Quick info
About The Rat Trap
The Rat Trap is a pub on Highworth Rd in Swindon that also runs a food menu, with pub favourites such as lasagne, burgers, and steak alongside a smaller lunch list of sandwiches and jacket potatoes. A vegan BLT bean burger has appeared as a kitchen special. A function room at the venue is available for private events and gatherings, with afternoon tea and buffet options set out for those bookings. Lunch on busy days has been reported to run a wait of around an hour. The bar staff recognise the regulars by name, and a separate private dining room sits among the facilities.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree parking lot · Free street parking · Paid parking lot
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, parking lot, restroom
- Good for kidsGood for kids
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Menu & Prices
51 dishes · mains £7–25- Prawn Cocktail£7.95
- Homemade Beef Lasagne£12.95
- 10oz Gammon£14.25
- Chicken Wings£7.95
- Creamy Garlic Mushrooms£7.95
- Nachos£6.95
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention afternoon tea menu, function room, buffet selection and vegan BLT bean burger.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention afternoon tea menu, function room, buffet selection and vegan BLT bean burger.
Customer Review Summary
Most regulars single out the pub classics, with jacket potatoes, lasagne, burgers and steak drawing repeated praise, and the function room buffets and afternoon tea earning warm mentions from hosts of large gatherings. Service is consistently described as friendly, and the staff are credited with accommodating dietary needs and decorating for events. A few note fragmented food delivery during a large group booking and sun streaming through the roadside windows.
Customer Review Summary
Most regulars single out the pub classics, with jacket potatoes, lasagne, burgers and steak drawing repeated praise, and the function room buffets and afternoon tea earning warm mentions from hosts of large gatherings. Service is consistently described as friendly, and the staff are credited with accommodating dietary needs and decorating for events. A few note fragmented food delivery during a large group booking and sun streaming through the roadside windows.
Featured reviews
- C K
“This was the first visit since The Rat Trap changed management in Sept. The menu selection is smaller but with some pub favourites including lasagne, burgers and steak. They also offer a smaller bite menu at lunchtime of sandwiches and jacket potatoes. For a midweek visit, it was very busy with the clientele being very much silver surfer in age. We were advised that there was a long wait of at least an hour for lunch, with this time being accurate. The tuna mayonnaise jacket potato was very generously filled and served with a decent size salad. The specials included a vegan BLT bean burger which was tasty but would have benefitted from being served with something like salsa or similar as it was quite dry. The chips were crispy and fluffy. Service was friendly and the staff definitely knew their regulars. Looking forward to revisiting. Another visit - absolutely wonderful food!!!”
- deborah Humphreys
“As regular visitors, we can honestly say this is one of the best traditional pubs around. The food is consistently excellent, with generous portions and all the classic pub favourites done properly. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the staff are always friendly and attentive. It’s everything a traditional pub should be—great food, great service, and a great place to relax. Highly recommended.”
- Lindsay Jane
“We had a retirement party in the function room at the Rat Trap in June. We chose this venue due to its great disabled access and homely, friendly feel. Everyone was so helpful in the lead up. Answering all of our questions and helping on the day. We chose the afternoon tea menu. The food was lovely and there was so much if it! They even put on a spread of alternatives for someone with a food intolerance. Amazing, and great value. They helped to make our party a big success. We would thoroughly recommend. Thank you so much 💖”
- Mac G. McCarthy
“Had a lovely evening had the Rat Trap recently where the food was lovely and the staff very helpful and welcoming . There was 12 of us and unfortunately the food delivery was a bit fragmented and several waited a rather a long time for their meal even after the rest had finished but lets put it down to a summer glitch. However there is one thing they could do to fix the sun blasting through the windows on the main road side of the pub. It streamed in for a couple of hours and you basically had to squint all the time which wasn't comfortable. There is one curtain there which helps some but not the others so please just buy a couple more. Thanks”
- Annie P
“Good basic pub grub food. Reasonable prices. Good friendly service.”
Highlights
- Bar games
- Great beer selection
- Great wine list
- Sports
- Popular for solo dining
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Good for kids
- Food at bar
Show more amenities
- Cozy
- Beer
- Food
- Private dining room
- Table service
- Sports
- Offerings· 4
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Atmosphere· 1
- Casual
- Accessibility· 2
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Dining options· 1
- Seating
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Parking· 4
- Free parking lot
- Free street parking
- Paid parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
- Highlights· 3
- Bar games
- Great beer selection
- Great wine list
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Crowd· 2
- Groups
- Tourists
Location
Bars near The Rat Trap
- The Wheatsheaf4.01120.5 miWheelchair accessible
old school local pub, regulars and locals, beer selection
- The Kingsdown4.26460.6 mi£10–20ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
the ploughman's platter, cheddar and ham, part-baked baguette
- The Bakers Arms4.44030.8 mi£10–20ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
sunday lunch, portion sizes, buffet for a wake
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Rat TrapReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.4697 | — | £10–20 | afternoon tea menu, function room, buffet selection |
| The WheatsheafWheelchair accessible | 4.0112 | 0.5 mi | — | old school local pub, regulars and locals, beer selection |
| The KingsdownReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.2646 | 0.6 mi | £10–20 | the ploughman's platter, cheddar and ham, part-baked baguette |
| The Bakers ArmsReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.4403 | 0.8 mi | £10–20 | sunday lunch, portion sizes, buffet for a wake |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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