The Swan at Southrop

The handsome Swan carries the character of many years’ quiet but steady use in a village drenched in scenic charm. The inside is sober but comfortable, solid & well set up, with the balance between pubbery & gastronomy just about right. One of the owners is Graham Williams, once the smiling front-of-house at Bibendum in London, another is James Parkinson, also ex-Bibendum, who heads the kitchen. The menu is a smart mix of British & European classics alongside dishes from further afield. The basics are carefully done, the details punctiliously attended to, the whole experience satisfying at every level. If you’re not up for a full dining experience, the bar menu is tip-top.