Swan Inn, Fradley Junctionback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
nice location good food but please get the chimney swept could hardly breath!!
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We have recently visited The Swan at Fradley Junction, nr Alrewas and have been there many times before, however, even though on other occasions I have not found the Staff overly friendly I did not think it was worth complaining about. My husband, my son and I went along on Bank Holiday Monday 2nd May 2011 and the one barmaid was extremely abrupt when we asked if we could close the door because of the draught and informed us that it would have to be opened again if it got busy, in a tone that was not "customer comes first"...When a seat became available outside we went out to sit inside and quite frankly to get away from the miserable atmosphere in there.
We decided to have one more drink as this is the only pub on this stretch of the canal, so they have the monopoly on the market there. So I went into the Pub and asked for a large glass of wine thinking I had had a small one before because it was only 175ml whereas most places class large as 250ml. I was informed that "not here it isn't" by the lady who was supposedly the owners wife....she was no more friendly than her frosty barmaid even though I asked her to provide me with a smile with the over priced drinks...I didn't say that to her though just the smile request...
When I went outside I mentioned my experience to my husband and a local man over heard and said " you aren't the first to say that.." when I commented on how unfriendly they were....he said that one lady who asked the barmaid to smile was informed she didn't have to...
I have read your other reviews and it sounds like they had a better experience than we did. Perhaps the Swan staff need to realise that people can't afford to eat/drink out that much anymore and it would be nice if when we do (on those rare occasions) we had a friendly reception.
PS have just noticed someone saying they had similar experience as me...so not just me...the Management of this pub needs informing.
The 1 rating for the pub is for the location only!!!!
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This pub is in a great location next to the canal. We popped in one Thursday to find an acoustic music session in full force. The atmosphere was great. The only downside was that there was only one red wine available and unfortunately it was, to say the least, dissappointing.
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A group us us called in the other evening and I had the Black Sheep ale. Really good as were the bar staff. All the chairs and tables out the front were taken but we found some unoccupied ones secreted out the back. Terrific location alongside the canals. Quite a few motorcyclists. The place had a nice atmosphere.
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We've been popping into this lovely pub for the last 6 months about once a month but today was the first time on a Sunday and so we tried out the carvery lunch. Good move! For �9 you get a lovely lunch, ample portions of meat (I actually declined the offer of more) and all the vegetables and potatoes etc that you can get on your plate. There was a good range of veg and all were cooked to perfection; no soggy swill! You also get a pudding and I tried the rhubarb crumble which was superb and a coffee or tea. All in all a good meal and having eaten during the week on previous visits I can say hand on heart that the food is always good.
Service was good from the bar and kitchen staff and the owners were friendly and chatty and most welcoming.
My partner tells me the ale is good and as a cider drinker I can recommend the range of bottled cider and in particular the Black Dragon.
The toilets are clean, always a plus for me.
I like this pub which is why we keep returning. It has a friendly atmosphere, the locals are always willing to engage in a chat and there was a roaring log fire going today. It's a proper pub not some concept themed establishment .
In the warmer months nothing can beat sitting outside with a pint watching the boats and the ducks and the walkers going about their business. Worth a visit if you like to sit back, relax and enjoy your drink and food.
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I have known this pub for many years mainly from the late 70tys on the bikes then in a fit of nostalgia 5 years ago i went back and decided that i would not go there again after the very poor reception, just recently i was on a walk and went in again just for the loo but ended up staying there all Saturday evening, live music good local beer well kept goods food and a welcoming publican
I have been back again since and thought its turning its self around
well worth a visit
Tiggs - 20 Dec 2009 15:11 |
I recently went to the Swan for a meal with my family. It was not the easiest pub to find but am glad we did. The pub itself is small and was undergoing some work in the back but this was not disruptive in anyway. There were a number of ales on, and quite a few soft drink options (including one of the biggest choices of J2O's lol). The staff were friendly and easy to talk to, and very helpful in terms of me bringing in a pushchair. The food choices were good, especially the specials board which had a good choice of home made meals. I chose the beef and veg pie which was delicious. Great size portions and well made food. The children's meals section was limited but overall if you are looking for a nice meal in a friendly pub this is your place.
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I have visited this pub before on our travels with our boat so I was shocked and disappointed at the poor review that it had been given by the previous reviewer. However, I had to concede that he was actually right. This pub has badly lost it's way and must be trading on it's famous location rather than attempting to become famous for it's standard of service or food. My sister and I had chicken kievs that should have come with hacksaws and the bar staff were not exactly filled with enthusiasm. By contrast, on our way back we have been in the Plum Pudding, a mere few miles up the road (maybe an hour by canal) and I cannot praise it enough. It will definitely be my next stop when in this area and I will be sailing past the "Mucky Duck"
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Whilst in the area last weekend we decided to make a detour to check out the Swan.
I wish that we hadn�t bothered.
Yes, it is in an interesting location directly opposite the busy junction of the Coventry Canal and the Trent & Mersey Canal, but other than that I cannot find very much else positive to say.
Four real ales were available, Abbott, Black Sheep, Pedigree and Blonde from the local Quartz microbrewery. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would rate the quality of the Black Sheep around 4/10, but I am downgrading this by being served by a very surly bar maid.
Bar staff are employed to SERVE customers, NOT do to do us a favour, which certainly seemed to be the impression the girl behind the bar was giving.
But more to the point, having entered the pub by the car park entrance and seeing the filthy state of the chiller cabinet containing the sweets, and then the seemingly chaotic state of the kitchen, I suggest that the hygiene standards of this establishment should be very carefully scrutinised by the relevant council�s Environmental Health Officers. Add to that the long overdue to be washed clothes that the youth employed to serve the meals was wearing and the picture is complete.
In summary; my overall rating is 1/10; and my recommendation is to AVOID until the beer quality and the the hygiene standards are improved and the staff are given 'Welcome Approch' training.
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An idyllic location, right by the canal, this pub, white rendered in the picture, is a part of a range of brick buildings - former wharehouses and such like, i assume. Has a beer patio.
The inside has three rooms; a larger room, where guitar and fiddle music was being played and had a locals feel. There was a smaller room, with bar serving hatch and a dining area, down stairs, in the former cellar. This sells basic second hand books. Decor was wood panel and white downstairs where we went, didnt really see main room. The place, amazingly, was chock-a-block with canal memorabilia! The service was friendly and the clientele a mix of boat people and locals.
Beer; tap stuff, with Murphys, which is what i had and it was nice, as the two handpulls available were the Black Sheep and Abbot's Ale, which are everywhere.
A very nice place, worth a visit with the family or friends - not a session place, or you might be fished out the canal next morning
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This pub has been named as one of the best on the canal network (and it's worth seeking out if you're not on the cut).
The food is excellent (especially the mixed grill). The book shop in the basement is worth a look too.
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nice to have a pint by the cut in the summer. don't bother with the food but the great.
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nice to have a pint by the cut in the summer. don't bother with the food but the great.
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Always a nice pint of decent Real Ale. Great to sit outside and watch the boats go by
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