Swan Inn, Rowberrowback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Perhaps not my first ever appearance here, but certainly one of only two in many years, was made last Monday while taking a leisurely and not-at-all well-earned trawl through some of North Somerset's finest. Sadly I didn't have the time to explore the hidden delights of the local area as hinted at by the previous reviewer, but I did manage a quick 'alf at the Swan. An old pub although one which has been extensively modernised, it is a rambling interior which yields plenty of space for what I imagine would be a raft of families wishing to dine here on a busier shift (I didn't arrive till after 2 and things had definitely quietened down). I daresay food is worthwhile; menus looked enticing enough but alas I'd already filled up beyond what was required at the nearby Plume of Feathers in Rickford. Maybe another time.
Beer-wise, it's Butcombe-tastic, as one might expect. A nicely-conditioned, if ever-so-slightly warm (it was an unexpectedly hot day) half of Gold came my way, with efficient service from the barmaid, and slipped down easily. I sat outdoors owing to the clement weather and noted the extra car capacity across the road, which somehow manages not to totally ruin the rather pleasant patch of green space and adjacent pond. If this weather persists it will be full and the pub empty!
Chalk this up as perhaps not as essential a stop-off as some of its competitors (e.g. the Hunters Lodge at Priddy, the Plume at Rickford, Ring 'o Bells at Hinton Blewitt and of course the exquisite Crown at Churchill), but certainly one to add to the list of possibles when the opportunity next arises.
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Interesting old pub guaranteed to set the mood for the delights of the fascinating surroundings of Rowberrow, one of Somerset's jewels steeped in history. The full car park left one in no doubt as to the pubs excellent service, but don't worry there is still plenty of space just across the road. An extensive menu and an obliging staff, thank you again for your considerate service and lovely meal, Sandra and Tony
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Been to this pub twice now and both times the service was poor. The first time was not so bad. Staff are civil at best and the vegetable serving was meagre along with a bloody roast beef serving that was far too rare for most tastes. Second visit was on mothers day, I did not want to go to this pub again but family did so I relented. We were firstly faced with an overinflated menu where you had no choice but to spend a minimum of �15. Secondly our food took over an hour to be served from the time we ordered it and this was only after we complained about the waiting time. The plates were ridiculously hot, and with children in our party it would have been nice to have been warned about this. I spoke to the manager about my disappointment with the service and his attitude was one of 'I couldent care less'. Don't go there! They have no high chairs, no nappy changing facilities either.
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My experiences were very different to the previous posters. I found all the staff to be very friendly, and the level of service was what I would expect in a pub, which is what it is, not a restaurant. You are supposed to order your food at the bar, and it says this on the menu.
It�s a tucked away pub, but only a minute�s drive from the A38 and well worth seeking out. This is a traditional country pub with all the entrapments you would expect, albeit with a strong emphasis on food. Perhaps not quite the same atmosphere as some of the better pubs around, but it�s a still a very decent establishment and all the staff seemed very friendly. Beer choice is slightly uninspiring with just Butcombe, Butcombe Gold (it�s a Butcombe pub!) and Osset Brewery�s Silver King as a guest.
Largeish L shaped lounge/restaurant, and a separate bar area which seemed quite lively on a recent Saturday night. Extensive menu plus a specials board with another half a dozen dishes on. Reasonably priced and very generous portions.
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We visited this pub for food, booked a table over the phone and that was the best service we got from them. I have a list of complaints from this pub which I will certainly never be using again for any meeting places.
1.Came in, said that I had booked a table, and the staff just pointed that the table was "over there"
2.Sat for half an hour, not one of the staff came over to ask if we wanted drinks.
3. Bought drinks, which were overpriced and didnt find mine tasted that good
4. After sitting a while longer, not one of the staff came over to give us a menu, we had to get our own
5. Chose what we wanted, again staff didnt even come over to take an order
6. Ordered our food which was like the drinks overpriced, �18 for steak which came with next to nothing, not even a hint of mushrooms
7. Food was ok, nothing better than a chain pub, not warranting there prices.
8. Food was served on the basis of last ordered first served
9. Some dishes were wrong and it was a simple case of "like it or lump it, your eating it"
10. Locals came in, and then had the joy of overhearing the locals take the mick out of us, fair enough its there pub, but then the bar staff joined in, now I am not being funny, but when I am paying for a service I expect the same respect I give to other people.
11. Most of the staff were rude and very obnoxious, I didnt even feel obliged to leave a tip, lots of fake smiles and very patronising towards there clientelle
12. Also nothing like the smell of chlorine coming from the kitchen whilst you know your food is being cooked, and your waiting for your meal
All in all an awfull little, with rude staff, over priced food, over priced drinks, a great place to leave feeling empty and ridiculed, I will not be recommending this pub to anyone, I will not be using this pub for any more meets I do around that area, if I could and the people who were with me could aswell, we would happily leave a lower than zero rating.
I only rated it zero because the pub as a building was nice building and the interior was lovely,
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Nice little country pub off the beaten track and a good pint of blindman's "buff" when called by, 8/10
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Popped in here briefly after a walk around Rowberrow/Black Down. It's a very cosy, and seemingly friendly Butcombe pub. It's been decorated to look like a very old wooden-beam pub, but closer scrutiny shows that it's more modern than it pretends - I noticed a few RSJs clad in black wood!
That shouldn't really detract from the fact that it is a lovely place with a jovial pub dog, smiling, friendly bar staff and a nice selection of beers - mostly Butcombe (original, Gold & Blonde), but at least one local guest ale, plus the standard lagers (Fosters, 1664 etc.) Didn't try the food but the menu looked tasty and varied.
Overall, a great pub from what we experienced of it, and plenty of the Shipham locals were there or walking to the place as we were leaving, so it can't be bad at all!
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