The Old White Swan, York

The Old White Swan is a large rambling pub with a number of different areas and bars set round a central courtyard. Although not badged externally as such, it's in the Nicholson's stable and part of their Classic Pubs portfolio. Inside, we learn that the pub is a collection of at least nine (!) buildings with a rather colourful history and that a variety of businesses have traded on the premises including a barbers shop and a coaching house inter alia. The building dates from the 16th century and largely consists of old timber framed structures with much exposed brickwork. There's the usual ghost stories connected with the pub. There's also some Guy Fawkes pictures, he was born nearby apparently. In one room, a blackboard tells us that the pub has offered "44 real ales to date this year" which, given that it was late June, didn't strike me as being a particularly high number. There was a good variety of real ales on offer in the two bars. The Thornbridge Wild Swan - £ 2.95p - was a superb pint. It's not in the must visit category, but I was quite impressed with this one.

You enter this pub through a covered courtyard with three separate rooms off, each with a different character. The first on the left is a table service area with the other two rooms being bar service. It's very foody and most people were eating when we were in. It's quite nicely done with flag floors and beamed ceilings. A good range of 7 ales on the bar. I had a pint of Wolf Straw Dog which was pretty good. I can see us eating in here at some point in the future, but it's not a place I would stay in all night to drink.

Official pages of the Old White Swan, contains menus and cask ale details - www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk

This is a Nicholson’s pub, and as usual with their places it is comfortably furnished, and with several decent ales on at reasonable prices. There were the usual sort of anonymous prints on the walls. I didn’t notice anything about the age of the building, but it looked pretty old to me. There are several interconnected drinking areas leading off from a small covered courtyard, including one area that has been designated as a restaurant area with table service. This room had some attractive wood panelling and a distinctive fireplace. This is a typical pubco pub, comfortably furnished, with decent ales and food all at reasonable prices. But although it lacks the individuality and coziness of several other York pubs that I have visited, I certainly wouldn’t object to a return visit. But I doubt whether I would seek it out just for somewhere to have a drink, but possibly would if I wanted somewhere to eat where I could wash down my meal with a decent pint.

Official pages of the Old White Swan, contains menus and cask ale details - www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk