If you find you've enjoyed a bit too much Saxon Bronze to safely continue with your journey, you can also stay at the nearby Travelodge on the A303, which is conveniently located about 5 minutes away. After a hearty brekkie the next morning, you’ll find you are perfectly positioned for sightseeing, as you're only half an hour’s drive from the ancient wonders of Stonehenge.
STOPS
The Swan Inn Pub, Barton Stacey
On your marks!...
The Swan Inn, Barton Stacey, is a 300-year-old restored coaching inn and is widely billed as an idyllic village pub. It remains a good old traditional boozer where, in the summer, you can sit outside and enjoy the fresh air. During the colder months, you can warm yourself up by the big open fire, which creates a cozy and welcoming atmosphere.
There is alarge restaurant on-site serving beloved pub favourites, like classic beer-bathed cod and chips. For enthusiasts of local craftsmanship, a variety of real ales are available, and a Winchester b rew called Saxon Bronze (sourced from the renowned Alfred’s Brewery) is a popular choice among locals and visitors alike.
Address
The Swan Inn, Barton Stacey, Winchester, Hampshire SO21 3RL
Directions from Basingstoke
To travel from Basingstoke to The Swan Inn, Barton Stacey, you will cover a distance of approximately 16 miles by following a straightforward route westward. Starting from central Basingstoke, join the A3010 or B3400 to head towards the A30 (Winchester Road), then merge onto the A303 westbound. Continue on the A303 for roughly 12 miles; this stretch is the most common area for general delays, particularly at the "bottleneck" sections near Stonehenge further west or at the major junctions with the A34 (Bullington Cross), where merging traffic often slows down. After passing through the Bullington Cross interchange, take the exit signed for Barton Stacey and follow the local lanes for about a mile into the village, where you will find the inn on the main street.
Useful Links
The Swan Inn, Barton Stacey (Opens in new window) Provides a comprehensive guide for visitors planning a trip to this historic 300-year-old coaching inn. It details the pub's commitment to serving fresh, seasonal, and local food alongside a curated selection of real ales and wines. The site serves as a practical resource for both dining and community engagement:
Dining & Menus: Access to various menus including Lunch, Main, Sunday, and Children's options, plus a specific wine list. It also highlights specialty evenings.
Operational Hours: Specific opening times for both the bar and the kitchen, including notes on early closures if the pub is quiet.
Events & Community: Information on regular social gatherings.
Practical Policies: Details on reservation requirements, takeaway availability, and the necessity of deposits for food bookings.
Contact & Location: Provides the essential address in Barton Stacey, phone number, and email for direct inquiries.
Facebook: The Swan Inn, Barton Stacey (Opens in new window) Provides real-time updates on daily pub life, including seasonal menu additions, rotating local ales, and photos of recent dishes. It also serves as a social calendar for events like live music, quizzes, and the monthly Repair Cafe, while acting as a direct channel for last-minute announcements regarding opening hours and promotions.
X: The Swan Inn, Barton Stacey (Opens in new window) Offers brief, real-time alerts on rotating ales, seasonal menu specials, and upcoming community events. It provides a quick way for visitors to stay updated on the pub’s latest news and local community interactions through short announcements and snapshots of the historic inn.
Instagram: The Swan Inn, Barton Stacey (Opens in new window) Provides a highly visual look at the pub's daily life, focusing on high-quality imagery of seasonal dishes, local real ales, and the historic 300-year-old building. It serves as an aesthetic gallery where visitors can browse "behind-the-scenes" content, highlights from community events like live music and bike nights, and snapshots of the cozy interior and garden spaces.
CAMRA: Swan Inn, Barton Stacey (Opens in new window) Provides details on real ales, facilities, and opening times for this traditional pub. CAMRA (the Campaign for Real Ale) is a consumer group promoting traditional cask cider and perry while protecting classic British pubs from closure through advocacy and their comprehensive pub guides.
Southwark Pub History & Heritage Walking Tour (Opens in new window) And while we're on the subject of pubs, how about a Southwark Pub History & Heritage Walking Tour? Toast 2,000 years of Southwark's vibrant history! Explore iconic pubs like the 17th-century George Inn, learn about brewing and prisons, and sample authentic ales on this fascinating walking tour. Uncover hidden stories, visit Borough Market, Shakespeare's Globe and raise a glass to Southwark's vibrant past and present!
Previous Stop: Basingstoke Stop off at Basingstoke to experience a blend of history and leisure, from the 16th-century Vyne Tudor Mansion to the archaeological treasures housed in the Willis Museum.
Next Stop: Andover Museums The Andover Museum and Museum of the Iron Age are housed together in a historic Georgian townhouse, providing a dual exploration of local heritage.
