, the local Swansea Brewing Co was well represented with their Deep Slate Dark, Bishopwood Bitter, Original Wood and Three Cliffs Gold available alongside Palmers Dorset Gold and a real cider. I tried the first two and found them both in great condition, especially the Dark which slipped down very well. The barmaid was very polite and had a good rapport with the locals who drifted in and out over the course of the afternoon.
I loved this pub from the moment I set foot in here. It’s great to find an untouched pub like this in a part of the world where creating large, single room venues seems to have been a priority. The fact that they serve great local beers is a bonus and anyone walking up the old railway line from the beach will be well rewarded for their efforts.
