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ONE PUB ONLY?
Gluepot
CRAWLING FROM RAILWAY STATION TO THE GROUND?
Gluepot, then across town and uphill to the Beehive and the Steam Railway before a downhill walk to the ground (or taxi)
SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT?
The Beehive
|  |  Beehive
25 Prospect Hill SN1 3JS Telephone 01793 523187 W www.bee-hive.co.uk
G Andy Mercer
F Baguettes and bar snacks
SP TV P
O 12 to 12
The Beehive is a brilliant street - corner local of the old school style. It is one of those pubs that has the confidence to continue what is does, safe in the knowledge that it exactly suits the regulars it serves. The Prospect Hill area is popular with local teachers, lecturers and artists. It is no surprise to see that the pub reflects this in a Bohemian mix of art, music, good beer and environmental awareness.
The pub is essentially a triangular building set on a steep hill; so that is has to arrange itself on four levels with steps from each small room to the next. The top room has the environmental theme, book recycling appears popular and, if the notice board is to be believed, so does campaigning The walls of the middle rooms showcase the work of local artists. Look out for the wall paintings and the great photo of the pub in Abbey Road mode. The bottom room has great windows that offer views across the town and the soon to be closed college. The whole pub has a great well worn feel, a place that the locals will protect from change and who could blame them. John has been the boss here for 14 years and his wry humour soon comes into conversation. Live music is also a key feature. The bands include local bands and an impressive list of overseas guests who return to the Beehive out of choice. The next gig was to be a visiting Russian blues band. This is the closest of my choices to the ground, make sure you leave time to visit; it will surprise you with its friendliness.
BWV 24.5.06: Greene King IPA, Morlands Original, Old Speckled Hen, Ruddles County | |  Duke of Wellington
27 Eascott Hill SN1 3JG Telephone 01793 534180 W www.arkells.com
G Amber and Russell
SP TV BM P
O 6.30 to 12 Mon - Fri, 12 to 12 Sat – Sun
Uphill from the new, downhill from the old (towns) the Duke of Wellington is a great street corner local with a big sporting heart. The real ale find is that the Arkells beer is served from stills behind the bar (nothing comes on hand pull) and often seasonal ales are found to add to the reward of climbing the hill. The pub describes itself as having a bar and snug. Both rooms are equally cosy and it is with some difficulty that the larger bar squeezes a dart board into the room, it is so compact. I liked the snug especially the preoccupation with golf and all its clubbiness. My visit found the regulars away playing golf with the landlord; now that is something that I would love in my own local. With wooden floors, books scattered around the walls and plenty of sporting trophies, it is easy to see how this place has a real regular locals feel. Should you tire of the 3B then the pub also specialises in the breweries’ range of bottled ales. Crib and a bottle, reminds me of my youth and possible dotage. This pub would be my stopping point either to the old town or preferably on the way to the match.
UPDATE: The pub has been redecorated but little has changed.
BWV 11.4.05: Arkells 3B
BWV 24.5.06: Arkells 3B | |  Glue Pot
5 Emlyn Square SN1 5BP Telephone 01793 523935 W www.HopBack.co.uk
G Karen and Keith
F Good value traditional pub food and free Sunday buffet 12 to 3 Mon - Sat
MP BM P
O Mon 4.30 - 11, Tue - Thu, 12 to 11 Fri - Sat 11.30 - 11 Sun 12 - 10.30
This is one of only ten Hop Back brewery owned pubs and as such will always be a destination pub for those heading west to find ale from what is probably the best known new brewery. It opened three years ago and Mike and Becky have quickly created a great local that suits the need for a good real ale pub that holds on to its community roots.
The pub is relatively compact, having one room that is creatively laid out with pew seats tables and stools to maximise the space available. It also has a great outside pavement drinking area;, the only area available for youngsters to accompany their parents. The pub was pretty busy when I visited; it appeared to be popular with the young professional set. The customers become more varied in the evenings but always the atmosphere is gentle rather than boisterous, friendly and welcoming. The locals like to share the Gluepot with friends and this extends to match days when railway travelling beer fans are used to finding the pub. The all day breakfasts are very popular among those visiting fans and good intentions to crawl are often forgotten when the beer list is viewed and sampled. There is always a monthly guest brewery choice to add to Hop Back and Downton ales.
BWV 24.5.06: Brains Bitter, Rev James, Downton Elder Quad, Moonmaker Mild, Hop Back Entire Stout, GFB, Odyssey Best, Summer Lightning, Thatcher’s Cheddar Valley, Draught, Farmer’s Tipple Ciders, Weston’s Old Rosie Cider
BEERS OCT 2009 Hop Back Crop Circle, Odyssey Best,and Summer Lightning. Downton's Dark Delight plus up to four guests | |  Kings Arms
20 Wood St. SN1 4AB Telephone 01793 522156 W www.thekings-swindon.co.uk
G Christopher Piper
F Classic hotel style menu with daily specials. Roast dinners on Sunday 12 to 2
MP BM D
O 10.30 to 3, 6 to 11 Mon - Fri, 10.30 to 12 Sat – Sun
The Kings is a hotel bar with a difference. It is also different in what might be expected in a “village within town” location. The four Arkells ales stand proud on a long shiny bar that would fit well into any city centre brasserie. The hotel still offers accommodation yet it has renovated rooms to open up a light atrium with views to the sky and created a good mix of trendy food place and real ale bar. The pub is home of CAMRA meetings and should be a place to find when visiting Wiltshire because of the larger range of Arkells ales being available. My lunchtime visit found a mix of business luncheoners and older regulars meeting again for a reworking of typical local conversations. Describing itself as a bar and restaurant the Kings offers some big town chic yet appears popular with all ages and attitudes. It is a great pub in a rather surprising building. It could well be worth checking out the price of a room as the Kings Arms would make an ideal real ale crawling base.
UPDATE: The bar is unchanged since last year. It continues to offer the quieter alternative to the others in the guide.
BWV 11.4.05: Arkells 2B, 3B, Kingsdown Ale, Moonshine
BWV 24.5.06: Arkells 2B, 3B, Kingsdown Ale, Moonshine | |  Steam Railway
14 Newport St. SN1 3DX Telephone 01793 538048
G Maria Chatfield
F Good value comprehensive pub menu with two meal deals 12 to 8 Mon - Fri, 12 to 4 Sat
MP SK BM P D
O 12 to 11 Mon - Sat, 12 to 10.30 Sun
The Steam Railway Company pub is really two pubs in one. You are quickly made aware that the Holy Grail is found in the pubbier room to the right. Nine real ales from national and regional breweries, masses of extra choice over the year as seen in the plethora of beer clips on the walls, and a busy bar frequented by regular real ale beerophiles. I particularly like the back of this bar an ideal place for a newspaper and ale session. Wood - panelled like a University refectory, it is a haven from the younger, sportier, room next door. The real ale revival is patently proving more popular and dare I say it, profitable here.
UPDATE: The process of changing the pub to a real ale mecca is fully underway. The DJ has gone, the emphasis has changed and the atmosphere is now more old - school with innovative touches. I could have joined the RATS, in May, paying a sub to get cheaper ale on a Tuesday plus T shirts and a glass that celebrates the love of tasting real ale. The pub now has 3 plasma screens and 6 TVs for serious sports viewing.
BWV 11.4.05: Adnams Bitter, Everards Perfick. Fuller’s London Pride, Greene King IPA, Ruddles County Wadworth 6X, Wells Bombardier
BWV 24.5.06: Adnams Bitter, Fuller’s London Pride, Greene King Abbot, IPA, Old Speckled Hen, Hydes Dr’s Orders, Wadworth 6X, ,Wells Bombardier, Young’s Waggledance
Facebook page | | | SWINDON CAMRA | | 
COUNTY GROUND
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LOCAL BREWERY
Box Steam Brewery
Oaks Farm
Rode Hill
Nr Colerne
Wiltshire
SN14 8AR
Tel: 01225 858383
www.boxsteambrewery.com | | WETHERSPOONS
The Savoy 38-40 Regent Street Swindon SN1 1JL Opening Times: Sun-Thu 9am-midnight; Fri/Sat 9am-1am
The Groves Company Inn 22-23 Fleet Street Swindon SN1 1RQ Opening Times: Sun-Thu 9am-midnight; Fri/Sat 9am-1am
The Sir Daniel Arms Fleet Street Swindon SN1 1RQ Opening Times: Mon-Wed 9am-midnight; Thu-Sat 9am-2am; Sun 9am-1am
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