please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
I visited this pub on Saturday afternoon for the first time in 4-5 years. Knowing that the landlord had died and that it since closed and changed hands I was delighted to find it much the same as I remember it. The beer selection was excellent, with mainly local breweries represented (Mighty Oak, Crouch Vale and Red Fox). I had a Brewers Gold which was very good. The new landlord and staff were friendly and interested in what we thought.
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We went for sunday lunch a few weeks ago which was excellent,so we decided to go for lunch on Saturday for somrthing to eat before going shopping. We decided on a Ploughmans, my wife had cheese and I had ham,egg and pork pie.We have never been so disappointed with a meal.We waited a long time for the food to come out as the chef was having trouble boiling the egg, my wifes cheese ploughmans consisted of cheese, half baked baguette,a few grapes and a pot of pickle, mine was a egg, slice of ham, pork pie, baguette and pot of mustard. It was very poor value at £7.50 each. Probably wont be going back again for a while if at all,I think the other diners felt the same as they ordered ploughmans aswell.
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Re-opened 1st December 2013.
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Good heavens! If it has closed that would mean the pub I frequented back in 1969 until I went to University in 1970 has gone. I remember when it was just a bar (10' x 6') and Reg would disappear round the back to draw off a pint straight from the cask. If you wanted to use the lounge you had to give a week's notice! Sad times indeed....
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Beer festival cancelled this year.
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The Swan is now closed with no sign of opening same nice boozer good ales. suggest you try the Beckingham Bell Tolleshunt Major 1 mile away great food dogs welcome cyclists walkers etc....
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Visited this charming country pub a few days ago. We received a warm welcome, there were ten real ales available, we ate a good quality pub lunch, the portion size was excellent, the prices were more than reasonable, the atmosphere was great & it is cycle friendly. What more can I say. Miss this gem at your peril.
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Great news the annual beer festival is back on after a 2 year gap.
Begins Monday 11th June to 17th.
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New managers moved in late Summer and are hoping to make some changes for the better ibcluding a more varied menu ..meantime the pub is still on the market for 585k.
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Please note the pub opens at 4 pm on Monday and Tuesday and there is no food on Monday and Tuesday..apart from service is normal.
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I do miss the beer festival which was an annual evnt but given the circumstances I can understand the reasons why it is now cancelled but the pub is not the same without John.
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I'm very sorry to hear that. We visited just by chance one weekend about a year and a half ago and were looking forward to going back some time. We were made very welcome both times we visited even though we weren't local. My rating would have been very high at the time. Beer and cider were good but didn't try any food.
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Sad to hear that .
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The Landlord, My Father passed away in April 2010 so for all those comments that the pub has gone down hill since then there is your reason. My mother shortly followed 5 months later. The pub is up for sale and is currently under management.
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Umder new management.
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Sad to read in Julys edition of TAP that John the landlord died on the 29 th April.
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Having been to this pub several times over last 3 years, went there yesterday ( bank holiday Monday ) and am very sorry to say the pub seems to have gone downhill big time. Waited over 1 hour for a ploughmans and beef burger, despite the pub being half empty. No apologies or explanations, I can only assume there are some issues there.
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I came here in the summer of 2008 and left a pretty negative review on 14 Jul 2008. Despite the rabid MikeAllenPugh seeing the red mist (come on, it's not rendition flights or the MP expenses scandal), I stand by those comments.
Nonetheless, I made a return visit this weekend and can breathe a sigh of relief, as I experienced the pub in the same light everyone else sees it. The mild was in top form and the regulars seemed a nice enough bunch. The interior was homely and the service cheerful. Its the kind of country pub I hope to find on my travels but rarely do. Didn't try the food but it was reasonably priced and will give it a go next time.
I had a feeling my bad experiences could have been a once off, hence choosing to return. Rating upped accordingly.
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Absolute top boozer. Took a pilgrimmage last weekend and was not disappointed. A classic Choccy Box pub serving a superb range of beer, perry and cider. On the day we went (BH Monday) they were'nt officially serving food but the landlord, John, managed to rustle up sandwiches for my hungry brood - not many pubs would do the same. Can't wait to go back - next time I'll let the wife drive so I can snooze on the way back.
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Landlord Johns beers are top rated by everyone who visits his pub and the new chef is a cordon blue rated chef in his own right.
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Landlord John's efforts in this wonderful "chocolate box" pub have made him CAMRA National Pub of the Year twice! A truly wonderful place for real ale enthusiasts and the food is excellent. And yes there is an open log fire in the winter to top it off. Very few pubs in the country come close to this.
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Just a little word - wherever we go in the UK on holiday we look for a decent pub within a few miles so we can be guaranteed a good meal out & a decent pint. We very rarely find one to come anywhere close to OUR LOCAL witht he best kept ale & excellent food. Listen up & believe it : We are BLESSED to be living in the MALDON district - 1. one of the most picturesque regions of the country & largely undiscovered 2, with among the lowest crime levels in the country 3. the driest weather 4. the BEST pubs. Norfolk hasn't a single pub that has worked out how to make pubs work post smoking ban but John has. Granted, the seats could do with re-upholstering & the ceiling with a coat of paint, but there aren't many pubs you can get world class ales AND camp at or take the kids to feed the chickens, now are there?
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According to the web-site the beer festival is from 14th June to 21st June this year.. great.
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This gem has won awards that speak for themselves. My recollection of my last visit was of utter enjoyment, and I am saddened at the tone and malicious content of some of the reviews left recently. Unfortunately I do not live anywhere near close enough to make regular visits but those made by friends who have all tell the same story - top scoring in all departments - fantastically kept gravity ales, wonderful interior, friendly staff and excellent food. Don't be put off by what you have read - go and see for yourself.
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In response to the post by stoopish who wrote he left this pub 'bitterly bitterly disappointed'.
You are a disgrace and I would imagine your presence in ANY pub would make anyone feel 'bitterly, bitterly disappointed'.
This pub, or any other pub that gives so much to it's local community and offers so much to beer lovers in general, doesn't deserve such mean-spirited comments. Certain pubs may merit such a slating but definitely not this one.
Hang your head in shame
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I'm sorry to read the comments below I've always had a great time at the Swan and John is a lovely guy all I can say is you should speak to John about the bad experience you had and I'm sure he would compensate you.
I ask stoopish to visit the pub again and give it another chance why not go to the Beer Festival in June I will be there for 3 days myself and I'm sure stoopish will enjoy it.
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Went to this pub this afternoon on the rave reviews and left bitterly bitterly disappointed - both with the drink, the food and the service. The pub was grotty inside, the clientele looked like they had just wandered in from an old people's home. An equally decrepid dog lay in the corner and the landlord sat in the corner with a face of thunder. We were hungry so thought we'd try the food, and what a mistake.
A long wait - 1 hour - we were told there were 8 people ahead of us. One 'local farmer' came in, sat down and ate immediately. 'He preorders' we were told. Ok - that's alright, we don't have anything else planned but sit in a claustrophobic corner waiting.
Food arrived - Skate (which was the only saving grace of our visit, cooked well - the chef is deserving of greater things than this pub, it was very good) but the mash was like something from school
Chilli beef with rice and salad - tasted like it had just been microwaved
Sausages, mash, blatently bisto gravy and peas from a can.
Which came to around 25 pounds. Throw in 4 glasses of wine at 2.50 a pop and very average ale, and we are talking 60 odd quid for a very disappointing way to spend a lazy afternoon in Essex. Poor showing John, you seem like a nice guy. Unfortunately we won't be back.
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A traditional old country style pub. This is pretty much unchanged from how it was built. It is grade II listed building with heavy beams and low ceilings. It has an open fire place and welcoming staff & landlord. John looked after us during our stay and mentioned that the pub is still up for sale. He did however admit that if the offers are unreasonable he will employ a manager to run it.
No hand pumps are on the bar and all beer is poured directly from the casks. The available choices are listed on the blackboard to the right of the bar. All local beer available here, CAMRA's LocAle promotion is ideal for this pub. Mighty Oak Oscar Wilde, Maldon Gold & Totham Parva, Crouch Vale Brewers Gold and Amarillo, Mauldons Black Adder, Farmers Pucks Folly, Woodfordes Wherry and Adnams Best & Broadside. The pub continues to win awards since its fantastic double achievement of being twice voted National Pub of the Year in 2002 & 2005.
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Ok, after reading a review from somebody here and seeing the red mist, I had to register.
John and Val run the most FANTASTIC and a very rare type of pub. Many pubs pretend to be this and are not. They have won Essex CAMRA Pub Of The Year for more years running than any other pub I have known.
I have many years appreciation of Real Ale and you could say that I know my ale. I've only ever had one 'dodgy' pint there and that was immediately corrected by John trying it and agreeing with me immediately. It was taken off tap immediately. I have seen a couple of occasions where John would start a keg off and his 'all knowing nose' would immediately say it was wrong. John takes IMMENSE pride in his ale to the point that I would say he is the fussiest landlords that I've ever known who is determined to ensure that his customers receive the very best.
There are 365 days in a year and going there for one day and to write the pub off is, quite simply, ridiculous. If I would have done that to every pub I'd ever been in (whether it would be because of a bad pint or people in at the time) then I'd have no local and would stay indoors with a keg! The locals are wonderful- all really friendly and from the moment we walked in there. I wish I could say the same for so many pubs that I've frequented quite a few times and their reputation doesn't hold up.
We've had some great food there too so that deserves a mention.
We love the place and wished we lived nearer. My wife and I always make the effort to go there because it is so cozy and friendly and you may even get a few licks from visiting canines!
It's a gem.....I cannot say more.
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My experience of the Swan has been of excellent beer, including last weekend. Great service as always, a gem of a place.
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I understand the pub is up for sale due to the bad health of Johns wife and that Johns son is not interested in taking over which is a shame.
I would like to pay tribute to both John and Val for making the Swan a great real ale venue over the last 10 years.
I hope that who ever takes over keeps it the same as it is now for being one of the best real ale pubs in Essex.
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Noticed the recent poor review - BITE is all about honest views reflecting both our different preferences and experiences (a pub that only serves decent beer at busy weekends is not much use). I need to revisit the Swan; on my visit a couple of years back the quality was exceptional, particularly the (sorry) Greene King IPA. It's not as characterful as some, being more traditional than eccentric, but its beer quality that counts.
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Went here based on the entirely positive comments made by the people here and was looking forward to it immensely. I pray it was an off day because 3.4/10 is closer to the mark.
The good:
Very pretty building, pretty much unmolested, good comfy bench seating and jazz wafting through the pub. Service good, too.
The bad:
Oscar Wilde Mild (one of my faves at the Nags Head, Walthamstow and the Viper, Mill Green to name two random examples) was virtually undrinkable. I spied an abandoned half pint of it elsewhere. One can only afford to condemn the 'Cask Marque' if you serve beer correctly. Perhaps an off barrel, I would've tried something else, if not for the below.
The ugly:
How hard is it to mow the lawn, or get rid of the weeds, or clear away pint glasses, or empty ashtrays? A birthday party taking place also filled the pub with around half a dozen exhausting, pub-ruining, shouting, farting, drunk chavs. The fat exhausted, bright pink, Playboy bunny sporting chavmobile parked out front should�ve been a giveaway clue.
In summary:
I honestly couldn�t wait to get away, and actually drove over to the Odd One Out in Colchester just to remind myself what its like to sit in a pub with nice people and drink nice beer.
I really wanted to like this place and I�m clearly in a minority of one here. I�m expecting a flak for my opinions but, of course, if they include ad hominem personal insults, it'll just reinforce my initial impression of the place.
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@ hogshead ~ The Cask Marque sign is upside down due to John's contempt for the way that the scheme is run. His explanation to me was that everybody knows "Egon Ronay" for instance and what it stands for but ask the average Joe in the street what "Cask Marque" is and stands for and hardly anybody knows apart from real ale aficionados of course. I understand his point.
Popped in a few weeks back for the first time in over a year and as great as ever and John was of course still there. retirement? pah. :-) Can't wait until next year's Essex jaunt to visit one of England's finest yet again. 10/10.
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Just returned from the beer festival which ended on Suday..spent Friday and Saturday in my tent in the back garden.
Well done to John and Val and their son for making myself and my dog so welcome.
Noticed the cask marque upside down I wonder why.
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Definitely one of the most interesting pubs i know. Excellent beer variety presented by a very friendly staff. Almost familiar atmosphere inside as well as outside. Well prepared homemade food combined with relaxed service made this pub to a great experience during our short visit in Essex. Ten � spent for the taxiride from Maldon seemed well invested money. Looking forward to another visit when we will return for a longer holiday in the area.
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A gem of a traditional, old countryside pub half the way between Witham and Maldon in Essex, well worth the �10 taxi drive from Maldon. 12 to 14 beers on gravity dispense, including the house ale Totham Parva. There were also some interesting bottled beers. A cosy patio outside, perfect for enjoying the excellent ales in the sunshine. Serve traditional homemade pub food. Very friendly bar staff and regulars. Our party of more than 15 Norwegians received a warm welcome from an easy going landlord. The Swan in Little Totham has got several awards, among others CAMRA National pub in 2002 and again in 2005. We had a really good time here during a few hours on a sunny Saturday afternoon early in May (03.05.2008).
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Worth a visit if only for the Beer festival held in June they have a great range of beers cider and perry and Oscar Wilde.They allowed my dog in but the place is so small we sat in the front garden.One of the best real ale pubs in Essex alongside The Viper in Ingatestone.Restaurant to the left as you go in .
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This pub has to be just about the best place for real ale. The choice is extensive and they are all kept in perfect condition in a cooled tap room, no pumps on the bar, all ale is drawn from the cask. The landlord took great pride in showing us the storage facillities. Good home cooked food is available. All of this in a lovely garden setting. A must pub to visit, you will keep comming back like I do
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Visited the Swan for their recent beer festival, what a superb day, great barbecue, fantastic range of beer from mild to barley wine via a fruit beer that tasted of raspberry ice cream! Thanks to all involved.
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Ventured here on the coldest Spring Bank Holiday I can remember, more like February than the end of May. Walked from Witham believing it to be only 5 miles (not true!) but was so glad we made the effort: the owners and the locals were very welcoming and the beer was top notch (at least eight real ales in varying styles, including a mild, plus four real ciders). To top it all, not only were we fed, we were also given a lift back to Witham station by the wonderful Val (thankyou so much!), thus saving us the tortuous route march back and allowing us to savour more of the splendid ales and equally splendid company to be found in this gem of a pub. Deservedly CAMRA National Pub of the Year, I urge you to visit even if you do have to walk there! Terry
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Arrived here yesterday walking from Witham with the dog,got a bit lost and a bit wet but was so glad we made it.What a great pub.Excellent beers 8 or 9 on I think,my fave was the Oscar Wilde Mild but all were really good, plus 3 ciders and a perry-which you don't see very often.
The locals were really friendly and we had a great time,makes such a change to go somewhere as friendly as that and made to feel really welcome-something that doesn't happen in London! Thanks to everyone for looking after us so well and to Val a big 'thankyou' for taking us plus dog back to the train station.Hope to be back soon-well worth the walk! 10/10 Miles
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Paid only my second visit to this wonderful pub this afternoon. Quite simply it's everything a good rural pub should be. Quite lively with a bank holiday crowd but still quiet and relaxing. The beer selection and quality is of the highest order - I was particularly pleased to see a predominence of local brews. Also, beers sereved straight from th cask seem to taste so much fresher. I also had the pleasure of a chat with John, enjoying his retirement at the end of the bar, who's a fine bloke as is his son who's now in charge. I Think it was son's wife buzzing around with food, being very efficient and friendly. There should be more pubs like this.
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So pleased that you also enjoyed it TWG, but to be honest after reading & enjoying many of your reviews it does not surprise me in the least that you too loved it. Far from being a pontificator, you know a good pub when you see one.
I shall be back that way in june and I'm looking forward to even now, some of John's stories are both fascinating & hillarious. Anyone who visits, ask him why he has his "Cask Marque" award sign hanging upside down at the pub's entrance. I can vouch for the food TWG too, very good local produce at a fair price. Nothing fancy, wholesome pub food cooked properly as it should be.
As TWG rightly said, you will not want to leave!
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One can argue all one likes as to whether ANY pub is suitably worthy of formal accolades, be they CamRA or otherwise. Indeed, National POTY is a tall order for any outlet; absolute perfection is certainly hard to envisage especially when every punter's perspective on perfection is slightly different.
But aside from that, I would defy any seasoned pubgoer who appreciates an excellent range of extremely well-kept ales, a traditional but clean and cosy interior, a pleasant rural location, and most of all a very welcoming, warm and genuine attitude from staff, not to feel that they had struck gold here. Surely these features are the crucial tenets of satisfaction for the true honest country pub lover and aren't that hard to come by? Fortunately the first 3 can be found readily enough nationwide, but the sort of sincere and hearty reception that one should receive here is sadly not as common a feature in our pubs as it perhaps could and should be. And it is this, not even the cask ale range and quality, that really marks the Swan out from its similar counterparts. They take it for granted here, but you should not.
Mr X (below) was absolutely correct: John and Val have seemingly worked wonders over the last decade to create a truly special community local that is just as friendly to strangers as it is to regulars. When I visited I was after a while the only person in (it being 2:30 on a Monday afternoon!), yet the barmaid ensured that pleasant conversation (and beer) kept flowing. Later on, J & V appeared with just as keen a welcome, and of course Gavin their son, who I'm very happy to report is doing fantastically in maintaining all the good work his parents have put in. I wish him all the best in continuing the tradition.
I was also lucky enough to meet a few equally sociable and likeable regulars who appeared after 3 (it wasn't empty for long!), who clearly adored the place for all the right reasons. Quite simply, I felt that I had been quaffing here for a lifetime and yet I'd only known these people for 3 hours.
Those of you familiar with my postings will note that they tend to be characterised by much pontificating about beer quality. But the fact that I have focused so firmly on service and hospitality in this case should give you an indication as to how worthwhile a visit would be. In the end one can tear oneself away from most pubs, however good, but trust me, you will really struggle to do so here.
In fact, ignore everything everyone has said here including me, and let the slew of awards, local, regional and national, do the talking. They are for once pretty much on the money.
Note: no food Monday lunchtimes so I missed it, but I'd be amazed if it wasn't fantastic! Also, there is a beer festival Sat 17 to Sat 24 Feb, although frankly it is a permanent fest here anyway!
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CAMRA pub of Britain twice = Cannot go wrong!
My wife usually hates most pubs but loved it here, stayed in Essex for a week but despite the 30 mile round trip we ended up here most days. Why? Firstly the landlord John is a host of the very highest order and *all* of his staff are just as good, knowledgeable and welcoming so straight away you really want to be here. Secondly the pub itself & location are wonderful, low ceilings & large open fire. Thirdly but certainly not last on this list is the excellent collection of gravity served cask ales all in supreme condition. I tried Brewers Gold in many a pub that week but none made my eyes light up like that served here, it was awesome and the glass shone like a glass of great ale should!
John told me he is in the process of handing the pub over to his son after many years service but fear not because he is leaving this fantastic pub in safe hands. My only regret? I just wish with all my heart that the Swan was my local instead of all the dross around my area instead of it being a 400+ mile round trip. Go here when you can, you will *not* regret it but savour your memories for a long time after I assure you!
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This is a great pub and it has about eight real ales on, served direct from the barrel. The Brewers Gold could not be beaten. There is a lot of emphasis on food and this does not seem to spoil the pub too much. CAMRA National Pub of The Year? No. To win this accolade it needs to be something above the ordinary.This pub is not that.There are a few pubs in Essex that are better than this. The Viper at Mill Green And The Queens Head at Chelmsford being but two. Great pub and great beer but a bit overrated.
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Visited this marvelous Pub again today. usual excellent selection of Ales plus Five real ciders. Beer in tip-top condition, friendly welcome. a Pub whose standards all others should strive to emulate.
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This is a nice pub with well-kept beer and a friendly land lord. But I don't see how CAMRA reckons it beats places like the Fat Cat in Norwich or the Viper in Mill Green or the White Hart in Margaretting Tye?
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Quite simply the best. Good choice of beer Good food(when the restaraunt is open). Why oh why can't all pubs be like this
anonymous - 11 Dec 2005 21:54 |
Superb village Pub with welcoming Landlord and Landlady. Can't voch for the food, but it is unlikely you'll taste beer as well kept anywhere in the area aprt from the Sun Inn at Feering. Up to ten beers and three to four real Ciders. Beers include Totham Parva brewed by Mighty Oak especially for the Pub and Brewers Gold, the CBoB 2005. A must for Real Ale lovers!
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Great pub, fantastic atmosphere. The first time we went in we got a warm welcome from the landlord. The second time we went in he welcomed us like old friends. Can't fault the beer or the food either. Roaring open fire in the winter. Tables out in the garden in the summer. A bit off the beaten track - but a place you HAVE to find!
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This is a welcoming pub with a congenial landlord who knows how to keep a good pint and spends his time with the customers. Its not a big pub, but there is always a wide selection of draught bitters, mild and cider in good condition - helped, no doubt, by the amount consumed by a large clientele. Most beers are served on gravity but come up with a pleasant freshness due both skill and the high turnover. The selection on offer changes frequently and comes from all over the country.
The pub is originally small, but stretched a bit. It is old, but with modern ways - taste a drink before buying it if you want to try something new. It is still a proper village pub, near the green but tucked away and it has low beams and friendly bar staff who generally know what they are serving.
It is all that it should be, a real gem and well worth 10 out of 10.
Richard - 21 Jun 2004 22:38 |
Wonderful village pub - THE place to go for a good pint in friendly surroundings. No wonder they are building new houses in Little Totham - everyone wants to live near the Swan!
Charles - 7 Aug 2003 07:21 |
Deservedly Camra National Pub Of The Year 2003. A haven for lovers of real beer offering up to ten beers on gravity in excellent condition. Go for Mighty Oak Maldon Gold, 3.8% if you can get it - it's exquisite! Live country/Irish music performed. A spacious beer garden. A warm welcoming atmosphere is afforded by the friendly, informed and chilled-out landlord. This is amongst the best pubs in the UK, drawing ale enthusiasts from up and down the country. You will certainly be glad you came - it'd be worth getting a B&B nearby!! GO there! I have given it a 10/10 rating!
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