The Tuppenny, Swindon

An attractive looking stone built pub in the heart of Swindon’s Old Town, and in particular on a short strip that seems to be attracting a number of craft beer bars and the like, this is divided in to two halves internally with a partition wall down the middle but a couple of knocked through doorways at each end so you can walk completely around. Décor wise it’s fairly traditional with parquet wood flooring, a plain whitewashed ceiling and dark blue paintwork on much of the walls, as well as some dark blue wallpaper in places and some rough wooden cladding. Seating was a mixture of rough wooden benches around the permitter, a couple of Chesterfield sofas and armchairs as well as regular chairs. A large selection of board games were stacked up on shelves at the rear, and there were some black and white pencil drawings of the brewing process. A small stage area was off to one side and a board featured a regular selection of forthcoming bands, and there were also a number of black and white band photos dotted around the walls. Beers on tap were Electric Bear’s Kangabrew and Prehistoric Creature’s Best Bitter. The solitary cider meanwhile was Cotswold Prime, which wasn’t quite to my taste. Overall, not bad, although I can’t help thinking it lacked a little something, although it’s difficult to put my finger on what. Certainly it could have done with being a few degrees warmer in there which didn’t help.

U-shaped upmarket craft bar and I’d be hard-pressed to realise this actually a shop conversion from both the frontage and interior. Quite nicely done with dark blue/white colours, parquet flooring and traditional furniture. A set of kegs, a really good fridge of stuff and two eclectic cask from Electric Bear and Hobsons Bitter (sadly fag end, NBSS 2.5) which clocked in at a brilliant £3.50 for a pint. There's a piano and a plethora of board games available for your leisure. Live music advertised. According to the table literature you can order in momo from a nearby takeaway. I liked it here and stayed for a bottle of Ayinger Brauweisse - £5.30 – though on inspection 2 weeks past BBE so their stock control needs tightening. A mixed crowd in situ and I quite enjoyed it here, it’s a cut above the normal Swindon fayre and I’m likely to re-appear again.

Best described as an upmarket craft bar, to me it was verging on wine bar in feel. There are two handpumps but no ale on while I was there, one was loaded with Snails Bank Raspberry Ripple Cider, I passed on that, there were six taps for craft and another four for premium lagers etc. I ended up with a Pastore Bluberry Sour which was OK. Its worth a look in but I wouldn't make a beeline.

The Tuppenny is situated in the Old Town on Devizes Road, where a number of decent bars have sprung up during the last few years. It is certainly the best are for drinking in the town. We arrived to find only the barman/owner in situ, which gave us the full choice of seating in the single room split by a central partition. The barman was certainly knowledgeable about his offerings and also about the local pub/bar scene. We had an enjoyable chat. The solitary real ale is West Berkshire Old Boy. A second handpull had Cotswold Cider Company She Devil, but the focus is more on craft beers, with a decent range on offer. There was also a substantial gin list. Certainly worthy of a visit when visiting the Old Town.

Official site of The Tuppenny - thetuppenny.com

Official site of The Tuppenny - thetuppenny.com