Quick info
About Arkell's Strawberry Thief, Swindon
A large red wood-fired pizza oven anchors the kitchen at Arkell's Strawberry Thief, a pub in Tadpole Garden Village, Swindon, turning out pizzas that can be built to order, including without cheese. Around 42 dishes fill out the rest of the menu, from Arkells Haze Beer Battered Cod Fillet to Lamb Koftas and a Duck & Blackberry Niçoise Salad. Arkell's ales and stouts pour alongside. The interior is light and spacious, split into several seating areas, with a fireplace in the pub section. Dogs are welcome inside, so walkers can bring them along to a table. The pub opens daily, and it gets busy and noisy at weekends while midweek runs quieter.
Menu & Prices
42 dishes · mains £7–24- Arkells Haze Beer Battered Cod Fillet£18.00
- Lamb Koftas£15.50
- Harissa Chicken£16.00
- 8oz Ribeye Steak£24.00
- Duck & Blackberry Niçoise Salad£16.00
- Goats Cheese & Fig Salad£13.50
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention wood-fired oven pizzas, dogs welcome in the pub, small portions for the price and very busy at weekends.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention wood-fired oven pizzas, dogs welcome in the pub, small portions for the price and very busy at weekends.
Customer Review Summary
The pizzas from the big red oven are what most reviewers come back for, with one singling out the nduja and salami version for its fresh flavours, gentle heat and light dough, and happily made without cheese on request, paired with a pint of Arkell's Cotswold Stout. Close behind is the service, repeatedly described as prompt, attentive and welcoming, with several noting food arriving hot and quickly even on busy nights, and birthday meals mentioned more than once. Also praised are the light, airy, spacious rooms, the fireplace and the fact that dogs are welcome. The recurring complaint is portion size and menu depth: one reviewer found the pizza base and toppings ungenerous and the menu mediocre, another called their salad tiny, and a third thought the desserts extremely small for what they cost. A couple found weekends too busy and noisy, with staff seeming to struggle with the crowd, and several suggest booking ahead at weekends.
Customer Review Summary
The pizzas from the big red oven are what most reviewers come back for, with one singling out the nduja and salami version for its fresh flavours, gentle heat and light dough, and happily made without cheese on request, paired with a pint of Arkell's Cotswold Stout. Close behind is the service, repeatedly described as prompt, attentive and welcoming, with several noting food arriving hot and quickly even on busy nights, and birthday meals mentioned more than once. Also praised are the light, airy, spacious rooms, the fireplace and the fact that dogs are welcome. The recurring complaint is portion size and menu depth: one reviewer found the pizza base and toppings ungenerous and the menu mediocre, another called their salad tiny, and a third thought the desserts extremely small for what they cost. A couple found weekends too busy and noisy, with staff seeming to struggle with the crowd, and several suggest booking ahead at weekends.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“Traveled to Swindon to Arkells for 70th birthday celebration, parked and used ev car charger, car parking and areas well marked and all tidy and clean, entrance very welcoming, inside areas spacious , large bar area with eating and drinking outside, service and staff polite and friendly”
- Google user
“Brilliant place. Great food and drinks selection. Very helpful staff. Polite. Good service. Clean bathrooms and lovely fireplace and atmosphere. Dogs welcome.”
- Google user
“We've visited on one occasion prior to this and loved the pizzas so returned for my daughters birthday. Tried something different and it was very tasty. The waiting staff were attentive and we didn't have long to wait for the food. Definitely be back. The only slight negative is that the desserts are extremely small for £9. That being said everyone enjoyed their food. Dogs are allowed into this pub too which is great. We didn't take ours this time around but will bring her along next time.”
- Google user
“Portions have got a lot smaller! This was my £15 salad. You can see how small it is in the bowl. It’s tiny! I have this every time I go so I know the difference. This used to fill the bowl and you’d get 2 rounds of goats cheese. I had to ask for more which they did do but beware of cost cuts on your plate too!”
- Gary Collins
“A Great purpose built venue with great potential The ambience is great with so many areas to sit and enjoy a nice drink. A real shame about the menu as it doesn't really match people's expectations. A great big red pizza oven that should make great pizzas, however nothing to shout out about, issue with puzza base and lack of toppings i.e. be a bit more generous. Menu is mediocre with no real purpose. Ambience is the life of the place #garystribe #localguide #localguides #letsguide #cotswolds #swindon”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Good to know
“Arkell's brand-new pub, now open in Tadpole Garden Village, Swindon.”
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, parking lot, restroom
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Serves food at bar
- Has toilet
- Serves beer
- Serves food
- Serves spirits
Show more amenities
- Facilities· 5
- Serves alcohol
- Serves cocktails
- Serves wine
- Has great beer selection
- Has great wine list
- Accessibility· 2
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Location
Bars near Arkell's Strawberry Thief, Swindon
- Manor Farm4.31,8241.3 mi£10–20ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
talia's service, traditional pub food, burgers and sweet potato fries
- Fox and Hounds4.51871.5 mi£10–20ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
roast dinners, ham and cheese baguettes, lunch food
- The Bell, Purton stoke4.77271.8 mi£20–30ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
sunday roast, roast potatoes, fish and chips
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkell's Strawberry Thief, SwindonWheelchair accessible | 4.0912 | — | £20–30 | wood-fired oven pizzas, dogs welcome in the pub, small portions for the price |
| Manor FarmReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.31,824 | 1.3 mi | £10–20 | talia's service, traditional pub food, burgers and sweet potato fries |
| Fox and HoundsReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.5187 | 1.5 mi | £10–20 | roast dinners, ham and cheese baguettes, lunch food |
| The Bell, Purton stokeReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.7727 | 1.8 mi | £20–30 | sunday roast, roast potatoes, fish and chips |
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