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Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
on the Pub Forum
Image posted by Will Larter
Submitted on Friday, 11th August 2023
With picture contributions to 12229 other pubs
View all this pub's pictures (6 more images)
Detail Pages
The Swan, Whitchurch
Marbury
Postal town: Whitchurch
SY13 4LS
Served areas
Reviews of The Swan (Average Rating: 5 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about The Swan
A posh dining pub in a village whose name was surely borrowed for the character Lord John Marbury in the West Wing, the posh and annoying British ambassador to Washington. Full of posh people - the type that gets dressed up to go out to eat at the pub - in posh surroundings with posh furnishings. Interesting that they have to put up with crappy, irritating modern pop music just like the rest of us.
The bar counter has been installed with its back to the front door, with a screen behind, presumably in the expectation that most people will enter the pub from the car park via the beer garden. The lass behind the counter asked me how I was and I showed her my hands, filthy from replacing the inner tube on my bike on the A49; she very kindly directed me to the toilet. Now presentable, I perused the beer offering, the pump clips being barely visible through the bodies of two members of the Conservative party sitting on bar stools. They were most amused that I took photos of the beers with an actual camera. I went for a pint of Stonehouse Station Bitter - I normally restrict myself to a half when cycling, but a) I'd earnt it and b) it's a beer that I'm familiar with and like. But this one was a bit odd, being a little hazy and having some strange flavours, a bit sweetish rather than bitter. (After drinking a further half in a different pub later the same day I concluded that this one had possibly been put on the bar with its secondary fermentation incomplete.) At £4.40 a pint this was the most expensive beer in my two days spent in the Whitchurch area, but to be fair I've paid more in the Lake District this year.
I didn't see any more real ale being poured while I was sitting nearby. I'm increasingly coming to the view that pubs like this probably only have four hand pumps on the bar because it makes them look like a pub; they don't really expect to sell enough of it to avoid having to throw some out when it goes off, so they're not at all bothered with finding out whether it's a pleasant drink or not. It's the price they pay for being open, like toilet paper and air freshener.
On 14th August 2023
- rating: 5
[User has posted 4273 recommendations about 3935 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Sarah Richardson left this review about The Swan at Marbury
The Swan at Marbury is a rare jewel, a big old farmhouse that started selling real ale over 250 years ago, set in the centre of one of the most picturesque villages you could imagine, with one of the most beautiful churches in England on its doorstep. There are 2 rooms - The Bar and the Restaurant. In the bar, you'll find a log fire in the winter, comfortable furniture, a dart board, gentle conversation, easy laughter and fascinating local history on the walls. In the Restaurant you'll find an inglenook fireplace, elegant furniture, lit candles and fresh cut flowers on the tables. Here you'll be treated to a beautiful meal, cooked freshly to order by our talented chef, using seasonal, local produce where possible, including the highest quality meat from a nearby butcher, lovely free-range eggs and a range of organically grown fresh fruit and vegetables picked less than a mile away! You can choose from our scrumptious and popular menu or choose one of our specials from our ever-changing specials board. The Swan at Marbury also supports sustainable fishing and will be offering a choice of little-known but delicious fish including mackerel, dab, pouting and coley. Why not come along and try them for yourself? We look forwards to welcoming you!
On 29th January 2011
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 1 recommendations about 1 pubs]
No known official website for this pub.
- Facebook - The Swan Inn Marbury
- CAMRA WhatPub :: The Swan - whatpub.com
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Beer Garden : Yes last updated 29 August 2013 by Alan Hurdle
- Car Park : Yes last updated 29 August 2013 by Alan Hurdle
- Child Friendly : Yes last updated 29 August 2013 by Alan Hurdle
- Darts : Yes last updated 29 January 2011 by hondo .
- Dog Friendly : Yes last updated 29 August 2013 by Alan Hurdle
- Hot Food : Yes last updated 29 July 2013 by Dave McNally
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 29 January 2011 by hondo .
- Real Cider : Yes last updated 08 August 2023 by Will Larter
- WiFi : Yes last updated 29 August 2013 by Alan Hurdle
