The Swan, Bristol

A Bath Ales (sorry, I refuse to spell it bath ales) pub, it had Gem; Golden Hare; and SPA on when I visited it on Wednesday lunchtime. I had the Gem, which was absolutely superb, and at £2.55 a pint seemed very reasonably priced to someone used to paying London prices. There were only a handful of other drinkers in there – a couple of hikers plus two or three others who looked as if they were passing trade. I suspect it is a different story during the evening. The pub itself looks very attractive from the outside with some well tended hanging baskets, but the inside has a more functional appearance. There are some attractive floor tiles in the front bar; to the right it is bare-boarded with a few normal tables coupled with banquettes and stools; and the bar to the left looks slightly more comfortable being carpeted and is probably used by diners (although no-one was eating when I was in there). My overall impression of this pub is that it is welcoming and functional, but not luxurious, and is a pretty decent place to enjoy a few excellent ales in reasonably comfortable surroundings. Definitely worth dropping in for a pint if you are driving past.

Official pages of the Swan at the Bath Ales site - www.bathales.co.uk

Official pages of the Swan at the Bath Ales site - www.bathales.co.uk