A NEW landlord has taken over at a Hampshire pub and is hoping to pull in the punters with his picturesque venue, history, pints and pies.
Nestled in the village of Sherborne St John, just outside Basingstoke, is The Swan.
The pub is currently managed by Dean Oxborough. Dean took over The Swan with his partner Joao and puppy Charlie less than a month ago.
He said: "I really like the area and the look of the pub with a traditional thatched roof. I enjoy speaking to the locals about the pub's history and getting to know them.
"This pub has lacked love over the recent years, my aim is to make this pub great again. A nice warm welcome, cosy, and comfortable environment for those wishing to dine or just have a drink."
Greene King owns the Swan as part of their Old English Inns collection.
The Sherborne St John History Society advise that it was the Saxons who established the village, and named it Sherborne, meaning 'clear stream'.
William I replaced Lady Ulveva as lord of the manor. His descendants later took the surname St John.
The Swan dates back to the 17th Century. The main thatched building was the only part of the pub back then.
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In the 80s, a small conservatory was added to the back, followed by the restaurant extension that is there today.
Inside you'll find low ceilings in the original part along with an impressive brick-built fireplace with comfy seating around.
Jay is the head chef and has been working at the pub for over a year.
The Swan boasts an extensive food menu with weekly specials served all day every day. The lunch menu begins at 11 am and runs until 4pm Monday to Saturday.
The pub serves a weekend brunch starting at 9.30am on a Saturday and Sunday.
There is also a Sunday roast dinner option served with all the trimmings.
Dean said: “Our current best selling dishes include - fillet steak and lobster tail, seabass and scallops with risotto, smothered chicken, and the classic steak and ale pie.”
The pub is pet friendly and offers blankets, bowls of water and dog treats.
Popular events include the long-running quiz night which runs on a Wednesday from 8pm.
The Swan is currently running an event called Fizz Friday where some bottles of Prosecco and Rose are discounted.
The Swan's garden is a fantastic summer location with comfortable seating and shady areas stretching the length of the lawn. Children are welcome to play and there is a field next door to explore.
Contact Dean and his team at The Swan by phone on 01256 850165.
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