please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Closed and being converted to a tapas bar according to a note in the window.
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My wife had her works Christmas lunch here and the main course of turkey was dry as old harry. Most of the vegetables were hard and not properly cooked Only one small roll served with a large blob of pate for the starter.
Wont go back there in a hurry
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Me and my girlfriend went in last night, the atmosphere was good, however we are somewhat sceptical about the glasses of "Pinot Grigio" that we were served with. We paid nearly �14 for two big glasses of said plonk, but we both felt it was probably Chardonnay, can't be entirely sure so we'll do another review sometime soon (watch out!!!) but not impressed - and we know our Pinot from our Sauvignon Blanc (snotty as that sounds...)
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The Swan is now under new management, and we were told that this was after the previous landlord ran it into the ground.
My partner and I popped in there for a quick drink a week or so ago on a Sunday evening and found the staff to be pleasant and friendly.
The menu looked really good, with plenty of weekday offers. Not eaten there yet, but are heading there for lunch any minute.
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When I arrived at the B&B and saw my room, I was shocked to see that the bed had not yet been made (although the landlord was expecting me at that time) and that there were brown stains all over the mattress. The rest of the room was also dirty, especially in the corners, so much so that I did not want to put my belongings on the floor, the bed, the chair or anywhere in the room.
In fact, the room was in such a poor condition that I asked the landlord later that day whether I could have my money back, as I decided that I could not bear to sleep in that bed and would prefer to stay in another hotel. He refused point blank to give me a refund, despite my concerns about the room.
Furthermore, I was very alarmed by the landlord's behaviour towards me and his general demeanour. He was unashamedly lewd, asking me whether I had a boyfriend and making entirely unprovoked suggestive comments.
I would most certainly not recommend this institution to anyone.
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Went in here on Saturday after visiting Bicester Village. The pub is set in the picturesque 'villagey' part of Bicester. Parking is difficult. The interior has been spoilt, with only the grand fireplace remaining from the original building. Brakspear Bitter was available alongside Addlestones Cider.
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Thankfully closed down. The manager in there can go back to his obvious employment as a doorman. this time he can take his fireplace with him and stick it up his arse. Poncey place full of poncey people with a manager who retains that doorman mentality we know and love from our childhood days spent getting denied access to nightclubs and has all the heirs and graces of a smack in the mouth.
snert - 26 Feb 2009 19:42 |
I have tried to book a double room for B&B with this hotel for a month from now, however they insisted that the only way payment can be made is by credit card. Not everybody has one. I could have sent a cheque which would have cleared long before the booking date, however the Almond Tree Hotel, Murdock Road did accommodate. Although they did say that a credit card is normally required for security, a booking so far in advance would be safely covered by cheque.
You need to think about changing your policy.
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Maybe The Cider Monster (clearly another local!) has a point. Yes, as a pub in the purest sense I agree that it's perhaps lost a bit of it's character but these days one needs to take an overall view and judge places not only by range of beers but food, ambiance etc..etc..I stand by my 9/10 rating
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The best pub in the town center by a mile!!!
Great wine list,good food, and an excellent atmosphere on a fri/sat night. No sign of teenagers drinking cheap alcopops (like every other pub in the town). Get there early enough and bag yourself a table and spend the night chilling out over a nice bottle of chablis.
anonymous - 28 Sep 2006 19:12 |
The bar manager is a real idiot with a "doorman mentality". Not a bad place. Needs a better seating arrangement as it gets too crowded on the busy pub nights. Food is good but expensive; but then you pay for quality. Has a few rooms for b&b which aren't bad. Staff get a bit lost on busy nights. Bit of a poncey wine bar feel about the place. Beer is good but again, expensive. I don't go in there any more after several disagreements with the manager over silly things, and no I hadn't had anythign to drink. Whatever you do, don't rearrange the tables or touch the fireplace , else your incur the wrath of the bar manager.
anonymous - 26 Sep 2006 15:37 |
I do not agree with the previous posters, I believe that the pub was much better before the refurbishment. Like so many it has lost its charm. Do yourselves a favour and walk past and into the Six Bells next door which is a real old fashioned local - the type we need to support before they old disappear.
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Best pub in a town by a mile. probably the only pub in bicester where you don't need to clean your seat before using it.
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Lovely blend of old & new. Gastro-pub style is nicely worked. The Brakspear beer is very well kept & the food menu looks good. friendly & efficient service
Excellent refuge from the hideous Bicester Village Shopping Centre ( if that is where you have been marooned with eager-spend family ) - don't bother looking any further into town because the rest of the pubs are pretty mediocre
mally - 29 Mar 2005 22:12 |
This is an gem in a town of other usless pubs! On a visit to nearby Bicester Village we decided to go to the town for some lunch. From the outside this pub looks pretty non-descript but once u step inside amazing....all wooden with leather sofa's! There is an excellent selection of wine and my Sandwich was amazing. Will definatley visit again if passing.
anonymous - 15 Mar 2005 13:30 |
As a local I have to say that this is an ugly duckling which has become a genuine 'Swan'!! Years ago this place had the reputation for being a 'spit and sawdust' palace to the extent that I hadn't been in there for 10 or more years. I was recently taken out for lunch by a business acquaintance and couldn't believe the transformation. 9/10 - always room for improvement!
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A lovely old coaching inn that has recently been refurbished, widely known for its excellent range of beers and real cider. The refurbishment looks good (all golden wood and chocolate leather) but there's now a heavy emphasis on expensive food and wine. Most tables are reserved for diners even when they haven't arrived, so it's hard for the humble beer drinkers to find a place to park after a hard day at work. Probably still the best beer and nicest pub in Bicester, although the toilets are tiny and don't appear to have been tarted up at all. Haven't tried the food, but it's a gastropub type menu. Classy but somehow a little less soul than the old Yorkshire puds filled with stew.
Kathryn - 8 Jul 2004 16:09 |
