Black Swan, Uttoxeter

The entrance to the front bar of the Black Swan was closed during a recent early Thursday evening visit, but a sign helpfully directed visitors to the rear entrance which found next to a couple of picnic tables on a cobbled area which is accessed through the old horse and cart arch to the right of the pub. As I entered the larger, and open, rear bar the only other customer left leaving just myself and the polite landlady who was stood behind the bar counter that serves both the front and rear bars. Both the hand pumps were badged with Bass and there was a limited standard keg range. With my second Bass of the day in hand I took a seat noting that banquettes run up the left and right walls of the carpeted rear bar. On the rear wall is a dartboard and in the right rear corner is a raised tile floored snug. TNT Sport is advertised, but local news was on the television while some background music played. I thought this place was OK and the Bass was decent so I’d pop back in for another pint if passing.

Another Bass pub, but where the Vaults was busy, with around a dozen men drinking Bass, this one was dead. Now, whether the pub was dead because the Bass was not so good, or whether the Bass was a bit stale because the pub was dead, I really couldn't say. The couple running the place were friendly and helped me find my way to the Plough, which I had not planned to visit before reading about it here in a copy of the local Camra magazine. This pub has a front room and a back room, to the left of the arch that would, presumably, have led to the stables at one time. From a modern pub-goer's perspective, this might seem like an awkward arrangement, but whether this is a factor in the pub's modern day peaceful appearance is a matter for speculation. Of course, it may get lively at the weekend and in the evenings. I'm not likely to return to find out, sorry.

An old style two-roomed pub. Two bars for each room and real ale available. Though only Bass Bitter. Like a lot of pubs here it has pictures of horses dotted around the place. Low beams located around the pub so watch your heads. Its a nice pub.