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Roaring Donkey, Swindon

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Opens Tue at 5:00pm
6 Albert Street, Old Town, Swindon, SN1 3HJ (View on Google Map)
07847 382483
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Part of an attractive row of stone cottages. A traditional back street local with an unusual name. Although called the Rising Sun for more than a century it was always known as the Roaring Donkey.

As you enter the pub there is a small wood panelled bar on the right with two dart boards and a fruit machine. To the left is a larger lounge. There are two handpumps serving one regular beer and the second an occasional guest. After a period of neglect it reopened in November 2024.

Historic Interest

Edward Bowly the Cirencester brewer built the Heart in Hand beerhouse in 1845. It became the Rising Sun around 1862, although it was always known as the Roaring Donkey. Ushers bought it from Courage in 1991 and it formally adopted the name Roaring Donkey in 1999.

Information for this venue is provided by the Swindon & North Wiltshire Branch of CAMRA
Previous Names
Rising Sun
Local Authority
Swindon (B)
Last updated
01/04/2025
Last surveyed
01/04/2025
Leasehold owner
unknown
Freehold owner
Punch Pubs & Co (Punch Taverns)
Pub ID
SWN/80
Asset of Community Value
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
5:00pm - 10:30pm
Wednesday
5:00pm - 10:30pm
Thursday
5:00pm - 11:30pm
Friday
5:00pm - Midnight
Saturday
5:00pm - 1:00am
Sunday
3:00pm - 9:00pm
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Current beers

This Pub serves 1 changing beer and 1 regular beer.

Regular and recently seen

Fuller's - London Pride TasteMatch Prediction

View beer
Fuller's London Pride Pumpclip
Fuller's - London Pride Session Bitter • 4.1% Spotted twice.
Fuller's London Pride Pumpclip
Fuller's - London Pride

This beer is served regularly and Spotted twice. at Roaring Donkey, Swindon.

ABV 4.1%
Dispense Handpump
Style Session Bitter
Colour
Vegan No
Gluten Free No
Changing

Changing beers typically include: Wychwood - Hobgoblin IPA

Source: National

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Champion Beer Of Britain Award

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Judging for the competition takes around a year, starting with individual nominations from CAMRA members and tasting panel nominations, leading to a series of rigorous regional heats adhering to a strict blind tasting policy.

Facilities
Sports TV Sports TV
Terrestial only
Live Music Live Music
Monthly
Games Games
Darts
Real Fire Real Fire
Separate Bar Separate Bar
Features
Cask Ale Cask Ale
Cask Marque Cask Marque
Cask Marque Beer and Cellar Hygiene rating
Cask Marque: Beer and Cellar Hygiene rating 5 out of 5
Transport
Close to bus routes (150m)
Swindon: 11; Stagecoach: 9

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