Swan Inn, Newton Abbot

Peter Forster left this review about Swan Inn

The Swan occupies a good position, only just outside the main shopping area in Newton Abbot. This together with its genuine, somewhat unspoilt traditional character (grade II listed) should make it a must visit place. Sadly the opposite is true. Outside the wall facing away from the town displays sculptures of animal heads which are a nod to its former position next to the town’s cattle market. These are worth having a look at. Inside the pub has a very standard two bar layout with a separate, carpeted, drinking room and a wood floored pool table room sharing the same serving bar. The walls were rendered in an odd cavelike fashion which turned out to be quite appropriate. Generally it was quite scruffy. The bar was one of those with coins embedded in resin - it didn’t suit the place. Drinks wise the only cask ale was Wainwrights which I generally avoid. Instead I had read that the pub was a rare outlet for Thatchers Stans Trad cider on hand pump so this was what I asked for (at £4.20 a pint). The, vaguely unfriendly, barman pulled the pump a few times to no avail and then disappeared to a back area reappearing with a pint of mysterious orange liquid. When I picked up the glass it was decidedly warm. It remained so for the duration of the warm pint of whatever it was. To further add to the miserable experience the other customers were of the type that swear loudly and continuously to conceal a poor vocabulary. When they started to turn their attentions to me I drank up and left. A great shame. A survivor pub that could be amazing but is a harbour for a particular type of unwelcoming local and should probably be avoided by everyone else.

On 21^st June 2026 - rating: 3
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