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The Old Swan, Atherstone

175 Long Street
Atherstone
CV9 1AH
Phone: 01827712523

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Pub Type

Tenanted (Marstons)

Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) Add Review see review guidelines


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Will Larter left this review about The Old Swan

This is a nice old pub with a long front bar room, characterised by crooked beams and pillars, and what seemed to be a smarter and smaller lounge to the rear, with its own stretch of bar counter. While exploring a little on my way to and from the toilets I found a hatch which I imagine would have been for off sales and a dining room to the side. This pub doesn't seem to have made it onto Camra's inventory of pubs with interiors of historic interest, though it looked pretty interesting to me. Just one beer on as far as I could see - if there was a further set of hand pumps in the lounge there was no suggestion that they were serving any more than the one beer that was on in the front bar. But I'm not complaining because it was a very well kept Banks's Amber, in tip top condition and with a lovely bitter finish. The man behind the bar, who I took to be the licensee, was surprised to be told that WhatPub had the pub as closed from 3pm to 7pm each weekday – it was 3.45pm as we were speaking; in fact it is open from noon to 11pm, which correction I notified to Camra. If I found myself back in Atherstone I would certainly make a trip to this one again, especially now I know it's likely to be open. And the beer is good.

On 23rd May 2022 - rating: 7
[User has posted 3700 recommendations about 3439 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


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

Attractive old pub with half-timbered front and side elevations to the main building, with a plainer extension set perpendicularly at the back. Retains a relatively unspoilt interior featuring a very traditional bar at the front and a more comfortable lounge at the back of the central servery. An unusual feature of the former is the peripheral bench seating at the fireplace end which has a big gap between the horizontal and vertical padded elements, so goodness knows what gets lost down the back of that! There is also a dining room of to one side, but it's not clear whether this is in regular use. Not much doing on the beer front, with just Banks's Amber and Mild (£2.85, although this is was in good shape) available from the various handpumps on different parts of the counter. However, it's an interesting place and still worth a visit if in the area.

On 17th August 2019 - rating: 7
[User has posted 8066 recommendations about 8066 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


peter ashworth left this review about The Old Swan

Cannot add much to the last 3 detailed reviews and agree with all the comments even the decent pint of MILD.found the pub welcoming with a friendly barmaid and and helpful locals

On 22nd February 2018 - no rating submitted
[User has posted 2318 recommendations about 2275 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Alan Winfield left this review about The Old Swan

The Old Swan is a nice looking black and white pub.
Once inside i went into the bar which is at the the front of the pub,this was a decent sized room which is oblong in shape with the bar facing,the seating was comfy bench type and chairs,there was a TV on which was showing motor racing.
There is a smaller square shaped lounge to the rear which looked very smart,there is also a small room to the front right.
The pub is a Banks's tied house,there were three real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Banks's Mild which went down very well,the other beers were Banks's Bitter and Marstons EPA.
This is a proper old school pub that i quite enjoyed having a drink in.

Pub visited 25/10/2014

On 25th October 2014 - rating: 8
[User has posted 6113 recommendations about 6113 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Soup Dragon left this review about The Old Swan

This is a large detached Banks's corner pub. The pub is larger than it initially appears, as the wonderful Tudor timber-framed section, built on a stone plinth and with projecting upper storey, is just part of the building. A white rendered front facing gable end, also with projecting upper level stands to the side and there is a white rendered rear section. All windows are in Tudor style. It looks great and worth a pint for that alone.

The interior has at least three rooms. The front door takes you into a bar/lounge, with the wood panelled serving bar facing you. The decor has white walls, with white and beam ceiling and a red tile floor. It is mainly a bar, but there is a nicer seating area in the corner. There are red perimeter seats and stool and there are a couple of brick fireplaces, one at each end. The TV wasn't on and there was some soft general background music. Old photos and prints are on the walls, but there is also a more obvious collection of plates on the walls, celebrating the local coal industry, now gone. There is also a dart board. The same bar serves a small lounge at the back, which is in white, with white and beam ceiling, green seats and curtains and has a small tiled fireplace. There is also a room marked 'restaurant' served from the corridor that leads from the bar to the car-park. This room appeared to be in cream and wood panel with pictures on the walls, but was closed when i visited. The service was very good and there were a few mature locals in.

Beer; usual tap sruff with Banks's Bitter and a decent MILD on handpull

Summing-up, well, a great exterior, a nice traditional interior, friendly and good beer. If I had to be picky, a guest ale would be nice. One I definitely would return to.

On 22nd March 2012 - no rating submitted
[User has posted 3067 recommendations about 3062 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Bucking Fastard left this review about The Old Swan

A wonderful wood framed exterior ,this must be one of the oldest building in town and I would guess Tudor.The steep front steps lead to the public bar on the left and a lounge area to the right.The public bar is interesting with a dart board above the fireplace housing a gas affect fire,while above the bar are plates commemorating the collieries of the North Warwickshire coalfield now all closed.The dates of opening and closing are noted on each plate and is somewhat sobering,although the town does appear to have recovered from this loss of industry.
There is also a back lounge reached from the car park but this was closed on my midweek visit.
There was a friendly welcome and two ales available in Bank's Original(Mild) and Bitter at £2.60 .A local radio station provided the musak,and there was no sign of food.The exterior was more memorable`than the interior ,but locals make good use of it.

On 3rd May 2011 - rating: 6
[User has posted 2709 recommendations about 2709 pubs]