Stick to the Glue Pot: Pub Crawl in Swindon

Last updated : 11 January 2009 By Shrimpers24
There are two breweries in Swindon, both significant ones.

Arkells dates back to 1843 and is still run by the original family. Remains very much in the 'regional brewer' tradition, of which there used to be dozens and dozens and now sadly are very few.

A smallish range of beers, a hundred or so tied houses, and steeped in its locality. Arkells has a long association with Swindon Town FC, witness the Arkells Stand you will probably be in. 2B (session) and 3B (Best) are its older beers, dating back to the early years of the Nineteenth Century. Kingsdown Ale was originally created to celebrate Swindon Town's winning of the League Cup in 1969. It went into regular production in the mid-Seventies as the demand for stronger beers increased, it's 5%.

More recently the brewery has followed the market further with the introduction of an organic honey ale called Bee's, and most recently a smooth (spit) called er, Smooth. There are six seasonal brews: JRA, Yeomanry, Summer Ale, Peter's Porter in autumn, Mash-Tun Mild in winter and the 5.5% Noël Ale at Christmas as a 'winter warmer.'


Archers
is in its own way just as typical of the modern independent brewers that have arisen in the last few decades in reaction to the national and indeed global giants as Arkells is of an older tradition.

Starting in 1979 in a twelve barrels plant it has expanded not by building up an estate in one locality but by supplying anyone and everyone interested. Now dealing with around 2,500 outlets you are just as likely to randomly run into Archers beers in Devon, Cheshire or London as you are in Wiltshire.

There is also a trend for these modern brewers to experiment to death. In their first quarter of a century Archers have produced well over 150 different brews, the vast majority virtual one offs for particular occasions or even a single beer festival. Very few are likely to be repeated. They produce five regulars pretty much throughout the year: (in order of strength) Village Bitter (session), Best Bitter, Special Bitter, Golden Bitter, SSB. There are around ten seasonal beers. Marley's Ghost, brewed for Christmas and the New Year, is an absolute killer.

Alcohol is available within the ground to away fans in the Arkells Stand (but not in the open Stratton Bank End).

Top Pubs:

Glue Pot

Glue Pot: After that build up I'm recommending a pub that sells beer brewed in Salisbury, but still in Wiltshire, and it's very good. 10 minutes walk from the rail station. Best way from there is to go in a straight line from the station, past the GW Hotel on the left turning right at the lights, walk past several pubs, but don't be tempted, keep going in a straight line, it's hidden away on the right.

This is a great pub, small but perfectly formed. It has a fine choice of beers, Hopback/Downton, and for those of you who like cider there is a good choice as well. A good old fashioned local and if you like a decent pint then this is the place to start. Serves basic pub grub, well cooked. 20 minutes to the ground, get back on Manchester Road on the map below. 5 Emlyn Square.


Follow the Yellow Brick Road to reach the arrow and the Glue Pot, back on the Manchester Road for the ground

Steam Railway

Steam Railway Co.: Large pub, twenty minutes walk from the stadium and into the Old Town. Good all-rounder for real ale addicts and the lads who want a game of pool.

Has nine handpumps with Fuller's London Pride, Wadworth 6X and Charles Wells Bombardier as the regulars and up to six guests, one of which is always from the Adnams range. Carlsberg, Fosters, Kronenbourg, John Smiths Smooth, Guinness and Strongbow Cider also available. Children welcome until early evening, pool table and darts, sport shown on six TV's around the pub and a big screen in the roofed courtyard. There's a car park (not the pub's) virtually opposite. 14, Newport Street.


Not as far way as it looks, at the end of Drove Road, past the Park, is the ground

See the floodlights:


And you can, to the left

County Ground Hotel:
Not actually a full hotel any more, but does do B&B. An Arkells house, it's the closest pub to the County Ground. Right beside it in fact. As such it's very much home fans, and you are almost certain to be refused entry in away colours and may be denied if they even suspect you are a visiting supporter. If you do get in you'll find pool and Sky Sports. Has a garden and parking. 115, County Road.


I think your getting it now, there's Manchester Road, the pub and ground next to the arrow


Outside the station:


If you can't be bothered to walk far from the station, the GW Hotel Bar and Grill will stare you right in the face as you get out of your coach from Reading. Serves good food as well as two versions of Arkells, a guest ale and all the usual suspects. Go back out to the road by the right of the pub, walk up, turn left at the lights onto the Manchester Road and you'll see the floodlights. 15 minutes.

Weatherspoons:

Savoy

The Savoy is a good example of the chain at the top of the high street, (Regent Street). One of the best in League One, up there with the Cheltenham Weatherspoons; plenty of staff, plenty of room, and plenty of choices. If your going on a budget you'll be tempted by the 99p Green King, just make sure it's before it's sell by date!


Straight up from the station, go back down towards Corporation Street and all roads right lead to the County Ground, 20 minutes

For the lads:

The Merlin: Drove Road. 'Sports Bar' orientated pub around five or so minutes walk south of the stadium. Has 8 TV's, 2 plasma TV's, a 67" plasma screen, 3 pool tables, dartboard, and video juke box. Real ales are Greene King IPA, Ruddles County, and a rotating guest. Also on draught are Fosters, Kronenbourg, Stella, Carlsberg, John Smiths, Guinness, Guinness Extra Cold, Strongbow Cider. All lagers are served iced - if that excites you. Food is served lunchtime and early evening. There are parking spaces for 40+ cars. Strictly over 18's, away fans welcome but NOT in colours used to be the rule but not sure if that's still the case.


There's the famous Magic Roundabout at the top, ground behind it

Driving In:

Personally, I'll be starting in Highworth, 7 miles from Swindon, where I lived for nearly a decade. It's home to 9 pubs, all within walking distance, and all pretty good.

However, the choice will be the Saracens Hotel down the High Street. All the Arkells range on offer and a regularly changed guest ale. Always employs a fine chef for food before and after the game.

Easy to get to, especially if driving in from the M4. Leave at Junction 15 and on to the A419 into Swindon. Turn off at the Rat Trap Roundabout, take the 1st exit onto the A361 (signposted Highworth, Burford).

Leave the car there, there's a car park opposite the Saracens, and get the No. 7 to the ground or drive into town but give yourself a good hour hour due to traffic and finding a parking space.

The No. 7 can also be caught from the main Swindon bus station, near the train station. Buy a day return from the driver, 30 mts. journey. Leave by 2 but can get off one stop earlier by the County Road, you'll see the crowd.

Fancy going now? Find the quickest and most cost effective ways to get to Swindon here: www.thelittlegazette.com/news/loadsngl.asp?cid=EDW4&id=426357

(Many thanks to the hardened drinkers at www.ciderspace.co.uk for their help with this article.)