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Secret Drinker reviews The Swan in Moulton




I passed a sign on my walk to The Swan which stated ‘Britain’s Tallest Windmill - 50 yds’.

Now, I was still a fair way from the aforementioned structure, but even with my questionable eyesight I could clearly see it was much bigger than that, and headed to the pub wondering whether Moulton was a place which went all-in for the understatement.

That hunch was proved correct almost immediately as I passed another sign telling me dogs were welcome in this establishment.

The Swan at Moulton
The Swan at Moulton
A glance at the bar
A glance at the bar

Welcome? They were more than welcome, they were almost treated like royalty.

In the neat and cosy bar area - a pair of pooches lazed carelessly on a chair, their own drink waiting for them on the floor, the pals clearly unaffected by the snooker on the big screen above them.

A dog’s life, indeed.

It's a dog's life indeed
It's a dog's life indeed
No mistaking you are at The Swan
No mistaking you are at The Swan

“She’ll be with you in a minute,” said one of a group of blokes getting good use from the bar stools - and their jaws - as they chatted heartily, placing his own soon-to-be-topped-up empty by the pumps to ensure he wouldn’t be missed.

In what turned out to be considerably less than a minute the barmaid was taking my order and pouring my Staropramen, a Czech lager that I always feel self conscious ordering.

Starro pro man seems to the be pronunciation of choice round these parts, but an eastern European gent once swore to me I should be asking for a starrop ra-men.

A pint of Staropramen. Easy for you to say
A pint of Staropramen. Easy for you to say
Plenty of spots to relax
Plenty of spots to relax

I tried his version a few times to be met with stony or bewildered looks from bar staff before beginning to question whether this chap was on the wind up and had truly stitched me up.

Either way, what I ordered was poured and, as it was a lovely early evening, I headed past an unused pool table to the beer garden.

Moulton has a beautifully picturesque village centre, in which The Swan plays a part, along with the store, the butcher’s, the church and the towering mill - way bigger than 50 yards as I could hardly miss it from my vantage point as it loomed over the roof of the pub.

A view of the mill from the outside area
A view of the mill from the outside area
Take a pew and enjoy the sun
Take a pew and enjoy the sun

While the restaurant area was starting to fill, it was perhaps a little too early for the evening’s drinkers to emerge so, with the exception of a chap finishing his fag, I had the place to myself.

But, even on a busy day I doubt you’d struggle for a seat.

Read more Secret Drinker reviews here.

The outdoor area was huge and the options to park your backside plentiful - from the array of tables and benches to a couple of nice, large covered areas where you could dodge the sun, or rain, if the feeling took you.

The pool table wasn't in use when I visited
The pool table wasn't in use when I visited
Towards the restaurant area
Towards the restaurant area

But there was no need to on this occasion as I supped my pint in the sun and pondered the correct way to say Staropramen.

Drink done I returned through the pub where the diners had swelled in numbers, the dogs remained chilled, the locals had gained another mate and one of them gave us a rendition of Ebeneezer Goode before they wished me well on my way.

A jolly place with jolly people. The Swan was certainly no lame duck.

Plenty of seating in the beer garden
Plenty of seating in the beer garden
No peeking, ladies
No peeking, ladies

THE SWAN, HIGH STREET, MOULTON, SPALDING, PE12 6QB

DECOR: The Swan feels like a well-loved, well lived village pub with a great beer garden. 3/5

DRINK: A pint of Staropramen (ABV 5%) which is a nice Czech pilsner. 4/5

PRICE: Just over a fiver at £5.10. 3/5

ATMOSPHERE: It was very early evening and just hotting up. The people - and dogs - inside were all having fun through. 3/5

STAFF: The young lady behind the bar was very polite and helpful. 3/5

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Do you agree with the Secret Drinker or have any suggestions where he should go next? Email secretdrinker@lincsonline.co.uk or comment below.



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