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Detail Pages
White Swan, Cambridge
Cambridge
CB1 2AZ
Pub Type
Greene KingReviews (Current Rating Average: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Steve C left this review about White Swan
Having missed the first pub of the day on a recent Pubs Galore Friday crawl of Cambridge I decided to make it the last pub of the day. Alongside the premium and craft keg I was surprised to see only GK IPA, TT Landlord and St Austell’s Tribute available on the three hand pumps. I was even more surprised to find muted televisions airing Rotherham v Plymouth Championship football whilst music played in the background. A real head scratcher. I then realised that I had wandered into the White Swan rather than the Devonshire.
The interior is U-shaped with a central L-shaped bar counter. High tables run across the front and a long seating area runs up the left to a dartboard on the rear wall. More seating is found in the bar area to the right. The service was friendly and I enjoyed a refreshing pint of lager after a day on the ale, but there are lots of outstanding pubs around here so I’ll probably not return.
On 12th April 2024
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5249 recommendations about 5217 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about White Swan
A corner pub on the main road, well described by Malden Man, below. I’d add that there is a dartboard on the short side and multiple TV screens were showing association football. The Irish theme continues with various allegedly Irish dishes advertised. The foreign barman took a very long time to respond to a request for service and was highly unengaging – he would have made a good extra in a zombie film. Ales on were Tribute, Oakham’s Scarlet Macaw and GK IPA. I had the Macaw which was in reasonable condition but unexciting. Worth dropping in if passing.
On 25th February 2020
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3285 recommendations about 3250 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about White Swan
Situated on the busy and vibrant Mill Road, the pub is larger than it initially looks from outside. Central bar which effectively splits the pub into two halves, the left side returns considerably further than that on the right and eventually leads to a walled garden. A distinct Irish slant with GAA sports on TV as well as rugby advertised, whiskey mirrors and a row of framed Guinness advertisements. The food specials slate had Irish Stew for £4.95, sounds a good deal. Table menus offered regular pub food.
Boarded floors, the longer side with a short sloping section, high tables towards the front, regular style elsewhere. There is a sort of disabled toilet, big enough but short on the rails.
The longer side has an open vaulted ceiling with a large Bakelite radio perched on one flat beam, old hardback books on a pair of shelves plus the usual B&W framed local scenes. A used fireplace has a nice mirror over inscribed with the pub name, the light and dark green decor adds to the overall theme. Daily papers in a rack.
Four on, GK IPA, Wadworth's Dirty Rucker, St Austell Liquid Sunshine and Tim Taylor's Knowle Spring.
It is an ok pub, it doesn't stand out around here as the area is full of destination pubs but it is a decent spot and if moved lock stock etc to an area without such competition it certainly would stand out.
On 2nd July 2017
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1708 recommendations about 1681 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
A B left this review about The White Swan
The White Swan (aka dirty duck) is a legendary pub amongst Cambridge-ites, partly because its right in the middle of the Mill Road pub district, but mainly because it stays open to 2am. Its a bit spit and sawdust, but when everywhere else is shut, it does the job.
On 17th May 2013
- rating: 6
[User has posted 27 recommendations about 26 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about The White Swan
Spacious corner Green King pub on Mill Road, opposite the Devonshire.
Thought of having a quick one on route to the Kingston Arms, but only one guest ale on in the shape of TT Landlord and the incumbent clientele watching the available screens seemed a bit agricultural, so didn’t bother.
On 2nd June 2012
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2110 recommendations about 1992 pubs]