The New Inn, Swindon

Blue Scrumpy left this review about The New Inn

The New Inn is tucked away in the village of Winterbourne Monkton, just off the main A4361. I was wondering what all of the police traffic cones were doing along the lanes until I finally twigged that the summer solstice is coming up and thousands will descend on nearby Avebury! Indeed as a stranger, I reckon locals thought I was one of the solstice tourists who appear at this time of year.

Time was ticking on when I arrived at the New Inn on a Thursday evening. The pub is primarily accommodation now, but does open its doors on Thursday and Friday evenings and during the day at weekends. It's published closing time is 9pm. Arriving at around 8:25, I was worried that it might already be closed but the number of people around meant that is was still busy. I'd imagine I'd have much less luck on a cold winter's evening.

The bar at the front has some comfortable chairs off to the left and some more traditional tables on the right-hand side. There is a fireplace to the right with a wood burner. A dining room can be found off to the rear left, but all customers were either sat at the bar or in the garden to the rear right of the pub.

There is a single handpull on the bar which was unclipped with a clip for Lilley's Select sat on the bar next to it. However, a cask of Broadtown Best Bitter was sat behind the bar, along with the bag-in-the-box Lilley's option. I chose the Bitter, which was a little cloudy but still drinkable.

Despite the limited opening hours, this pub is still valued by the local community. A monthly meat raffle is held. In addition to the accommodation, some people appeared to be camping in the woods behind the pub, no doubt due to the additional demand placed on the area by the solstice.

I wasn't expecting much from this village pub but left feeling pleasantly surprised.

On 20^th June 2025 - rating: 6
[User has posted 3204 recommendations about 3202 pubs]