This delightful free-house boasts three regular real ales namely Adnams Bitter, Woodforde’s Wherry and St. Austell Tribute with a constantly changing guest beer. On my visit, it was another Cornish beer, Sharps Doombar. Aspalls cider is also on offer and wine by the glass is chosen from top brands at £3.95 for 250ml. Colin has been in the pubs business for around 45 years, plying his trade across the length and breadth of the country; he’s a very traditional landlord always wearing collar and tie and offering a warm welcome.

They are open between 11am-3pm and 6pm-11pm Tuesday – Friday, (shut all day Monday) Saturday, open all-day, and they keep traditional pub hours on a Sunday. This well-appointed pub has a pleasant feel and low beams. The restaurant has been tastefully refurbished, with wonderful photographs of the village from Victorian times. They have managed to combine the difficult task of putting on great food and drink without an over-emphasis on either, combining the traditional pub feeling and that of good food.

The bar snacks are great and my old buddy and former bank manager, also of Cambridge rugby fame, Malcolm Watson was in for his lunch, as he regularly does. He had a fabulous sausage and salad baguette with a portion of well-cooked chips. He eats here regularly so, if he is satisfied, the portions must be of high quality and large. There is a Sunday carvery from £7.95 and Thursday is cod & chips special night costing only £5.95. There are various light bites available like a prawn platter, or brie wedges from £4.95 plus a full menu of great pub food like steaks and gammon. One of the specialities is the selection of pies and I had a fantastic Steak and Ale pie with all the trimmings for £8.95.

Very much a local’s pub, the Swan plays host to the local sports teams and they have a busy quiz night on the last Wednesday of the month.

You are sure of a warm welcome at this lovely old pub, just a stone's throw from the A14.

The White Swan
Main Street
Stow-Cum-Quy
Cambridge
01223 811821
Jerry Brown
jerrybrown77@hotmail.com