The Swans in East Dorset

Such a lovely pub. Food amazing. Staff friendly, reasonably priced. Highly recommend and looking forward to visiting again.

Amazing Sunday lunch celebrating my parents 55th Anniversary. Karl and Julie catered for 14 of us plus a dog and it was flawless. Delicious food, welcoming team and great value for money. Can't recommend highly enough and will definitely back. Thankyou.

Took the family for a Sunday lunch as heard it was excellent, I am rather sad to say I found it quite a disappointment. Evidently my favourite the cauliflower cheese had sold out, the brocolli was rather pale and tasteless and the roast potatoes tasted as if they had been boiled previously, nicely crisp on the outside though, sorry chef my home made batter pud was like cardboard could not cut it in order to eat it. Was told we should have come earlier, our slot was for 1pm meals finished at 2pm so thought our time was okay really. Had already had issues with booking a lunch time slot as filled in the Marston's booking form that asked so many questions, but never had a proper confirmation that we had a slot so went and asked and was told not they had not received anything, always best to phone to book I was told!! so much for a computer booking scheme, presume if had not gone there would not have had a table. Said one child was allergic to milk, when we asked about various items they had to go and ask the chef, surely there should be separate menu as other places have for milk free products.

Just want to say a big thank you to The Swans who catered for my family of 22 including children, the food was cooked to perfection, the steaks cooked as asked for. Cannot fault the service at all.

A fantastic family friendly and dog friendly pub, lovely environment and good food, staff were lovely and friendly the food was very well cooked and dog treats available on on the bar.

Friendly pub with a great atmosphere..the food is lovely and the staff are more than happy to adapt to suit your requirements...we went on a Thursday fir steak night and ended up playing rock and roll bingo...great fun!

I come here most days and the staff are always brilliant here, great service all around. There is a wide range of food and drinks which never disappoint. It is also a great pub to bring dogs in.

Veterans Breakfast, Karl and Julie and their incredible team always put on a fabulous breakfast meal Well done guys! Looking forward to next time!

Karl and his staff accommodated 9 of us for my parents wedding anniversary. Every one us enjoyed our meal and drinks that we had too. It was curry night and the beef madras I had was delicious and a nice kick to it like a madras should be and the perfect amount on each plate. I asked for chips instead of rice and was no problem for them. The children loved their chicken dippers meal and were mesmerised by the puddings they had. Overall it was a lovely meal and brilliant service. A lovely pleasant Wednesday evening we had.

Yesterday, I went with my family, to the Swans for a roast. My family have been going there very regularly. When we went to get our carvery, we noticed that all of the vegetables we yellow and insipid. When I ate the beef, it was so chewy I nearly choked on it. My daughter couldn't eat hers and both my parents did not take any vegetables. I never complain. But, I thought about it and I thought well if I spoke to them about it, it would give them the opportunity to put it right. They were very rude and would not talk to me. Although the chef, explained that vegetables are allowed to be kept on the hot plate for 40 minutes. And the vegetables were not even covered up. Last night I was sick with food poisoning. Very disappointed with their customer service. The fact that the restaurant area was almost empty, can mean only one thing, that they clearly have customers to waste.

Friday night 13 family members met for a catch up (4 groups including a 7 & 9 year old) we hadn’t booked an area but the staff were extremely helpful on getting us sitting together. Both the regular and children’s menu gave a good choice. The food was both tasty and well priced. The service was faultless. We will definitely be go back again.

Can't recommend highly enough. Karl, Julie and their Team made my mum's 80th birthday lunch one to remember. Excellent food, drink and service. No mean feat as there were 15 of us! Thankyou!

We've recently had the most amazing experiences and service on a special trip away. Hoping to extend the holiday feeling we visited your premises for drinks and something to eat. Unfortunately, the whole experience couldn't have been so different. The catering staff, especially the extremely rude and unpleasant small male is a disgrace to the business, he is completely unprofessional and the way he spoke to several more mature ladies when they were politely enquiring about food that could affect one of them medically was shocking. To then mimic them to another member of staff is completely unacceptable. I would never except such a childish bully to work for me and we chose to leave rather than to give our custom to such a place that allows this behaviour. Having read certain other reviews it appears this is not a one off.

Great atmosphere & great people. Always a laugh and have some really good events and band nights. Landlord is very welcoming and friendly - Would definitely recommend. :)

We have tried this pub twice and could not get a meal at lunchtime or early evening due to staff shortages. The staff were abrupt and could not tell us when the kitchen would be operating in the future. We won't bother again. We went to the Cafe Aroma and had a great meal - that is our recommendation.

We were here for Sunday Carvery on the 10th March and I cannot fault the food. The meat was cooked to perfection, the vegetables were all cooked and piping hot. And don't even get me started on the roast potatoes they were perfect. I can highly recommend the Swans for their Sunday lunch and their main menu is just as good too!!! No complaints from here. Long may it continue.

Disappointing visit, The Carvery wasn't as good as it used to be. Cold Vegetables and the Beef was tough. Their seemed to be a lack of atmosphere, when we visited a couple of years ago, the staff were happy and engaging, sadly not on this occasion.

We are shortly going to be moving to Verwood, so are starting to try out the local hostelries! This was our first visit to the Swans. I suppose that the pub should really be categorised as a locals come sports bar, being, as it is, sandwiched between a large housing estate and Morrisons. The inside reflects this. Having said that, we found the staff to be friendly and efficient and the lamb shanks that we had for lunch were really very good, as was my pint of Razorback! I think that this was the first of what may be many visits.

Veterans breakfast is perfect , nice company and great value help yourself buffet. A great place to make new friends or just enjoy the breakfast

Being new to Verwood, I have tried twice to take my family for an evening pub meal only to find that they are not serving food. I accepted the first visit but cannot be happy when I found that a week later, they were still not serving food. There is a shortage of good pub/restaurants in this area and I thought that this establishment would be taking advantage of that fact - poor management and presentation may be a factor here!!

I like going here, due to normally a reasonable choice of ales. However, £1.80 for a splash of lemonade into a spirit is unbelievable.

I came into the swans for a few drinks with family and friends, the staff were very rude and arrogant and persistent on doing so, when asking to speak to the manager he was quite simply not interested. I thought this pub had changed for the better with having new owners but this is the worst experience I have ever had in a pub.

The swans is quite honestly the best place in Verwood for a good night out with friends. The drinks are always amazing and very well priced. The food is absolutely fantastic and cannot fault the way my steak was cooked. Cannot recommend the Swans highly enough. Well done Karl and Julie you really have made it a proper local!

I’ve had a few meals here now and each time I leave very happily satisfied with the food and the service and value for money. A great selection of local and national beers as well as really good coffee for the tee total! Brilliant! Keep it up guys n gals.

Was here on Christmas Day for lunch and the service and food was excellent couldn’t recommend it enough and the staff are so friendly and welcoming would definitely be coming back

Brilliant atmosphere, staff all very friendly and welcoming. Landlord and lady are Brilliant interact with customers and make you feel welcome. Food is absolutely brilliant and great value for money offering a range of food. Sunday roast you can't beat ! Highly recommend coming here weather for a bingo or quiz night, a meal out or just a social drink your always made to feel welcome.

The pub recently taken over by Julie and Karl. They have turned this pub around and they have made it an amazing local for us. They have regular event nights. Discos, bingo, and more!!! Also their food is amazing. Perfectly cooked and tasty. I cannot praise this pub or its staff enough. Lots of friends made and long may it continue!!

Veterans Breakfast Club , a new event and definitely worth it , great breakfast and nice company. First Saturday of the month I believe, 9 -11 am

Never visited the Swans before. I live 8 miles away, but went on this occasion with two friends who were new to the area. I'd heard it was a nice pub and that they had live music that evening. The available catering far exceeded that...

Absolutely brilliant steak meal cooked to perfection. The staff were amazing - so friendly & welcoming. Definitely visiting again.

We needed a reasonably priced restaurant that could cater for six adults, three small children and a dog. Swans went to a lot of trouble for us. The children were provided with colouring pencils and paper and our dog was allowed to lie quietly under...

I went for dinner with my sister and 3 year old niece, Absolutely amazing food and the staff were so friendly they couldn’t do enough to help. Great experience I can highly recommend,

The previous landlord Chris did a tremendous job of turning the pub around, making it a warm and welcoming place to come. Fortunately, the new landlord continues to make The Swans a great place to go. Monday to Thursday there are deals on different food....

Good to to see the Swans in safe hands , pulled pork baguette was great , looking forward to some great events in the future , ex matelot , rugby fan , happy days , Armed Forces Day event coming up in June , please...

Not great experience. Garlic mushrooms were still froze, rice was cold and chicken like warm. Mentioned this to the server who replaced meal and when we went to pay asked If there was anything taken off the bill to be told why what was the...

Came in with a couple of mates for the rugby and it was a great environment for the rugby very busy and grate service by the bar staff, especially from Alison and Ella they were very friendly and helpful when needed and was served at...

Great atmosphere, team very welcoming. Will definitely be back, maybe to test run the bingo night they run on a Thursday! Thanks for having us!

Came in on a Friday night and found it was a band night. Absolutely amazing evening fantastic staff as always and a really enjoyable night. Hopefully they can get another band in soon.

Fantastic evening with brilliant entertainment and a Halloween fancy dress party to boot. Came in for some birthday drinks and found out that Chris Payn was playing. So enjoyed the music and entertainment and a few drinks

Have been several times for Sunday Carvery and has always been excellent but this time the beef was tough and grizzly hence the lower rating. Also the Yorkshire puds not as good as usual ( Didn't rise )

Steak and a pint night with a fabulous atmosphere and a quiz to boot every other Thursday, what luck. Found a hidden gem of a pool table near the back, perfect for a quite game away form the main pub

I arrived for curry night and I can't tell you how impressed I was the curry I had was delicious and piping hot, well presented and although the kitchen was busy there was no delay or drop in the standard of service provided.

Service was very poor even although it was very quiet. Did not feel comfortable with one table of local worthies discussing how to get a FIX and how to cheat the next door Morrisons. Definitely will not be back.

great meal three choices of meat all of which were moist and tender . good selection of vegetables .Staff very helpful and provided a bowl of water for our dog who was made welcome. All in all a very happy experience. Well done

Visited the swans yesterday for a little family gathering. Was very impressed with the food, very good value and tasted great! The service on the bar and floor from James was fantastic and very accommodating. Great work!

Came in with my family. We were a large table, which they accommodated for us. Lloyd was fantastic, serving us quickly and went above and beyond for us, making sure all our needs were met. He had great knowledge on the new drinks menu, suggesting...

The swans was very accommodating, Fran the landlady was very helpful and provided a quick a speedy service. Drinks we’re really good quality and very refreshing. Exalt what we needed on a hot day! Overall everyone was extremely friendly, staff were great. A good local...

Was a very friendly visit to the pub as very helpful and one other the members of staff went above and beyond with expectations who was sienna.

While on holiday near the New Forest, we stopped for lunch at Swans. We ordered the veggie burger and chips and two cold lagers. We were able to bring our labrador inside which was a bonus. Our meal was served quickly and piping hot, just...

My husband and I along with my parents came today for the Sunday Carvery and was not disappointed. Unlike the more well known "Toby Carvery" restaurant's this Carvery was exceptional and exactly what a Carvery should be. The meat - today Beef, Turkey and Gammon...

Visited today for Easter and my birthday. Every member of staff are so helpful and welcoming, including the young lads. It is so refreshing. Carvery is great and excellent value. Felt so welcome and relaxed, and, even though it was busy, the staff were still...

Stopped by on a trip back from Bournemouth with my elderly mother and my daughter. They had an excellent meal and as usual the staff were friendly. Looking forward to my next visit as the new menu looks great

Amazing meal well done. Staff and service is as excellent as always, and I highly recommend to friends family and work colleagues to try the swans out.

After driving about 290 miles last Friday, we decided to support a local pub! Arrived chose a table, selected the meals from the menu, went to the bar to order, and was told "kitchen closed"this was a Friday evening at 7-45! Snowballed out! Yet again...

Good all round experience. Visited with 5 friends and 5 dogs on Sunday lunchtime. Immediately a young barman bought a bowl of water for the dogs. Four of us had the Carvery which was great - especially the Yorkshire puddings which were home-made rather than...

Came in Sunday lunch this week 13/2. Was not disappointed by the carvery, the meat was tender and melt in the mouth. Good selection of classic carvery veg, sides and a stunning gravy. Worth a visit will be in again soon!

I support a couple with a learning disability who love going to the Swans. The managers create an environment of inclusivity and as such we are always warmly welcomed by all staff. For the booked Valentines meal, we arrived and the staff had decorated the...

Thank you everyone at the Swans for welcoming us. We were a group of hungry runners, we had precooked our meals which were all brought out on time and all together, it was tasty, and those that had your curries gave them a big thumbs...

Thank you so much to Fran, Chris and all the staff for making it a special Christmas after what has been such a difficult year. Absolutely excelled yourselves , very friendly atmosphere , lovely food and great service.

We come as a family to the Swans frequently. The pub has seen many changes over they years but Chris and Fran, the managers, have turned it around after very poor management a few years ago from a previous manager. If you plan to eat...

We moved to Verwood in August 2021 and Swans was the first place we had a meal in. We were not disappointed and have been going back ever since. We have had many meals there since then and it has become our local pub. All...

Came in during the week for a xmas set meal. The food was piping hot, served promptly and with friendly service from the bar staff. Would always recommend the swans, look forward to what the new year brings

We go to the Swans every Tuesday evening. We are a group of 6 people a mix of work colleagues and friends. We have dinner every visit and have very good food. Can never fault it. Staff are always friendly and very helpful.

We booked for a family Christmas meal for 12 of us. Unfortunately 5 of our party were unable to come due to illness, however, the Managers were very understanding about this. Our food was amazing, attention to detail on the plate was Michelin star standard....

Me and a few mates had a few drink and fancied some food. Food was really tasty and good value for money. Pints were cheap and the atmosphere was good. Staff were friendly and really helpful.

Loved it fast friendly clean efficient staff were top notch 100% go again maybe quiz night with the kids 😀

Came in to the swans after hearing a new menu was released recently. Was bkt disappointed, good prices and very good food. The mega meals are just that, and good value, had the mixed gril and it was huge, struggled to eat. Rest of the...

We went as a family for an early evening meal and while the Pub was busy, the food was hot and fresh, the beer cold and crisp and the service was second to none, for a small community Pub, the owners have certainly got the...

New menu , excellent choice and great price , can recommend the chilli cheese Burger , as always a really nice pub

It’s my 1st time at the swans and the Carvery was brilliant except the potatoes was black like coal would recommend I am the boy who took glasses up to the bar and look like slim shady

Good wholesome food. Service very pleasant and speedy. Pub was busy because of football being on TV but we were still well looked after. The double Cheese and Bacon burger was massive and the Hunters Chicken excellent.

Nice friendly community pub which a group of us visit after our brass band rehearsals . Thank goodness we can now resume in small groups and it’s great to go for a pint afterwards. In the past the beer was a little inconsistent but since...

Just had one of the best bacon cheeseburgers I have tasted in a while. To top it off the service was friendly and was covid safe.

Came in to the swans after work for few drinks. Was greeted at the door and asked to do track abd and trace. Ordering was quick and simple. Perfectly poured Guinness which is always good. Performing well, keep up the good work!

Lovely restaurant and beer garden in our local town, had a great early evening meal with my partner out in the garden.Staff were polite, helpful and very accomadating when we visited.They provided the track and trace system, which was easy to navigate and it was an overall great experience.The food was lovely, the waitress made a point of letting us know about options with the meals we had ordered and she also gave us adequate time to decide what we would like too.We didn't wait overly long for our meals, which was great, it was served piping hot too which was perfect.Would definitely make a return visit here for food and drinks as it was a very relaxed community atmosphere, the staff were super friendly and most people knew each other.

Huge thanks to Fran, Chris and all the team for making Christmas Day very special , lovely food, and great service , thank you for all your hard work

Visited here today with my family . What a lovely wee pub this is. Such a warm welcome and lovely staff. Superb hot food. Great choice offered for both adults and children. Highly recommend. Warm and friendly. Don’t just drive by, stop and enjoy. Will always come back!

Was a very good day, We was greeted at the door by a lovely lady to tell us all the rules and regulations and for us to do the track and trace and then showed us to a table. We were served straight away for drinks and are food we didn’t need to wait long till are food was done and the food was amazing and would recommend the minted lamb shank. But overall is was a lovely and safe environment to enjoy a drink and a meal

Came in today for a meal and some drinks and was greeted at the door where rules were explained and track and trace followed.Staff were all friendly andbi particularly found the landlord Chris, after a friendly chat with him to be knowledgeable on pubs and covid rules, which was reassuring in these difficult times.All in all a good experience will return and hope they all keep up the hard work

My partner and I visited The Swans for a meal and a couple of drinks. We were promptly met at the door by the Landlady who was very welcoming and polite. She explained all the rules and regulations and showed us to our table. Even though it was quite busy we were recognised and served quickly by a very helpful and polite waiter. He took our drink order and they were brought over within a few minutes and then took our food order. The food came out swiftly; I had the minted lamb shank which was beautiful cooked, the meat fell off the bone and the veg and gravy were gorgeous. My partner had the cheese and bacon burger which he said was very delicious and filling. We were checked often to see if we needed anything or anymore drinks which I thought was brilliantly handled and really nice to see. The food was reasonably priced and there was a good selection of food to choose from even with the limited menu. We really enjoyed our evening at The Swans. The atmosphere was friendly and welcoming and the social distancing and regulations made us feel very comfortable and safe. The staff were incredible; polite, helpful and happy. All staff are doing an amazing job in these tough and strange times. Thank you everyone.

Visited here with family so party of 6 which included my 2 year old grandson on arrival we were told either family area or garden we opted for family area waited a good 10 minutes before bar staff finally came out seeing this was at 6.25 pm it was hardly busy drinks ordered and paid for and brought to our table our 2 old was running around a bit in the garden near our table as most 2 years old do but managed to run into the main entrance to which my wife quickly followed him and picked him up a few minutes later a barman came out saying keep your kid under control I said its a garden area what shall I do sit on him to which he replied yes if thats what it takes he did not have a mask on which I thought staff had to other staff did though and he promptly went out front to have a cigarette a couple on table next to us couldnt believe his attitude nor could we and one said obviously he has no kids we drank up swiftly and left and descended on another nearby local pub where we was again sat in garden with our 2 year old with staff serving drinks and acknowledgement of him playing will not return and suggest staff get trained in customer relations

Visited with friends that live in the area. The COVID guidance was very well explained and we felt very safe with the socially distanced seating. Our food was superb and we were served by two young waiters who were very attentive. We will definitely return, well done The Swans!

We visited the restaurant midweek while staying in the area.The restaurant shares a car park with the nearby Morrisons supermarket so there is plenty of parking.The covid precautions were excellent with names taken, sanitizer provided and well spaced tables so we felt safe.The menu was basic typical of the large pub/restaurant chains and was reasonably priced eg I had a steak with although priced at £10 was very nice and tasty.A good place to eat if you are in the area but probably not worth a journey to visit.

Worried about eating out in these crazy times? Don't be ...we recently visited the Swans in Verwood and were made to feel extremely safe, a member of staff at the door explained the Covid rules to us and we were shown to our table which was lovely and clean and all tables spaced out. Staff were very friendly, helpful and polite and the food was cooked to perfection and served quickly, as people left tables were being sanitized ready for the next customers and hand sanitizer was available around the pub and by the entrance and exit, we were very impressed and will definately be visiting again.All I can say is if you fancy a meal.out pop to The Swans and give them a try I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

The whole team are courteous polite and professional. The food is great, English pub food and more. Served hot and quickly. We felt safe eating here in these Covid ravaged times. We come back again and again for good food that is very reasonable.

My husband and I went to The Swans at Verwood for lunch. What a lovely place.We were greeted by a very charming lady who was most helpful as were the rest of the staff. In fact all the staff could not have been more helpful. The atmosphere was very warming. We both ordered steak. The service was very speedy and the steak was cooked to perfection. We were really impressed and we shall most definitely go there again.

Had a wonderful meal with friends, I had steak, it was cooked to perfection, great portion size. Staff very friendly and helpful, would definitely recommend for a evening out.

Friendly table and bar service, large family friendly establishment. OK food no finesse sticky tables and sticky chairs. A Morrisons pub in a Morrisons car park. I never knew they existed however exactly same as every other family friendly large chain type food pub. If you got little kids and want to eat out on the cheap this is the place for you. I really don't know how people think its acceptable to leave a table sticky. I watched the poor lady who had to serve and clear tables, spray the table top then wipe using the same cloth that was bundled with the spray bottle. No attempt to catch the food debris knocked onto the floor and even more worrying left the table wet which a group of young adults just totally ignored as they were ushered to the same table for seating... Should of just used another dry cloth to wipe away then it would of been dry and clean not sticky. My jumper, my kids tops all sticking to the table we ate from. I would of given a lower rating but this is normal in many large chain restaurant that caters on mass for families and staffed mainly by young adults. However the food was plain but plentiful and for the price what I expected.

Came in with my partner for a dinner the other night. The food was fantastic. The portion size was great and my partner and I left feeling full. All the staff were extremely helpful and very polite. All the precautions put in place made me feel extremely comfortable. Thank you for a fantastic experience!

Had a meal on the eat out deal, good sized portions. Friendly knowledgeable staff and a chilled atmosphere. Clean tables and hand sanatiser dotted about and general cleanliness is to a good standard.

Managed to book a table during the Eat in to help out deals. Upon entering was met by a member of staff at the door that explained the Covid rules. Shown the way to the restaurant side of pub. Very clean and everyone spaced out so didn’t feel uncomfortable with other guests around. Food really nice. Staff friendly. Kept cleaning after people left there tables that made me feel safe. Definitely will return. Glenn T

So good to see our local open again , great work by Chris and Fran and all the staff to make it safe , welcome back !

Enjoyed a lovely family birthday meal this evening for 16 people, the service was excellent and the food was great value for money , big thanks to Chris Fran and staff for being so accommodating. 😁

Sunday lunch good Value for money you’ve got to love a carvery that you can choose from No screaming children

Take a pub that is perfectly placed to be a centre for the community, add two people that gained fame at a previously unloved pub and you have a recipe for success.This is exactly what has happened at the Swans. Chris Poole, formerly the landlord of the Elephant and Castle in West Moors and his partner have reinvigorated a pub that had become a little run down. He has recreated the food that he was famed for previously and has produced an atmosphere that is being enjoyed by many in the community.

A fantastic evening out with family and friends, food was brilliant, music excellent, Chris and fran thank you for the wonderful evening seeing out the old year and welcoming in the new year.

Had a wonderful evening, Buffet was very good, Music, very good, I wish to thank Chris and Fran and the lovely staff who made the evening a pleasure to be there. GREAT EVENING 👍🏻

Many thanks to Fran and Chris and all the staff for a great Christmas dinner and all the effort you made

My partner and I went for Christmas dinner today. What can I say but it was amazing. Food was excellent. Table decorated beautiful. Well done Fran and Chris. Also the staff doing the waiting. Well done . X

We booked a table for 8 for the Festive menu on Wednesday December 4th for 13.00. On arrival we were greeted by a lovely decorated Christmas table, set out with our place name card and what we had ordered and inside a little Christmas greeting. The meal was excellent as was the service and attention to detail and every effort was made to ensure we enjoyed our visit. We have been having this annual get together for at least the last 25 years at various pubs and restaurants in Dorset and Hampshire and this one rates as one of the best. Thank you from us all.