Old Swan Uppers, Cookhamback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Today was my first ever visit to Cookham. The Old Swan Uppers was the solitary pub we tried in the village itself. It's a nice old building in a village that is full of character. The bar is at the front, with a dining room at the rear. Tapas appears to be a speciality. Fuller's London Pride & Brain's The Rev James are the regular ales. Guests were Butcombe Original & Black Sheep Best Bitter. Moved on from here to the Jolly Farmer at nearby Cookham Dean, which was slightly better, albeit not listed on BITE.
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Decent enough pub - now the closest to the station. Had a decent pint of Butcombe . I see what halo means about the pavements being small or non existant being a problem with ignorant and arrogant 4 x 4 drivers tearing along with no intention of stopping for anything or anyone.
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Lovely place to stop by on a stroll from Cookham rail to the river. Plenty of knicknacks to look at, low wonky beams and plenty of character, friendly vibe. I gave this pub an 8, although can't rate the real ale as I don't drink it. ... Fellow behind the bar at opening time was a nice chap, assume he was the landlord but they were very nice to us on our 2 visits in the same day. ... Like purplelizzy, I knew nothing about swan-upping until I visited this pub, now I certainly do! (Word of warning, don't get staggering pissed here, the pavements outside are single-file, so if you fall in the street you will get mown down by an SUV by some posh snob from Cookham driving too fast down the narrow road. Or if you make it to the river, likely to fall in there too! ... So mind your jars if you don't want to be buried in the nearby 15th century church cemetery).
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Very nice, friendly, traditional pub and lots of info about swan upping.
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This place has changed hands a couple of times since Statto's comment below. Generally four or five well kept ales from the likes of Sharps, Adnams or Fullers. Great old interior, with a wood burner in the front bar and low timbered ceilings.
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The new landlord here has a real attitude problem.
I was served a pint which wasn't right. When I complained to the landlord he got very defensive and said he was "sick of people complaining about his beer when they know jack sh*t". Maybe he'd had a bad day, but it's not the way to speak to customers.
It's a shame as it's a lovely pub apart from him, and the week before the pint I had there was excellent. I won't be back.
anonymous - 27 Sep 2009 20:17 |
A simply lovely historic place, old gnarled timber beams and posts support the very low ceiling in the bar area, two inglenook fireplaces including an old wood burning stove, stone flagged floor, old leaded windows, hops wound around the bar, just gorgeous. Seating comprises upholstered wooden benches and settles, plus stools, cribbage board and shove h'penny board available, a few books on a shelf although one is entilted "Memories of Slough".....John Betjamen not a former patron then?
A rear room was set for dining, bench style seating to the front also.
Point to note.......if you need the gents its called "Cobs".
As for the name, it seems "Swan Upping" relates to the annual census of the Mute Swan population on various upper reaches of The Thames, a ritual since the 1200's.
The beer.... 5 on handpump, Pride, Bombardier, GK IPA, Doom Bar, and Brakspears Bitter. Hmm, could be better and a lovely pub like this could have gained a top range rating with a better range plus a local guest. I would however comment that my pint was brim full with no need to request or argue a top up. �2.85 for Doombar is ok to me for here.
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We went for a day trip to Cookham and were originally planning to visit one of the 'Upmarket' hostelries in the village (Crown,Bel and the Dragon) but were enticed by the sign outside this place 'Real pub, Real Ale, Real food�
That�s exactly what we got, a lovely traditional country pub, beams, fireplaces, Tankards and horse brasses.
Friendly welcome, great atmosphere and good hearty pub grub (probably the best pub lunch we�ve had in a long time) Great value for money as well, will definitely visit again next time we�re over that way and would recommend to anybody
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Good friendly pub with flagstone floors. Friendly landlord and locals. Great walkers stop. Good beer. Reasonably priced food. Slightly away from the old tourist Cookham.
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Well kept beer,friendly and welcoming locals and an old school landlord what more could you want
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doom bar in good order,sank two pints,service friendly,very very quiet,only one other customer
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Nice and newly refitted and a great old place to drink at. Friendly locals and a great environment!
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Friendly local pub excellent home cooked food and happy atmosphere
Hannah - 20 Apr 2005 13:28 |
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