Depending on how much of a regular you really are, one Bristol neighbourhood pub is known by three different names and often four.
Many of the locals know it as The Black Swan - the official name on the sign outside - but even more refer to this 19th-century pub in Westbury-on-Trym as The Dirty Duck or The Mucky Duck. Those drinkers who have been coming here for years, simply call it ‘The Duck’.
With its thick stone walls, old brewery mirrors and open fires in both bars, The Black Swan has a genuine village pub feel.
In the left-hand snug, there’s an additional room called ‘The Boardroom’ with a single table for locals to congregate and put the world to rights over a few pints.
Another area is called ‘Arnage Corner’ (named after the legendary spot at Le Mans race track), its walls covered with photos of pub regulars with their collectable cars - from Andy’s 1968 MKII Lotus Cortina Series 1 to Bob’s Reliant Scimitar 1800 Ti.
Now run by Wickwar Wessex Pub Company, with friendly manager Steph Coles at the helm, this lovely local has gone from strength to strength.
As well as Wickwar’s own real ales (on this visit, Bob and Falling Star), there are premium lagers (Corona, Amstel and Birra Moretti) as well as Guinness and three draught ciders - Inch’s, Thatchers Gold and Blackthorn Dry.
My pint of Bob was in excellent condition and its £4.70 price tag was no surprise in a postcode area where houses routinely hit the £1m mark and more. Visit the pub between 3pm-7pm, Monday to Thursday, and some pints are reduced to £4 including Amstel and Inch’s.
The pub is spacious with plenty of HDTVs showing Sky and TNT Sports, and there’s a good-sized beer garden as well as seating at the front.
A local pub where dogs and children (until 8pm) are welcome, there’s also a 10% ‘blue light’ discount for NHS and emergency workers. A nice touch from a pub at the heart of the community.
Here are seven photos of a popular city suburb pub that retains a friendly village atmosphere.
The Black Swan, 92 Stoke Lane, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, BS9 3SP.
1. Suntrap
As well as a beer garden at the back, there is plenty of seating in the sun at the front
2. Snug
The Boardroom is a snug area where locals meet and put the world to rights
3. Well-stocked
There is a good range of local real ales and ciders as well as premium lagers and spirits.
4. Gallery
Arnage Corner has a gallery of photos of pub regulars with their collectable cars