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Detail Pages
The Swan, Maidstone
Maidstone
ME14 1UY
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Aqualung . left this review about The Swan
It's so long since I ventured into a Shep's tied house I can't even remember when that was.
This is a small back street one close to the prison, the County Court and the East Station. Inside it's a long small single room with wooden floors and the bar in front of you. It was empty on my Friday lunch time visit.
I only saw three hand pumps on the bar two of which were clipped with Master Brew and the other with Early Bird the seasonal beer for Spring. I thought this was disappointing for a GBG listed town house. I went for the Early Bird (£3.75) which was in good nick but hardly a beer to write home about. I thought the price was way over the odds, maybe that's why the pub was empty. It's a pleasant enough little pub but with the limited beer choice and high price charged would not return. The Rifle Volunteers and Flowerpot are in another league compared to this.
On 4th May 2015
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2143 recommendations about 2143 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Swan
Traditional backstreet pub, handy for County Hall and Maidstone East station. Small, staple-shaped bar with a limited amount of mostly basic furniture. Also has a couple of benches out front. Main features of interest have always been the well-kept Shepherd Neame beers, with Master Brew, Kent's Best and IPA plus Kite Thunderbird (£3.55) on offer from four of the five handpumps. Worth seeking out.
On 13th March 2014
- rating: 8
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The Swan Inn
The Swan is one of many Shepherd Neame pubs in Maidstone, but unlike the rest there is a bit more ale variety. Master Brew was available alongside St Austell Trelawny, Shannon IPA and Seafarers with one hand pump being unused during my lunchtime visit last week. There is also a standard draught selection and freshly made sandwiches are available for around £2.50. The interior of the pub is L shaped and there is a dartboard at each end. There is no Sky Sports, but there is a plasma screen in the centre of the pub which was showing some antiques based programme courtesy of BBC. There is a biweekly quiz on Wednesdays and every now and again there is live music or folk jamming sessions. Something new to me are the monthly knit and bitch meetings that are held for a couple of hours on Thursday afternoons. There are a couple of picnic tables out the front and a garden can be found at the rear.
I found this to be a very welcoming boozer with a homely atmosphere. From what I’ve seen so far this pub is up there with the best pubs in the area and I would gladly return.
On 17th November 2011
- rating: 8
[User has posted 5251 recommendations about 5219 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Manky Badger left this review about The Swan Inn
One of the very few Shepherd Neame pubs that actually has an ale selection, and it did seem odd having the autumn seasonal (Late Red) in February, but the ale is well kept, and a pint of Kent’s Best slipped down as well. The sandwiches here are excellent – you can’t beat a ham butty. I’ve visited this place before and have previously scored it 8/10, and today’s visit confirms that score.
On 23rd February 2010
- rating: 8
[User has posted 155 recommendations about 154 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
johnny Owen left this review about The Swan Inn
Jackie Hipwell makes the best Sandwiches ever ! The Beer is excellent and well kept - mind you Jackies 25 years in the trade may have something to do with this ! Watching the Cup Final on the 60 inch Plasma TV Screen in good company made my day. My Wife who was driving enjoyed a generously iced drink and a freshly ground cup of coffee.
Jackie and her staff are a delight and we both thought 'You're stanger here but once'
On 31st May 2007
- rating: 10
[User has posted 1 recommendations about 1 pubs]