The Swan
Open 10am till 11pm
Food served 12pm till 10pm
Call 023 8028 2203

Come Visit Us

The Swan
Swan Green,
Emery Down,
Lydhurst,
Hampshire,
SO43 7DT

Found deep in the new forest, we appriciate that we are sometimes difficult to find.

Below you will find a google map, you can get directions provided by filling in your address in the box below, or just view the larger map using the link below the map.

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The Bar

At The Swan, we stock a good range of cask-conditioned ales including beers from the local CAMRA award winning Ringwood Brewery.

We also keep a wide range of chilled soft drinks which are suitable for drivers or our younger guests.

Our range of Red, White, Rosé and Gales Country Wines are served by the glass or by the bottle.

Beers

As a public house and eatery in the New Forest National Park, we cater for a wide range of tastes. Paul & Jenna provide a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, as well as keeping Cask Marque accredited real ale. 

Barrells

For the lager fraternity we have Becks Vier and Stella Artois to name two, we also stock a range of drinks for those people who are driving.

Among our draught ciders like Strongbow we have Aspall's Suffolk Cider, established in 1728, and well worth a try.

In hot weather during the New Forest summers, there is nothing more refreshing than one of the 'extra cold' beers like Guinness. For added comfort and ambience we have large outside seating areas where you can enjoy the fresh new forest air.

Real Ales from Ringwood Brewery's award winning beers are brewed in the traditional way using only the finest ingredients: premium malted barley from Hampshire, Dorset and Devon together with hops from the best growers in Kent and Worcestershire. The rest is down to their famous yeast strain and the skill and dedication of their brewers. We hope you enjoy the fruit of their endeavour.

As you would expect, we stock Ringwood Brewery's Best Bitter all year round and our range is supplemented by their seasonal beers. Ringwood's beers have long been a favourite among local people and tourists find the taste a refreshing new experience.

History

The Swan Inn was originally called the Swan Alehouse and the publican was one Andrew Eastram. The site has had several uses over time including New Forest pony sales in the yard which were formerly held on the green. The fairground that accompanied the sales remained on the village green. A major event in the New Forest Calendar that can be dated back to the mid nineteenth century. As road traffic was on the increase (not a new problem) the pony sales and fair were moved in 1922 to just outside of Lyndhurst.

In the 1960's the building became Swan Garage and Car Hire. As well as car repairs and car hire it also had a petrol station. The business was very successful and grew to become Swan National Car Hire with subdivisions like Swan National Leasing. Continued expansion included mergers with other car hire companies.

Fire almost completely destroyed The White Swan on 28th January 2006 and ninety four fire-fighters tackled the blaze for four hours. According to the Fire Service the fire started in the roof in the early hours of the morning. The pub landlady and her son escaped unhurt and the A35 was closed in both directions. A rebuild produced the landmark on the main A35 that it is today.

The White Swan public house was purchased by a local New Forest lad in 2008 and, after refurbishment of the kitchens and first floor accommodation, reopened as The Swan Inn in late summer.

Within the hostelry is a superb picture of Harry Brusher Mills, the New Forest Snake Catcher, a well known figure in his day. He was born on 19th March 1840 and lived near Bank in a small wooden construction of his own making called a 'widwan'.

Brusher earned his living catching snakes for the Zoological Gardens in London or removing them from people's gardens. Often asked if he had any snakes on his travels he would reach into his pockets, pull out his catch and throw them onto the nearest table or the ground. At times he carried the snakes in a tin or tied to a stick which he carried over his shoulder. He also made walking sticks and travelled to the various fairs to sell them and pick up a coin or two from the tourists.

There are two stories on how he was named 'Brusher', some say he brushed the wickets on the local cricket pitch while others say he brushed the pitch. Although Brusher was actually a tramp he was a likeable and interesting character. He was often photographed and featured on some of the colour picture postcards of F.G.O. Stuart, an early postcard publisher in Southampton.

The Croll Seat

In the same area of the pub is the story of The Croll and a bench is dedicated to his tale. 

Long ago, travelling in this area meant crossing moorland and dense forest. Many were the fortunes who were lost, never to be seen again.

Then stories began to be told of lost souls being found and helped by a mysterious being called the Croll. This kindly creature would lead them to his dwelling and there treat them as honoured guests, giving them ample food and drink and a warm place to rest before showing them the way. The Croll would take no payment but made his guests promise that, should he ever be in need, they would be as hospitable as he had been. This, of course, they promised, but human nature is human nature and in the course of time many forgot their debt. How many times the Croll was turned away cold and hungry, we shall never know.

For the conclusion of the tale visit The Swan Inn and rest awhile on the Croll Seat.