The Swan With Two Necks

The Swan With Two Necks, Stockport, Cheshire SK1 1RY

A single-fronted three-storey pub situated on the now pedestrianised Princes Street on the north side of the town centre. It was rebuilt in 1926 and given a mock-Tudor frontage that has now succumbed to the regrettable modern trend of grey paint.

The original 1926 interior, with an abudance of light oak panelling, survives largely intact, and merits a three-star entry on CAMRA’s National Inventory. A drinking corridor giving access to the bar servery runs the full length of the pub on the right-hand side. At the front is a small, plain vault which I do not ever remember having fixed seating.

To the rear of the servery is the superb, top-lit smoke room, with fixed seating on all four sides, original bull-pushes and a stone Tudor-style fireplace. This must surely be one of the finest and cosiest pub rooms in the country. Further back is a plainer room, again with fixed seating, that was brought into pub use in the 1960s. The Ladies’ toilets have been brought inside, but the original outside Gents’ remains with its three large porcelain urinals.

It normally offers two or three cask beers from the Robinson’s range, always including Unicorn, with Old Tom barley wine available on draught in winter. A pie and mash menu served at lunchtimes.

In recent years it has received a boost to trade following the opening of the new RedRock leisure complex at the rear, including The Light cinema. The rear entrance has been revamped to make it more appealing and a small beer garden created.

The Commercial

The Commercial, Huddersfield, Yorkshire HD1 2AX

A four-square, stone-built, three-storey pub on a corner site towards the south end of Huddersfield’s main shopping street. It appears to date from the early part of the 19th century, and is noticeably older than most of the surrounding buildings.

It’s a Samuel Smith’s pub, with their characteristic comfortable, traditional interior. This includes two cosy rooms with bench seating on either side of the front door, plus a longer room with a pool table at the back left running along the side of the bar. A glass cabinet in the left-hand room contains a collection of beer bottles.

Sam’s usual beer range is on offer at good-value prices, including cask Old Brewery Bitter and a wide selection of kegs. No food is served. I read a description a while ago of its lively, convivial atmosphere, with the typical more mature clientele. After an extended period of closure, it has recently reopened, and hopefully its former character will be re-established. In such a central position there should be no shortage of trade.

The Bridge Inn

The Bridge Inn, Topsham, Devon EX3 0QQ

A rambling old tile-hung pub located at the “back” of the town overlooking the tidal estuary of the River Clyst. Although a substantial building, the interior is surprisingly small and intimate. It has been little changed for many decades and merits a threestar entry on CAMRA’s National Inventory. It has the distinction of having received an official visit from Queen Elizabeth II in 1998.

The door gives access to a panelled corridor running the length of the pub, on the left of which is the tap room, which occupies the front bay window and contains some fixed seating and old furniture. On the right is the bowed back of a built-in settle in a private parlour which also contains the stillage for the casks, into which favoured customers may be invited. Further along on the right is a small, cosy snug containing a massive stone fireplace, which has a small serving hatch linking it to the parlour.

The “Malthouse” at the rear is used for live music events and sometimes as an overflow area. There is ample outdoor seating overlooking the Clyst, plus a marquee at the far end of the car park. Sadly, my sole visit was on a rainy evening when the tide was out, which did not show the pub’s setting at its best.

Printed beer menus on the tables list about six cask ales served on gravity, mostly from local micro-breweries, with Branscombe Vale Branoc as a permanent beer. Simple pub food such as sandwiches and ploughman’s is served at lunchtimes.

The pub has its own car park and is about a quarter of a mile from Topsham Station on the Exeter-Exmouth line. Topsham itself is a characterful historic port on the estuary of the River Exe, and is well worth exploring.