The White Swan Mansbridge (from Scene South)

SET back from the busy road and surrounded by greenery and the river, The White Swan, has a very relaxing atmosphere. As the lunchtime rush for the carvery gathers momentum, others sit outside feeding bread to the ducks on the river.

The pub-come-restaurant had a refurbishment earlier this year costing around £400,000. The result is a well-arranged venue with contemporary décor. Plus, most importantly, a simply mouth watering carvery!

The White Swan is soon to receive a Red Tractor Accreditation - that means food arriving at the pub has been produced, transported and packaged in a wholesome and healthy way. The accreditation is to ensure that food is as fresh and free of additives and chemicals as possible. The pub boasts a surprisingly quiet atmosphere considering it sits next to a busy road and close to Southampton Airport.

The venue has also adapted well to this year's smoking ban, having designated smoking and non-smoking areas outside by the river.

He told Scene South: "It's made our establishment a very contemporary drinking and dining experience. To add to the look of the place, I think we have a very relaxed, friendly and welcoming atmosphere."

He added, "If you fancy a riverside walk on a nice day and would like a well earned drink, then our pub is the perfect setting."

I went for a meal with a friend and thought the White swan looked a nice place to go for a meal. I was so dissapointed with the service and was made to feel like i was wasting the staffs time. I ordered a carvery which was dry and left under the hot lamps for some time, no new food was bought out during our stay. I had to wait 45 minuets for somebody to come out serve the meat. My friend had a steak and wasn't offered any sauces to go with her meal. We had to leave our dinner to go to the bar to get another drink even though there were 4 waitresses stood right by us in the quiet resteraunt. Not one person asked us if everything was ok with our food. I've never had such bad service i could understand if it was very busy but there was only 6 other customers in there.

I went for a meal with a friend and thought the White swan looked a nice place to go for a meal.
I was so dissapointed with the service and was made to feel like i was wasting the staffs time.
I ordered a carvery which was dry and left under the hot lamps for some time, no new food was bought out during our stay.
I had to wait 45 minuets for somebody to come out serve the meat.
My friend had a steak and wasn't offered any sauces to go with her meal.
We had to leave our dinner to go to the bar to get another drink even though there were 4 waitresses stood right by us in the quiet resteraunt.
Not one person asked us if everything was ok with our food.
I've never had such bad service i could understand if it was very busy but there was only 6 other customers in there.

I agree with all of he comments made by Julie, regarding the very poor service. Great location. I grew up around there and fancied a little nostalgia from a great pub and restaurant. Sadly disappointed. Get some soul into the place, its really lacking|

Bob Gorman

We've been a few times since The White Swan was refurbished, including, by chance, on opening day. Initially the service and food was very good, but we also noticed a deterioration over the last few months - perhaps they've become complacent? The food, generally, has been quite good. The idea of a carvery is quite out-dated I think, but seems to suit the clientele. We found the meat to be nice, and not dry at all, but the vegetables have been overcooked. I guess that's the problem with leaving food under hot lights. I can't understand the comments above, about waiting 45 minutes for someone to carve the meat - ask one of the waiting staff or go to the bar. Use some initiative, and someone will help! Equally, it depends on where you sat as to whether you had table service and therefore drinks served, or not. If you eat in the restaurant itself, the staff will serve you drinks. If you sit in the area just outside of the carvery area, to the immediate left of the front door, it is self-service. You only have to ask, and you'd find out. We were told on each occasion we've been allocated a table "where would you like to sit, in the restaurant, or in the self-service area?". I think some of these criticisms are unwarranted and quite weak. You can't expect to be spoon-fed! But yes, alas, the service [italic]could[/italic] be better. Don't think it's lacking in "soul", but I guess that depends on what you're looking for. All in all, quite a pleasant place to go for a meal, especialy if you have family.

We've been a few times since The White Swan was refurbished, including, by chance, on opening day. Initially the service and food was very good, but we also noticed a deterioration over the last few months - perhaps they've become complacent?

The food, generally, has been quite good. The idea of a carvery is quite out-dated I think, but seems to suit the clientele. We found the meat to be nice, and not dry at all, but the vegetables have been overcooked. I guess that's the problem with leaving food under hot lights.

I can't understand the comments above, about waiting 45 minutes for someone to carve the meat - ask one of the waiting staff or go to the bar. Use some initiative, and someone will help!

Equally, it depends on where you sat as to whether you had table service and therefore drinks served, or not. If you eat in the restaurant itself, the staff will serve you drinks. If you sit in the area just outside of the carvery area, to the immediate left of the front door, it is self-service. You only have to ask, and you'd find out. We were told on each occasion we've been allocated a table "where would you like to sit, in the restaurant, or in the self-service area?".

I think some of these criticisms are unwarranted and quite weak. You can't expect to be spoon-fed! But yes, alas, the service could be better. Don't think it's lacking in "soul", but I guess that depends on what you're looking for. All in all, quite a pleasant place to go for a meal, especialy if you have family.

This pub is lovely! it gets very busy especially sundays.The staff work very hard and serve you as quickly as possible. The chefs are fantastic happy/polite. Food was good and the drinking area seems to attract many locals so theirs a good vibe

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