The Swan

This pub is an good illustration as to why one has to be flexible about one’s prejudices. For it belong to a Pub Chain — Chef & Brewer — which for me is normally a warning sign of extreme averageness ;-(
But The Swan is more than that. It is located beside the Basingstoke Canal, with a good sized beer garden, in a nicely renovated older building. The menu is varied, the food comes in good portions, and the selection of real ales is normally excellent.
Really the only thing that stops it getting a full «5» rating is the service can be tardy at lunchtimes, which is problematic if one is seeking a pleasant workday lunch in that otherwise culinary desert of the Aldershot-​Farborough area.

The swan is a beautiful pub which is located next to the canal, so is beautiful when you make use of the outside area which is heated and has a non smoking and a smoking area. There are a range of different sized tables here for different number’s of parties. The pub is clean and comfortable and the staff are very friendly and happy to help. The food in here is a little pricey, how-​ever it’s good quality food and tastes delicious. I have eaten in here a few times and the food has always been served resonably quick. I enjoy eating here espicially in the summer, when I can sit down with my friends and enjoy the breeze from the canal.

We went on Mothering Sunday 2011 — didn’t book as have been several times before and were under the impression that you couldn’t. Arrived before 12 and the place was already very full. Went in and asked for a table for 4 and were told sorry — full except the Garden. Whilst it was a lovely day we explained that one of our Party was 92 years old so the garden just wasn’t an option. Chap immediately rearranged a table and we were seated straight away (sorry didn’t get your name but Thanks a Million!) Food was good, service was good and what could have been a bit of a trial was a lovely special lunch. We had mixed dinners, including one std roast and all the food was quickly served, hot and good value.
Well done especially on such a busy day.

This place is a picture postcard of what the quinessential English country pub should look like. It is absolutely gorgeous inside with a real homely feel and a great roaring fire in the hearth.
The food is generally very good, however it can also be very bad (depending on what day you go, who the chef is and how busy they are).
I have been there as a couple and the service and the food was excellent. I have also been in a large party (at Christmas) and the food and service was very mixed. We booked well in advance but the Swan still managed to run out of the food we had ordered and were very unapologetic about it, to the point of being rude and no compensatory offer such as a free drink to placate its customers. Also their staff did not take criticism of the way they handled the afternoon very well! If they can’t manage large parties then they should not offer the service (other departments of our Work had similar complaints).
In conclusion excellent for couples, very poor for larger parties.

I love this pub!
I have been going there for about 12 years (in fact I met my husband in there!)
It has changed a few times and become more geared towards food than just drinking, although to be honest we rarley eat there, just drink :)
The landlord Derek and his wife Andrea are real gems. They have been there for just over 20 years and are loved by all the locals.
The food is sort of ‘posh pub’ food. Nothing too fancy, nor too expensive, but higher quality than some chain pubs.
The beer garden is beautiful, right by the Basingstoke Canal.
Car park is a bit too small but they have an arrangement with the St John’s Ambulance place over the road where you can park there — just be considerate that you park not blocking their entrances.
Well worth a visit.

The Swan pub is in a lovely spot, tucked down a side road and next to the Basingstoke Canal.
Been there quite a few times and I’ve always had great food, great service and its a lovely atmosphere in there.
The set menu is a little limited in places but there is an extensive range of specials on the boards and I urge you to try these. I had a pheasant, partridge and venison platter not so long ago and it was really delicious.