The Swan, Milton Keynes

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Blackthorn _ left this review about The Swan

A traditional old boozer and the only one in Old Stratford compared to the dozen or so just down the road in Stony Stratford. To be quite honest it looks a bit run down and really doesn’t appeal that much from the outside. Things don’t get much better when you first go in – the original door at the centre of the bar has been boarded up, and you now enter through a rather dilapidated wooden door in to a hallway area, with the toilets off to one side and a portable gas fire on the other. If you persevere though, you’ll be pleasantly surprised when you do get in to the actual bar. There is also a patio and a beer garden around the back.

It’s a single room, L-shape pub with a traditional feel to it and red patterned carpet on the floor which is a pleasant change in these days of ubiquitous bare boards. The paintwork on the walls is a deep red colour, and there is some wood panelling on the lower part of the walls. There are dozens of old china mugs hanging from the ceiling and various pictures and framed bank notes dotted around the walls. A dart board was around the corner at one end and there was a plasma screen showing the football which I felt rather dominated in an otherwise rather quiet pub. A large brick built chimney was in one corner, and the bar counter was clad with unusual red leather panelling.

Beers on tap were just Greene King IPA and Bombardier and there was no cider at all. Despite it’s shortcomings, I actually quite liked this pub. It’s a traditional old boozer but cosier than many other rough and ready places and the landlord was a congenial chap. They just need to get some (decent) cider on!

On 16^th February 2012 - rating: 7
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