Swan — Restaurant in England

This year with family visiting we decided to forgo the stress of a traditional Christmas lunch on the day itself, and instead opted to book a table for 6 at the Swan on station road in Thatcham for Boxing day.

From the moment we arrived we were greeted with smiles and enthusiasm by Scott, Chanade and Hannah, the trio managing front of house.

In the kitchen itself we were treated to an excellent three course, traditional Christmas meal with all the trimmings (and then some) served up by the dynamic duo of Mark and Lauren.

The service throughout was prompt and attentive without being overbearing, and at one point Mark himself came out of the kitchen to check in on us which was a lovely touch.

Since Danny and Mark took over the full time running of the Swan the consistency of the service, ambience and the food has been excellent and befits what is the best pub restaurant in Thatcham.

Thanks to everyone involved for making it such an enjoyable afternoon for all our family. We couldn't recommend the Swan highly enough for those looking for a good place to eat in general, or to pass the cooking baton on to other capable hands next...

Travelled from Suffolk to meet a friend who moved to Thatcham.....saw web site of this place and looked nice.

Firstly, why charge to park here....if it was likely to be used by shoppers I might have given it a bit of leeway, but no shops nearby. Yes, it can be reimbursed if you spend Over £40 but if you have no change the app is an obscure one. Next, even though table booked, getting noticed to be shown table took 20 mins as only bar staff (busy serving crowds) were available to ask. Next you have a choice, order on the app. or at bar, so judging by the impending wait ordered, from experience trying to find table, on the stupid app., oh, then have to pay on line!!!! So no reimbursement of car park now then!

Food was average, staff were okay but not a pleasant experience all round. Definitely not my kind of place, and judging by similar experience of their pub in Bury St Edmunds, (pay for car park there as well!! ) this may be par for the course in all there pubs. Won't be Marston's anywhere again.

Had planned to book a room on next visit but definitely will give...

You cancelled my Dad's wake on the morning of his funeral. Unfortunately you had a leak which forced the pub to be closed for the day. I understand and accept that, it's just very bad luck. However to get a call that morning with "very sorry, but we are forced to close the pub for the day, so will have cancel the wake you have with us". No particular empathy or concern, no offer to help us find an alternative and no follow up apologies (if I ran a pub and had to cancel a wake on the morning of a funeral I'd be mortified and would do all I could to help and follow up). I'm not into leaving negative reviews, and thought long and hard before leaving this one, but given you sent me a "How did we do?" review email the day after the funeral I thought I'd tell you. I know these review emails are automated, however the fact that you didn't think to stop it only underlines the insensitive way an unfortunate situation was handled. In fairness I would like to add that the lady I spoke to when booking the wake a few weeks before was very friendly...