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Detail Pages
The Swan, Reading
Pangbourne
Postal town: Reading
RG8 7DU
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 5½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Swan
A revisit just after Christmas saw a good selection of ale but a very hit-and-miss affair on the quality front. The barmaid promptly called last orders just after 10pm after serving four people in a row, despite the place being advertised as open until 11. So that's knocked the lustre off a bit.
October 2014
After a massive (and impressive) tarting-up operation the new look Swan is impressive. Interior is nicely lit. Obviously foody but plenty of seating spaces for just drinking. Log fire to far left. Toilets very nice. Friendly service. The ale range has got better, with GK seasonals appearing and, shockingly, proper guests at reasonably fair prices for this part of the world. Also a proper cider (Tutts Clump) and BrewDog on keg. Worth a stop now.
May 2011
Large rambling riverside pub clearly trading on its location - the prices are high, the Greene King ale (usually IPA, Abbot and a seasonal) is marked up compared to the other two GK outlets in town though at least the quality is generally OK. Apparently has Aspells cider on keg, which is a bonus. The food doesn't look like much to write home about given the prices. Basically, it’s all about the view…
On 22nd April 2017
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 5099 recommendations about 5082 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Swan
A fine old building on the banks of The Thames,it's food orientation is clear as soon as you enter with strong ,and not unpleasant,cooking smells wafting around.The interior has lots of nooks and crannies,and several discrete sections ,to the left of the entrance is a lower room called The Bunker with a small boardroom table,and chairs for 10,I guess you could hire this for a private function.The furniture throughout is classic wooden and traditional and no tables are set aside for dining ,which also means that if you just want to drink,you may find the next table is full of diners ,some with children.You have to wind around the large interior to get to the bar where on my trip the real ale choice was GK IPA,Red Squirrel Hopfest,Trumans Runner and Rio Gold,and a decent Windsor & Eton Guardsman (£4).Outside there is a wooden terrace along the riverside giving great views of the boating traffic.There are mooring for two cruisers or a single narrowboat,but I expect a smoky chimney wouldn't be appreciated by the diners !
The ale range mark this out as a place to visit when in Pangborne but there is a chain vibe here.There is a young enthusiastic serving team ,but quick to accost you enquiring if you were dining.They seemingly had also chosen the muzak track,totally inappropriate rave music which might have been fine if you had just dropped some E ,but out of keeping at this location.
Interesting interior but overall it could be a lot better, food will always dominate.
On 7th August 2016
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about The Swan
The Swan at Pangbourne is an 18th century in with an idyllic setting just above the weir on the River Thames. Nice oak beamed interior laid out into several seating areas mainly set up for dining. But the best thing about the pub is the large outside table area adjacent to the Thames, which is a great place for a riverside pint.
It’s a GK house so the beer choice is limited and on the couple of occasions I have visited the OSH and IPA have been OK but nothing special.
It is set up for food, but have never eaten here, mainly due to the above average prices.
The pub car park is very small for the size and location of the pub, so better to use the public car parks nearby and walk.
On 9th February 2010
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2111 recommendations about 1992 pubs]