THE BLACK SWAN AT OCKHAM PLUS

It was gone 1700 hours before we received the mains and that was after complaining. All around us people were arriving at their tables and were eating their mains before we had received ours. Most of our group did not eat their starter. The wood pigeon was luke warm and the portions were miniscual. We were on the second bottle of wine and about 45 minutes later when the starters arrived. Absolutely tasteless except for being sickly sweet. The first part of the meal arrived which was a small portion of some sort of butternut soup. We first ordered drinks which took about 25 minutes to arrive and then one beer was missing which they did bring to the table eventually. It’s important to come with a leisurely meal in mind, bring your hat, sunscreen and enjoy your time at The Black Swan lazing in the sun.Christmas Day. The food, though a bit pricey, was lovely and the bustle in the garden made for a pleasurable time. We enjoyed our afternoon at The Black Swan in Ockham. Even the sorbet was outstanding and came perched on a piece of almond brittle. Though stuffed we were intrigued by the ‘flourless almond & orange cake with orange sorbet £6.95’ (gluten & wheat free) so decided to share one. £14.50’ The mustard sauce was a subtly flavoured and the duck egg really pulled the dish together. Marie had the ‘poached fillet of smoked haddock, spring onion potato cake, sauteed spinach, poached duck egg, with white wine mustard sauce. £16.50’ The fish was nice and the tomatoes insanely yummy. Neither of them appealed to us – crayfish or Oxford blue.Īnn opted for the ‘chargrilled swordfish, olive oil mash, grilled courgettes, roast tomato & gremolata. Yet there are only two salads, both listed under the starters with an option to have as a main. There’s also a reasonably large bbq menu on top of the normal menu. The menu is extensive even by gastropub standards.

THE BLACK SWAN AT OCKHAM PLUS

The regular indoor one plus an outdoor kitchen with bbq that serves up ginormous burgers that actually come with sides. Two kitchens support the large outdoor space. There is also a very good (young) children’s play area. After an hour and some keen watching we finally got one, but left considerably more pink than we’d arrived. With the sun bearing down it was a bunfight whenever one was freed up.

Yet there were hardly any umbrellas, we counted 9. Arriving right at 12 meant Marie could save her back by securing one of the tables with proper chairs.

It’s is a mix of outdoor sofas, outdoor tables & chairs and picnic tables. Outside provides roomy outdoor seating for a few hundred. Reservations practically essential for inside. Though even on this beautiful day it was fully booked inside. Different rooms have a different characteristic – from an open fire to a vaulted ceiling. The pub has masses of space around it and feels very country pub. Located on a country lane lined with hedges and farmer fields behind. It wasn’t as issue for us but it caused some friction at the table near us as they were vying to get their order into the kitchen first. Which created a good buzz but understandably made for a longer than usual wait for food and some overwhelmed servers. Summer weather + Sunday = Pub garden! We decided to test out the garden at The Black Swan gastropub in Ockham to see why it’s so popular.īeing a sunny Sunday the pub was packed, inside and out.

The black swan at ockham