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Detail Pages
The Old Swan Uppers, Maidenhead
Cookham
Postal town: Maidenhead
SL6 9QE
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Old Swan Uppers
Very busy on our brief stop-off. The only change of note inside is that some of the beams have been painted white, never a good look in my book. The usual regional line-up (or ‘beers you have heard of’, depending on your bent). I went for a Marstons 61 Deep which was in very good shape, as befits this place’s reputation. They were getting set-up for a Eurovision party in the back room but the lass in the sequin dress very kindly allowed us to finish up our drinks rather than turfing us out into the squash of the main bar.
August 2014
The most obviously pubby pub in Crookham, with a nice atmosphere and friendly service. Traditional low-ceilinged black beamed bar at front for drinkers with some half-wood panelling, inglenook fireplaces and rooms further back for dining. Side gravel-laid beer garden. Five pumps four ales; Butcombe (very good), Pride (very good) Courage Best and Doom Bar (I think). Perhaps a bit of a dull line-up for the hardened ale drinker but the quality of the two I tried made up for it. Rated 8
On 14th May 2018
- rating: 8
[User has posted 5099 recommendations about 5082 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Old Boots left this review about The Old Swan Uppers
Very much in the olde English style in the front bar, rather less so in the rear restaurant area. Five pulls with regional Brewers wares, Brains, Fullers, St Austell and Wells among them plus Butcombe bitter. Fairly average condition and still under £4 a pint. Nice decor of beams from elsewhere and brass. It's also the nearest pub to Cookham railway station.
On 12th June 2016
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3269 recommendations about 2978 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about The Old Swan Uppers
Am very pleased to report that since Malden man’s previous review the beer choice in the Swans Uppers has improved and the knowledgeable landlord of some years standing is now able to select from a much more extended monthly list from the PubCo that manages this property.
Still the five hand pumps centrally placed on the wooden bar top, but now, as well as the regular Pride, Courage Best and Brakspears Best there are two rotating guest beers which are changed every 3 to 4 days. These were Youngers 1749 and York Brewery Guzzlers and the forthcoming guest beers are advertised on the wall opposite the bar.
Superb internal traditional dark wood beamed interior as described below, but now more becoming as the dark paint has recently been removed from the half wood panelling around the walls and the bar front itself, exposing the lighter original wood.
The beers are well kept and good , traditional homemade pub food available as well.
With most of the other establishments in Cookham having undergone Gastro makeovers in keeping with the well heeled nature of the local residents, The Swan uppers remains a superb traditional pub alternative a short walk out of the village and is thoroughly recommended if you are in the area, especially if you are walking the Thames path.
On 2nd September 2011
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2111 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about The Old Swan Uppers
A simply lovely historic place, old gnarled timber beams and posts support the very low ceiling in the bar area, two inglenook fireplaces including an old wood burning stove, stone flagged floor, old leaded windows, hops wound around the bar, just gorgeous. Seating comprises upholstered wooden benches and settles, plus stools, cribbage board and shove h'penny board available, a few books on a shelf although one is entilted "Memories of Slough".....John Betjamen was not a former patron then?
A rear room was set for dining, bench style seating to the front also.
Point to note.......if you need the gents its called "Cobs".
As for the name, it seems "Swan Upping" relates to the annual census of the Mute Swan population on various upper reaches of The Thames, a ritual since the 1200's. Interesting point to me as I'm walking the river path.
The beer.... 5 on handpump, Pride, Bombardier, GK IPA, Doom Bar, and Brakspears Bitter. Hmm, could be better and a lovely pub like this could have gained a top range rating with a better range plus a local guest. I would however comment that my pint was brim full with no need to request or argue a top up. £2.85 for Doombar is ok to me for here.
On 6th February 2010
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1708 recommendations about 1681 pubs]