The Betsey Wynne, Milton Keynes

This is an unusual pub in as much that it's quite a modern build (2006) but is not some bland identikit outfit from a national chain. From chatting to the landlady, it would appear that the village of Swanbourne is privately owned and the pub was built by the village owners for the residents, as there was no pub there previously. Appearance wise, whilst obviously modern it looks a little like a luxury country home with some timbered detailing on the exterior and inside too it's certainly one of the better examples of modern pub architecture that I've come across. Inside it's essentially divided in to three, although there are no doors or walls between each area. The main bar area is cosy enough with a mainly red tiled floor although there was also some wood strip at one end. There are a few beams on the ceiling, a couple of pillars made of both wood and brick and a large, brick built dual aspect fire-place that had a wood burning stove blazing away which was a pleasant touch on snowy January evening. At one end were a few old leather armchairs and a small book shelf with some very old books on. Off to one side is a restaurant area which had an impressive vaulted ceiling finished in a dark salmon colour. At the other end of the pub was a small snug with a flagstone floor, wood panelled ceiling and a large brick fire-place taking up almost one wall, although this was not lit. There was also a small TV up in one corner which looked a little out of place, but fortunately this was not in use. Food wise, the menu was a cut above your usual "pub grub" with only one of the main courses coming in at under a tenner, and even then it was only 5p less and that was for a vegetarian pasta dish. Other options ranged mostly around the £14 - £16 price bracket, although some of the steaks were £20 plus. My Cod & Chips was a decent enough dish with plenty of firm, chunky flakes of fish, but then at £12.95 one could argue that it should be pretty decent. Some requested tomato ketchup came not in a small sachet or a manky old bottle, but in a small china dish that was itself on both a doily and a plate. Beers on tap were the seasonal Rosey Nosey from Bateman's (although it's no longer very seasonal half way through January) and Tribute. The cider was Thatcher's Gold which makes a pleasant change from the ubiquitous Strongbow that you seem to get around these parts. My pint was served somewhat short, and whilst it was topped up when requested it was still not to the rim. The landlady didn't seem particularly cheerful, but the young waitress was pleasant and friendly.

The Betsey Wynne official site with menus - www.thebetseywynne.co.uk

The Betsey Wynne official site with menus - www.thebetseywynne.co.uk

Here is a picture of Swanbourne Railway Station for anybody that is interested in disused railways

Here is a picture of Swanbourne Railway Station for anybody that is interested in disused railways