The Tawny Owl, Swindon - pub details
Address: Queen Elizabeth Drive, Taw Hill, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN25 1WR [map] [gmap]
Tel: 0871 951 1000 (ref 5463) - calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras
Swindon (2.7 miles)
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> Current user rating: 3.9/10 (rated by 8 users)
other pubs nearby:
Manor Farm, Swindon (0.9 miles), Woodlands Edge, Sparcells (1.0 miles), Shield and Dagger, Swindon (1.2 miles), Blundston Arms, Swindon (1.2 miles), Messenger, Swindon (1.3 miles) - see more nearby pubs
user reviews of the Tawny Owl, Swindon
please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
5 most recent reviews of 13 shown - see all reviews
| Was almost put off coming here due to the low scores and comments but on balance it is not a bad pub for a modern estate pub. Extensive menu, a little pricey perhaps but they do specials for the value hunters. Staff were friendly - we were almost 'harrassed' by a constant stream of girls coming over to see if we were alright and wanted more drinks, so the service has improved. Beers - slight downer for me as not an Arkells fan but the Wiltshire Gold was well kept and went down well. Some might say lacking in ambience but it is a modern estate type pub so it will try to cater for all. mikey64 - 24 Oct 2011 19:58 |
| Scotia001 below nails it: - "The pub attempts to be all things for all customers, and fails by trying to meet too many customer profiles." It's a typical 'IKEA Self-Assembly Pub'. Oozing with invented tradition, manufactured atmosphere, and artificial community (just like the Blunsdon Arms a mile or so away). There was never a pub on this site before 2003(ish) - it was all green fields. The designers obviously wanted the Tawny Owl to exude 'character' and that goal might have been achieved had they not decided they wanted to attract pool playing lads AND slot-machine playing oafs AND, family diners with kids AND local chaps popping in for a swifty and a read of the paper. The Tawny is ALL things to ALL customers but fails because of it. On the plus side (yes there is a plus side): - It is a large, clean, well maintained pub. I did not find the staff rude at all, but they were rather run off their feet so not much time for pleasantries. The place was busy on my mid-week lunch time visit so they must be doing something right. Food was good, hot and prompt despite only one (very efficient) lady dealing with all the covers. If they would get rid of the excessive gaming machines and odd gumball machines (in the lounge!) then this could be a very good pub indeed. Ale selection is limited but in pretty good condition. I'm not an Arkels fan but I'm sure those who are won't be disappointed. It's a fair pub. I'll go there again. griffo59 - 17 Jun 2011 20:07 |
| This pub looks okay superficially when we visited it on Saturday 18 Sept 2010, and the decor is quite nice - except for a large 'Walls Ice Cream' chest freezer, just inside the entrance and adjacent to the bar, which really lowers the tone. Unfortunatley, they employ the usual standard - apathetic bar staff, mainly young ladies - who really make it clear that they don't want to be there, and serving customers interferes with their chit chats. The table staff seemed attentive however. Summary: Pay peanuts and get moneys. The pub attempts to be all things for all customers, and fails by trying to meet too many customer profiles. There is the usual Big Screen TV area (why -groan) - a couple of small restaurant booths - a lounge area with sofas (we don't want to feel as if we're sitting in at home !!) a cramped array of table and chairs for drinkers opposite the bar, successfully creating a bottle neck by the the entrance - and finally, the ONE thing they DID get right - a family eating area (hoorah! at last). The thing that caught our attention most, and way above anything else, were the meal prices - Wow! ....... ouch !!!! I would expect to be sitting in a fairly good, and atmosphericly candle-lit restaurant to pay their asking prices. They seem to have lost sight of the fact that this is more or less just another Harvester. This is reflected by all of the ketchup and vinegar bottles on the restaurant tables (tacky). Given the poor 'ambience' and level of customer service here - the meals (which in fairness did look good) need to drop their prices by at least 40% - if not more, to compete with the number of similar establishments all within a short distance from this venue. Finally, there is an average beer garden adjacent to the car park - but their range of real ales and house wines was not bad. All in all - not a place that we'll be going back to. I can have the same (or better) for a LOT cheaper just around the corner. scotia001 - 19 Sep 2010 08:54 |
| very rude and ignorant bar staff RichT - 24 Apr 2008 16:04 |
| Food service very slow. Landlord arrogant and unwelcoming. Beer mediocre. Beer Garden would be good for summer though. geeman84 - 22 Mar 2006 18:48 |
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