Pubs and Bars / A-Z Bristol pub crawl
A-Z Bristol Pub Crawl: The Swan, Hanham
It’s Valentine’s Day in the Swan and while hearts and flowers may not be out in abundance, there’s some jovial love in the air.
“Cheers Dave, love you,” one regular calls across the pub to another, raising his freshly poured pint.
“You’ll start the rumour machine now,” says his friend with a chuckle.
The Swan on Conham Hill has been serving the local community for generations and on this particular Wednesday evening, a friendly drawl of post-work chatter can be heard above the music.
The Swan has been serving the local community for generations
The Swan has a skittles alley and function room
“I’ll have a Thatchers Gold please,” says another regular, coming straight up to the bar after a day of work. He chats with the landlord as his pint is poured before retiring to the end of the pub by the main entrance. Here, wooden doors lead through to the skittle alley and function room beyond.
There’s a chalk board with scores of a game propped up by the bar, behind which just one cheese roll remains. The traditional interior of the pub boasts framed Beryl Cook pictures, among others, hung beneath the vast wooden beams.
There are no children allowed in the bar, but located just up the (very steep) hill from Conham River Park, the Swan’s big beer garden is a favourite with people of all ages after a day out by the river in the summer.
On this drizzly evening, locals are opting instead for the heated covered area between the main pub and the garden.
Here, a man sits with a dog roughly the size of a small pony as he rolls a cigarette. “This is our favourite spot,” he says contentedly. He’s not the only one feeling the love for this historic pub just off the beaten track.
The Swan has a big beer garden to the side
The Swan, Conham Hill, Hanham, Bristol, BS15 3AP
All photos: Ellie Pipe
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