Ye Olde Swan — Restaurant in Milton Keynes

Sadly having to review this place with such a low score. It was always good in the past but missed the mark terribly tonight on so many points.

Firstly, we booked a table about 3 weeks in advance and when we get there they tell us its really busy (it wasn't) and they were going to sit us in the bar. My other half sat on the sofa bench and I sat on a stool. I couldn't even get my legs under the table to start with and it wasn't a suitable place to have dinner from. We asked to move and they magically had a table that was available, even though we saw it was unoccupied from the moment we walked in.

Once we were settled at a more comfortable and suitable table we then had to deal with everyone not understanding the one way system in place. Fair enough, the new measures can be confusing and not everyone will stick to it but maybe make it clearer or don't put tables right in the middle of the walkways. On top of this, where we had been moved to was near the outside door which was left open until late. Two other tables had asked for it to be closed but were ignored.

The other points are kind of excusable and maybe even petty to moan about but the one thing you expect to be good, would be the food right? The starter we ordered (the sharer platter) missed the mark on what was described versus what arrived. Not the end of the world as it was actually the best thing that came out and from what we heard was maybe the best plate in our area, I'll come to that in a second. Our mains however, were just very.... SAD. "Glazed seasonal veg, honey roasted carrots", I wish this was the case, unfortunately it looked like the chef has given up and emptied a pre prepared bag of veg. The lamb was bland and dry (thank goodness for mint sauce). My other half ordered a steak with surf and turf, somehow though the "surf" part of the food was so overcooked that is was solid. Not even any seasoning on them to add insult to injury.

I thought the poor service was just our bad luck but all tables in our area seemed to suffer. Nobody came around the tables to check on us or to ask about drinks. And just when I thought our food was bad, one table had a cold pie turn up and one of their party had to send food back due to an allergy concern that was missed.

I really do hope they can turn this around because in the past it was always a good evening out with friends and family. This meal should have cost me nearly £70. Luckily we had tesco vouchers and the eat out scheme so it was only £14 in the end. I would not have paid the full...

Were treated to a meal out voucher by one of our daughters pre lockdown and finally got to use it today at this pub as a treat for myself and my wife. Initial feelings good as booked a table online. Plenty of car park space and friendly server Cheryl . Ordered food and arrived quickly. Wife had cod and chips and peas .. standard fare but served nicely on a flat with a nice touch of "fake " newspaper on base of plate to give that retro vibe like buying at a chip shop or from a sea front yesteryear and she asked for additional tartare sauce which was duely brought with no extra hassle or fee. My meal.. not so clever Mixed grill.. Teeny tiny RUMP more like a rib egg .. the gammon and chicken grill and chips all luke warm to near cold and the fried eye served with it a kin to an omelette so over cooked. Tomato still having stalk on it and all in all cold and not what I expected but being the dutiful Brit I ate it in abject silence over complaining and spoiling the meal out for my wife. I was offered a choice of sauces with my mixed grill of which chose the Garlic and Mushroom assuming it was included in the meal ( charged extra for it on bill !) . Pudding. Wife had Sticky toffee pud and I had Bakewell .. ST Pud was huge and wife struggled to eat it and my Bakewell again served cold with COLD custard was the size a hamster would think was tiny . To round meal off wife had Tea which was ok but when asked for Decaff coffee a simple enough request was told only sachets available of which I did not want and so went without. Out of 10 I'd rate 4/10 for meal. Service was best thing out of it all as server Cheryl was polite and quick and we did get a seat near fire , which was just as well as it was very cold and draughty in the YE OLDE SWAN and we will not eat there again unless is SUMMER and warm and sit outside . Sorry for poor review but it is what it is and the truth is seldom...

I dropped into Ye Old Swan after my dog walk as we both needed a rest after a long and very beautiful walk through Woughton on the Green and Ouzel Valley Park. To put this review into context I was just with my dog Benson and I would never stop by/walk into a pub on my own no matter what time of day. However, there was something about Ye Old Swan which was inviting and comfortable which gave me the courage to stop by. We had often walked past this beautiful 13th century thatched pub but never entered.

The warm welcome we both received told me that my instincts were right. The staff we met were super friendly and we were able to relax in the cool shade of the garden with a lemonade and a delicious doggy ice-cream. It was quietly busy with local residents and the staff were serving with enthusiasm some very delicious sounding dishes.

The senior staff member who served us came out for a chat and was very knowledgeable about the menus, service times and booking availability. Ye Old Swan is dog friendly and she also gave us advice about booking for example: Sunday Lunch

Whilst washing the remainder of the ice cream off Benson’s muzzle I was able to view the interior of the pub which was beautifully and sympathetically decorated, very spacious and the bathrooms were clean, scented and roomy.

Suitably refreshed we left to conclude our walk back to the car park. I would definitely recommend and return to Ye Old Swan for the hospitality, price point, and the overall ambiance.

Thank you to the team for looking after me and Benson, making us feel welcome and safe, and making a special memory - he loved his ice cream in the shade and enjoyed a nap afterwards! 🍦🐶😍😴

Google’s Five stars are simply not enough for Ye Old Swan - award winning outstanding service!!!...