Swan at Salford, The

Ten minutes from Central Milton Keynes and two minutes from Cranfield, The Swan at Salford is an attractive tile-hung Edwardian pub in a lovely village setting.

Since opening in 2005, The Swan has won a great local reputation, a view endorsed by the British Institute of Innkeepers in 2007 when it voted owner, Andrew Coath, Licensee of the Year (out of 8,000 nominations). You may know The Swan's sister pubs, The Black Horse, Woburn and The Embankment, Bedford.

It would be possible to enlarge upon all this indefinitely, but our purpose here is to tell you about The Swan at Salford and how they put into practice their strongly held principles. Located in a rural setting, The Swan offers the pleasures of a country gastropub within easy reach of the town. Recently given a major overhaul one of the major additions has been a comfortable and relaxed dining room where formality exists only to enhance the experience of those who look for a sense of occasion.

The a la carte menu together with a selection of great Sunday roasts is also served from noon - 4pm and 6.30 - 9.30pm on Sundays and Bank Holidays. The all day menu is not available on Sundays. On sunny days we have a BBQ on the terrace throughout the week and offer an alfresco menu all day everyday.

If you are after a quick bite or a light lunch - just tell them - they'll happily advise on the best options for you.

A typical evening, for instance, offers a pleasurable setting to the after-work unwind groups, and others seeking a special setting for a meal that is reliable rather than over-challenging. This is well-achieved through the abilities of well travelled Head Chef, Neil Simons whose first aim is to assess and meet the expectations of a clientele that knows what it wants.

A meal can start with a visit to the Deli board, either for nibbles or starters - a selection of interesting cheeses, charcuterie, antipasta or fish, as well as an Indian influence. The perfect way to share some of the best products they source. On their menu, you will find the very best quality fresh ingredients - fantastic sausages; free range chicken and eggs; simple, pan-fried fish and seafood; 28 day dry-aged Aberdeenshire steak - sourced from producers who take pride in their products and an ethical stance in their production.

The Swan always makes the most of seasonal ingredients - this ensures they avoid air-freighting and keeps us in touch with the cycle of the year - while combing the best of great British cooking and influences from around the world that are now part of our culture.

The wine list bears the imprint of somebody who knows about wine, and whilst not lengthy is very much to the point. It is always heartening to see well-respected labels in evidence, with prices mostly contained within the £12 - £25 range, offering value for money and well-travelled choices.

The gastropub is not a phenomenon created by the marketing men, it is primarily a reasoned response to public demand. The Swan is a fine example of a thoroughly thought-through answer to that question.

For more information about this attractive gastropub, do take a look at their Website.