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| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Real ale / craft | Hop Kettle, The Little Hop, The Tuppeny, Glue Pot |
| Live music | The Beehive, The Victoria |
| Food-focused | Woodlands Edge, The Merlin |
| Village / country | The Bell Purton, Heart in Hand Blunsdon |
Source: swindonpubs.com
Real ale and craft beer
Devizes Road and the surrounding area has become a hub for beer lovers, with several pubs known for their rotating cask and keg selection:
- Hop Kettle (51 Devizes Road, SN1 4BG) – Strong Google ratings. Known for a well-kept selection of real ale and wine, plus a simple food menu. Popular with locals.
- The Little Hop (7 Devizes Road, SN1 4BJ) – Smaller, cosy pub with a log fire in winter. Good beer range; food available from a sister pub nearby.
- The Tuppeny (58–59 Devizes Road, SN1 4BD) – Solid ratings and 5-star food hygiene. Part of the Devizes Road beer strip.
- The Hop Inn (8 Devizes Road, SN1 4BH) – Another well-rated option on the same stretch.
- The Glue Pot (5 Emlyn Square, Railway Village, SN1 5BP) – Traditional pub in the historic Railway Village. Unpretentious, with a focus on quality ales.
Beer festivals and variety
- The Drink Valley (Fleet Square, SN1 1RU) – Hosts beer festivals and has a strong reputation for variety and service. 5-star food hygiene.
Live music and atmosphere
- The Beehive (55 Prospect Hill, SN1 3JS) – Quirky pub with a loyal following. Regular live bands and a friendly crowd.
- The Victoria (88 Victoria Road, SN1 3BD) – Live music venue in Old Town. Welcoming atmosphere. See our Victoria guide and Old Town restaurants for more nearby options.
Food-focused pubs
Pubs known for their food and family-friendly setups:
- The Woodlands Edge (Midwinter Close, Peatmoor) – Woodlands Edge Swindon is a popular Hungry Horse pub near Peatmoor with two bars and a garden. Known for food, Sunday roasts and pub classics. See our Woodlands Edge guide for menu and booking – it can get busy at weekends.
- The Merlin Swindon (Drove Road, SN1 3AG) – The Merlin pub Swindon is well-rated for food and drink. Popular for meals and occasions. See our Merlin guide for menu and opening times.
Country and village pubs
For a drive out of town, these pubs in the wider Swindon area score highly:
- The Bell, Purton (Purton Stoke, SN5 4JG) – Country pub with strong ratings and 5-star food hygiene.
- Heart in Hand (43 High Street, Blunsdon, SN26 7AG) – Village pub with 5-star food hygiene.
More options across Swindon
Other well-rated pubs include The Savoy (Regent Street), Goddard Arms (Old Town High Street), The Roaring Donkey (Old Town), The Victoria (Victoria Road – live music), and The Plough on the Hill (Marlborough Road). Many have 5-star food hygiene ratings.
What's your favourite pub in Swindon?
How to choose and stay up to date
Google ratings and reviews change over time. Before visiting, it's worth checking the pub's own website or social media for opening hours, food menus, and any events. For a comprehensive, searchable guide to pubs across Swindon and the surrounding area – including filters for live music, riverside locations, dog-friendly, Sunday lunch, and sports – see swindonpubs.com.
For restaurants and food, see our guides to best restaurants and Old Town restaurants.
Information correct as of February 2026. Ratings, opening hours, and menus can change. Check each pub's website or Google listing before visiting.