Ye Olde Swan, Thames Ditton

Official site of Ye Olde Swan - www.greeneking.co.uk

Official site of Ye Olde Swan - www.greeneking.co.uk

The pretty riverside location had certainly brought the crowds out on a sultry summer day with the large riverside terrace teeming with people drinking and eating. The pub itself is clearly of great age and would appear to be formed from a number of buildings, probably cottages, knocked through. It is a rambling place, despite being on the road clearly with a main aspect to the river. The bar area has a stone flagged floor, boarded elsewhere, but with many modern furnishings which feel at odds with the building. A side room to the left of the bar had sofas, bucket chairs, a wall mounted TV and paintings for sale of iconic London landmarks. Around to the right are two more rooms, one with old wooden beams and posts and a low ceiling, exposed brickwork and an inglenook fireplace then up a few steps to a more formal restaurant section with a wood burning stove. As you might expect, food is important here, plenty eating outside where surprisingly the outdoor barbecue had not been fired up on a hot day. Weekend specials included a 16oz T bone steak with all the trimmings for £18.99. rack of ribs £10.99. Unusually there is an ice cream fridge in the main bar which unfortunately was a source of a couple of tantrums from over-tired, too hot toddlers. This is a Greene King outlet but one with a guest beer policy, there was IPA, OSH, Abbot plus 1648 Brewery Signature, Oxfordshire Ales Pride of Oxford and Red Squirrel Legally Blonde. Beer quality was good. A pleasant if rather busy spot on a hot afternoon, entertainment provided gratis by some foolhardy chap deciding to dive fully clothed into the river off the adjacent footbridge. Thankfully without any harm occurring.

Part of Greene King Old English chain, however benefitting from an enthusiastic (and friendly) manager who has brought in a constantly-changing and interesting range of SIBA beers alongside the GK regulars. As described below, it is a splendid rambling old building with a good riverside area. Parking can be tricky however.