This is a popular friendly community pub built on a busy site by a crossroads, which originally had a pub as far back as the 17th century.
The main bar is L-shaped serving a large area with double aspect windows and tastefully decorated in shades of green and grey with half wooden panelling and wooden beams plus woodland scene wallpaper. Complemented by the grey, blue and cream carpet, there is a mix of tables and chairs with comfy banquette seating. There is also a small fireplace plus a mosaic window at the end of the bar showing the old elm tree and swan motif. The pub is sports orientated with TV screens at either end showing football and racing plus advertising screens. A smaller area leads off with crimson décor and wooden flooring, and then into the spacious second bar, which is more geared up for functions and music events. This has polished wooden panelling with blue and white patterned wallpaper complementing the wooden flooring with high tables and stools. This also has three further TV screens for sporting fixtures. This leads into the small carpeted conservatory, which is normally used for dining.
Up to three cask ales are usually available. Keg beer range includes Brixton. Cask Ale Tuesday has all cask ales at reduced price (no further CAMRA discount applies).
Operated by Great UK Pubs under the Stonegate group. Reopened in late February 2024 after a major refurbishment.
Instagram page is @theswanwestwickham
Historic Interest
Records show that a building has been on this site since the 15th C., originally called Smethes, standing by a junction called Norwood Cross within what was originally the village of Wickham Street. By 1745, this was a coaching inn before being renamed as the Swan Hotel in the 1790s. The current building dates from the 1840s and was Grade II listed in 1973. As well as being an inn, this also served as a community hub, acting as a public meeting place, a centre for the distribution of parish benefits to the poor, a shelter for the poor and the sick as well as a venue for meetings of the local vestry. This was later owned by the Dartford Brewery. A great elm tree called the "Stocks Tree" stood outside in the middle of the High Street, marking the centre of the village until 1935. The Grade II listing by Historic England states: "About 1840. 2 storeys stuccoed with hipped slate roof and eaves. 5 sash windows and 2 dormers. Plinth. Ground floor windows have shutters. Door- case has semi-circular hood. 2 extensions on either side of 1 storey."
This Pub serves 1 changing beer and 2 regular beers.
Swan, West Wickham