Swan Hotel, Newport

The Swan Hotel is a Joule’s Brewery pub on the A519 a few minutes north of Newport. To the left of the pub is a car park that is faced by the entrance that leads to the main bar area. Either side of the entrance are grand fireplaces with burners and short adjacent banquettes. More seating is found on the bare boards and impressive wood panelling runs around the walls. A short bar counter on the rear wall supports six hand pumps that were drawing Joule’s Slumbering Monk, Pale Ale and Pure Blonde, all doubled up. Premium keg was also available alongside Carling. To the right of the bar area is a parquet floored seating area with another fireplace. To the left of the bar is a raised parquet seating area and to the front is a tiled conservatory. Steps at the rear lead down to small flagstone seating area and a tile floored corridor to the right leads behind the aforementioned bar to another seating area. In here are two more fireplaces and a small section of back bar allows service. A door leads to the bottom of the stairs up to the hotel rooms above, and a further door leads back into the parquet floored seating area to the right of the bar. This is an impressive building with friendly service, well worth a look if passing.