Victoria Inn, Swansea

Old-fashioned (in a mostly good way) back-street pub with glimpses over Swansea Bay: sat outside on the small front patio on a quiet Sunday, for long stretches you could hear absolutely nothing - no traffic, and not even any seagulls. It was quiet inside too, all traditionally furnished and decorated, but from what the friendly landlady said she had had a busy night previously and was happy enough with a less-frantic session. Three real ales on handpump: Bass, Rev James and a fine pint of Gower Gold.

Tucked away down a back street away from the main Mumbles drag, this is a classic Victorian local's boozer that is worth making the extra effort to locate. You enter into a quarry stone floored main bar area with the servery to your right. The bar has a pine counter with a band of tiles running along it, a stained glass canopy and a bar back sporting some detailed woodwork, plain mirrors and a Pink Floyd clock. There is a small carpeted corner to the front right with an L shaped banquette and a few tables with standard and low stool seating. A darts area can be found opposite and a couple of high tables and stools stand across from the bar. The décor here includes a number of local photos and lots of rugby themed bits, whilst ceramics have been displayed on a high shelf. A large screen TV was showing live coverage of a rugby fixture which a couple of locals seemed to be quietly following. To the rear, beyond the bar, is a carpeted lounge-style area with more ceramics on a set of shelves to the rear and an adequate amount of banquette and low stool seating can be found under a lovely 'Smoke Room' stained glass window. Plenty of photos line the walls and I also noticed a juke box, although no music played whilst I was there. I have since read that there is a well inside the pub, but I have to confess that I failed to spot it, so can't confirm this either way. Three ales were available on draught - Young's Special, Brains Rev James and Bass. The Rev James was £3.20 for a pint and in good shape, although I found the service a bit frosty and the other customers seemed cliquey and not too chuffed to see a strange face on a Friday evening. This seems to be a well run boozer with a loyal band of locals keeping things ticking over nicely. I thought the pub had a good feel to it and that it was a bit of a shame the welcome didn't match the warmth of the pub itself. Along with the Park Inn and Mumbles Ale House, this is part of a strong triumvirate of back street pubs within easy walking distance of one another and should be incorporated into any crawl of the area.