The Plough Inn, Swindon

The Plough was closed on my last visit to Swindon a couple of years ago, but was open this time around. It was quiet, with just a handful of other customers inside and a couple of female bar staff. Football was showing on the TV, but the overall feel was fairly cosy. A glass panel near the bar allows you to view the cellar. below. A garden area at the rear, found after further exploration, housed quite a few more customers. As an Arkell's pub, the only real ale was 3B, with no sign of a real cider.

Looks like it has recently been done-up. L-shaped bar with white and duck egg shades inside plus booth seating and log wall. Perspex slab in bar floor affords a direct view of the cellar. Leaded windows at the front with stained glass picking out the Arkells name are nice. Games room to rear with table football and darts and an old arcade game. Narrow rear garden. Unexpectedly impressive looking bar - 12 pumps with 5x Arkells and 2x Donnington. Five ciders from Thatchers and Westons. Sadly all the ales we tried were below-par. I’d give it another go as it’s decent enough as a pub but they need to sort the beer out.