The Swan Inn  

Situated on the B1508 between Sudbury (Suffolk) 5 miles and Colchester (Essex) 10 miles. The pub is a 16th century village pub with two bars and a separate dinning room, all having beamed ceilings, open fires, wooden paneling and stud work walls with wall lighting. The small public bar has a traditional quarry tiled floor, an open brick fire, wooden tables, chairs and bar stools. The corner bar has three original brass hand beer pumps. There are old photographs of the village on the walls and a library of reference books, Encyclopedia Britannica and atlases on shelves. There is unfortunately also a "Fruit Machine" but at least the sound had been turned off. The small lounge bar was carpeted through out. There is a curtained bay window with upholstered bench seats and a round pillared table. There was also four other wooden tables, chairs and upholstered stools. The walls were decorated with pictures and horse brasses which suited the low beamed ceiling. The most striking feature was the open hearth brick fire place which at the time had a welcoming log fire burning. The separated dinning room was carpeted through out and again decorated with pictures and horse brasses on the stud work of the walls which again suited the beamed ceiling. There is enough room to seat approx. 30 at ten polished wooden tables, decorated with small vases of flowers, together with upholstered wooden chairs. Both the internal toilets were fully tiled with the added touch in the Ladies of small vases of flowers, a long mirror and a carpeted floor. Both toilets were clean and tidy. Outside at the back of the pub is a car park and behind that a secluded beer garden with picnic tables and a children's climbing frame. Beers on at the time were: Greene King I.P.A. (3.6%) ?1.66 per pint; Greene King Abbot Ale (5%) ?2.10 per pint. The two ales tried (I.P.A. and Abbot Ale) were in top condition and reflected the care taken by the Publican. The selection of food is varied with a choice of 5 starters, 20 main dishes, which included 5 vegetarian dishes and 5 sweets. These meals were displayed on chalk boards in the lounge bar and also on daily printed menus. My friend and I had for starters, home made carrot, leek and orange soup and mushrooms served with a blue cheese sauce. This was followed by a home made steak and kidney pie served with freshly cooked vegetables and escalopes of chicken cooked with bacon, mushrooms, wine and herbs again served with freshly cooked vegetables. The food was truly home cooked by the publican's wife and an absolute pleasure to eat. We ended the meal with a portion of home made apple and sultana pie served with ice cream and home made brandy and honey ice cream. The total cost including two glasses of good wine was ?29.45 The meal was served by a young smartly dressed girl who was very pleasant and polite. The meals were served from the pub kitchen to the tables in the dinning room or bars, which ever was requested. The Swan runs pub management courses, see their web site above. The Pub has no accommodation it's self at present but has an arrangement with a nearby private hotel (The Queens House) in the village. Any guests staying B&B at the Queens can take their lunches and evening meals at the Swan Inn. The Queens House is a 17th century Coaching Inn situated approx. 150 yards. from the Swan. They offer B&B in old world surroundings similar to the d?cor of the Swan with modern en-suite guest rooms T.V. coffee and tea making facilities. There is a residents bar and a family room available. The only problem with The Swan was that disabled people in wheel chairs might have difficulty in moving around.

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