The Swan in Pangbourne is an absolute gem on the River Thames. From the moment you arrive, you’re greeted with incredible service and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The recent refurbishment has transformed the space beautifully! everything feels fresh, stylish, and thoughtfully designed while still keeping its classic charm. The scenery alone is worth the visit. Whether you’re sitting by the windows overlooking the water or enjoying the outdoor seating in warmer months, the riverside views are simply stunning. Inside, the cozy fireplaces create the perfect setting to relax, unwind, and enjoy a drink or a meal. What truly sets The Swan apart, though, is the staff. Friendly, attentive, and always happy to help, they make you feel right at home and elevate the whole experience. A beautifully refurbished riverside pub with exceptional service and unbeatable atmosphere. The Swan is a must visit!
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Reviews
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rob shepherd ★★★★★
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Sean Willis ★★★★☆
Sesame Free Hummus is amazing! I have a sesame allergy and never seen a restaurant do it before and it was absolutely amazing! The Swan Besy bitter very nice too. Unfortunately they weren't very good with my friends gluten and milk allergy. Miscommunication between staff and didn't realise certain things contained gluten hence only 4 stars.
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Nick Miles ★★★★★
This is one of the best gastropubs I have visited this year. The staff (Hubert especislly) were excellent, the food (roast lamb and roast dry-aged beef) was faultless and extremely filling! The atmosphere is very pleasant and the riverside values are delightful. Would highly recommend!
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Nerissa Thakurdas ★★☆☆☆
We have been visiting The Swan for many years, primarily to enjoy drinks during the summer months. Its stunning riverside location is one of the best in the area and remains the pub’s greatest asset. Over time, we have also tried the food on several occasions, around five times in total, always hoping for an improvement. Unfortunately, each visit has been consistently underwhelming, with the dishes lacking flavour and depth. Given the location, we genuinely want The Swan to deliver great food to match its setting. However, despite new ownership, a refurbishment & menu changes, the dining experience continues to disappoint. Prior to the refurb, the menu felt unfocused and inconsistent, offering a range of dishes from around the world without a clear theme. Sadly, that remains the case. Instead of concentrating on one cuisine and doing it well, the menu features a mix of options including pies, curries, schnitzel & linguine, creating confusion rather than cohesion. For a traditional pub, one would expect a menu that highlights hearty British classics rather than an eclectic assortment. On our latest visit, we decided to try the traditional Sunday roast, encouraged by the updated décor and refreshed menu. We were pleased to see that the scotch eggs, previously a standout starter, were still available and they were just as enjoyable as before. This gave us hope that the roast might show similar improvement. Unfortunately, that was not the case. The beef was overcooked, dry & lacking in flavour. The roast potatoes were hard rather than crisp and tasted reheated rather than freshly made. The stuffing was disappointing & the vegetables were bland, lacking seasoning or depth. Even the gravy failed to bring the elements together. It was a disheartening meal overall. I left much of it unfinished, as it simply did not taste of anything, which felt like a waste of both calories & anticipation. I even found myself eating again once home. While the food continues to fall short, it is worth noting that the service remains excellent and the atmosphere as charming as ever. The staff are consistently friendly and attentive, which makes the experience pleasant despite the culinary shortcomings. In summary, The Swan remains a beautiful spot for drinks by the river with a lovely ambiance & great service. However, the food still fails to live up to the setting, and until the kitchen focuses on delivering flavour & cohesion, it is unlikely to become a true dining destination.
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Osman Menla ★★★★★
On a hot day, my family and I stopped by for a quick refreshment and were delighted with the experience. Hubert served us perfectly chilled drinks, just what we needed to cool down. His warm welcome and gentle manner made us feel truly valued. The seating by the river was beautiful and peaceful, making it the perfect spot to relax and enjoy the view. A wonderful stop for a refreshing break!
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Lajos Kovacs ★★★★★
A very nice place, with authentic athmosphere. The food was also great, as well as the service. The food selection is not so wide, but it is not a problem, as every dish is so appealing that you cannot decide what to chose. I hope I will have the chance to visit this place again.
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Alan Jones ★★★★☆
Great location with views over the Thames. The food was very good especially the chocolate and Guinness fondant. Friendly service looked after my elderly mother in law very well. Can't wait to come back.
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James Devney ★★★★★
Wonderful food, great service and a fine selection of beers. Sitting on the bank of the Thames, round the corner from the train station is this fantastic pub. It's the prefect end to the 5 mile amble from Goring down the river. Recommended.
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ron deacon ★★★★★
Picturesque pub & restaurant right on the bank of the Thames just on the outskirts of west Pangbourne. Stopped off here for drinks & a meal on our circular walk from Goring. Managed to get a table outside right by the bank of the river. It was a brilliant location & the food was excellent.
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Stephanie Vale ★★★★★
Lovely staff and outside area. We brought our little dog who liked sitting by the river. We had the sunday roast which was really nice.
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FAQs
What is the address of The Swan?
The Swan is located at Shooters Hill, Pangbourne, Reading RG8 7DU, UK
What is the phone number of The Swan?
You can contact The Swan at +44 118 984 4494
How can I get to The Swan?
You can find directions to The Swan by following this map link