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Cambridge PuG Crawl, Friday 5th April 2024 with Mobyduck on the Pub Forum

The Swan, W2

66 Bayswater Road
W2
W2 3PH

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Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6 of 10) Add Review see review guidelines


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Steve of N21 left this review about The Swan

This is a sizeable Fullers pub on the busy Bayswater Road and we had a good visit to this one. I know it’s not to the pubs long term benefit but the lack of hoards of tourists in London at the moment is making visits to pubs such as this one much more pleasurable experience and not being overrun the service levels we encountered from the bar staff team was very good indeed.
There’s a nice outside front terrace with a view of the park opposite and then a large ground floor U shaped space around the central bar serving area. The toilets and an additional dining / function room is then up a staircase to the right.
A main bank of six ale pumps which had the usual Fullers Pride, Olivers Island and ESB alongside the seasonal Jack Frost and Darkstar APA with Oxford Brewery Trinity as a guest ale on the final pump. And then further banks of chrome taps had a decent selection of modern craft beers alongside the usual options.
The two Fullers offerings I tried were in decent enough nick. I’ll always try the Mitre round the corner first, but wouldn’t hesitate to try this one out again on this showing.

On 17th December 2021 - rating: 7
[User has posted 2094 recommendations about 1985 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Tris C left this review about The Swan

The reviews below still seem to be accurate, other than that the colour scheme has changed with the Anaglypta walls now white with dark green detailing elsewhere, along with some vestigial etched glass details.
Unsurprisingly given the location, it's very popular with the tourists as they gaze out over the virtual motorway that is Bayswater Road.
Live music was playing on our Saturday visit with a solitary musician on electric guitar doing his best to pull off Bob Marley, figuratively speaking. However, so great was the volume from the chanteur that I had virtually to shout to order my drink.
Ales comprised the usual dull Fuller's offerings, so naturally I plumped for the guest which on this occasion was Dark Star's Partridge at £2.45 the half and very dull. Needless to say, I don't envisage a revisit, especially given that the vastly superior Mitre is just around the corner.

On 9th February 2020 - rating: 4
[User has posted 1955 recommendations about 1922 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Robin Baldwin left this review about The Swan

I used to frequent this pub in the evening, and have four beers at the most - not heavy drinking. After a long day in the office, it was relaxing to hear a man playing the piano in the rear bar. It was mainly frequented by tourists with the exception of two Dutch sailors. I ended up often talking to them over my beer, as tourists came and went. This was good for a few months, until one evening, they told me I was not a regular, and was unwelcome in the pub. This I resented - they were the only other regulars, I was always well behaved, and any complaints should be put to management. I continued to go there the occasional evening, and stay alone. After a short period, they animosity of them being there got to me. That was that! it is a shame, as so many central London pubs i have frequented have been so welcoming. I will review others, and apologise for any pessimism. Thanks...

On 7th May 2017 - rating: 6
[User has posted 7 recommendations about 7 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Philip Carter left this review about The Swan

Not sure what to make of this pub. Nice decor, dark wood and dark red wallpaper. Has an upstairs area that can be booked. As with all Fullers pubs, there own ales are kings. The staff are friendly. I can't think of anything to fault it. One good touch, it has an outside seating area at the front and a large TV inside the front window facing out, probably very popular during sporting occasions. Food seemed to be served all day, well at least up to 4.30 when I was there.

On 23rd June 2016 - rating: 6
[User has posted 757 recommendations about 720 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Old Boots left this review about The Swan

I first visited here about 25 years ago but found it a little disappointing on this visit. The location on Bayswater Road makes it something of a tourist trap. Inside it's vanilla old pub but with rather poor beer and service.

On 12th June 2016 - no rating submitted
[User has posted 3209 recommendations about 2920 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Quinno _ left this review about The Swan

Fuller's pub overlooking the northern side of Hyde Park. Attractive exterior which includes a balcony and picked glass Victorian style street lamps. V-shaped interior, island bar and an elevated rear room. A fair bit of character including wood panelling, over-painted burgundy embossed wallpaper and a rear skylight. Four pumps with all in use; ESB (good), Pride, Front Row (flat lining and taken back but not off) and Olivers Island (slightly below-par). Expect OTT Fuller’s pricing. Overall, better than the usual Fuller's and worth putting it on the long-list of Zone 1 boozers you should tick off.

On 22nd March 2016 - rating: 7
[User has posted 5043 recommendations about 5026 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Steve C left this review about The Swan

The interior of the Swan consists of seating and standing room at the front of the pub and more seating down the right hand side. The bar is L shaped with a glass serving cabinet to the left. I counted four hand pumps that were drawing Fuller’s beers and some standard draught offerings. During my visit on a recent Thursday evening this pub was packed inside and was busy in the front picnic lined beer garden. Many were wearing dinner jackets so there must have been a do in one of the surrounding hotels.

I like the Fullers experience so I would have no problem returning.

On 29th April 2015 - rating: 7
[User has posted 5179 recommendations about 5148 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Swan

This old coaching inn on the north side of Hyde Park is now a Fullers house. The unusual frontage provides an impressive balcony covering most of the front patio seating. The interior has been partially opened out to leave a split-level island bar. Also has an upstairs dining area. Traditional furniture and decor throughout. The of four handpumps in operation, with Pride, Seafarers and ESB (£4.05) available. Worth a visit if in the area.

On 14th December 2013 - rating: 7
[User has posted 8061 recommendations about 8061 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Rex Rattus left this review about The Swan

Young's Special and London Pride on – Pride at £3 a pint is the going rate for this area I suppose. This is a big old pub next to Hyde Park. It has a great location, but in my opinion not much in the way of character. However it seems to serve its main purpose, apparently as a tourist restaurant. There was a rather pervasive smell of fish and chips when I was in. I suppose as pub it's OK-ish, but I can't see much reason to return.

On 29th October 2008 - rating: 4
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]