
Quick info
About The Tawny Owl
The Tawny Owl is a pub on Taw Hl in Swindon that has served the Taw Hill community for more than 25 years. Rooms above the pub take overnight guests, who check in at the bar. Downstairs, the communal dining and pub area serves pub food, and big TVs are on hand for sport. Darts matches are held at the pub, and an Elvis Tribute Night runs as a special event. Dogs are welcome, so regulars can bring them along. A separate function hall is available for private events such as parties and wedding receptions, which suits groups planning a larger gathering.
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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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention function hall parties, elvis tribute night, 2 courses for £13 and pub accommodation rooms.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention function hall parties, elvis tribute night, 2 courses for £13 and pub accommodation rooms.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often single out the function hall, describing a daughter's party, a small wedding reception and a uni leaving do, with the food, the room and the helpful staff all praised, and one noting the good quantity of food. Staff and bar service earn warm comments elsewhere too, including during a busy Elvis Tribute Night, and one diner calls the meal good value with good portion sizes. Complaints are mixed but specific. One reviewer was told the kitchen was closed at 8pm during a darts match and wanted to be asked about food before it shut. Others describe microwaved soup, sausage and mash arriving as sausage, egg and chips with a lacklustre apology, and food called awful by a longtime local who found the landlords rude. A guest in the rooms mentions mold on the shower curtains, run-down fixtures, no AC and a window above the kitchen extractor fan. One reviewer closes on bar staff who were dismissive toward customers.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often single out the function hall, describing a daughter's party, a small wedding reception and a uni leaving do, with the food, the room and the helpful staff all praised, and one noting the good quantity of food. Staff and bar service earn warm comments elsewhere too, including during a busy Elvis Tribute Night, and one diner calls the meal good value with good portion sizes. Complaints are mixed but specific. One reviewer was told the kitchen was closed at 8pm during a darts match and wanted to be asked about food before it shut. Others describe microwaved soup, sausage and mash arriving as sausage, egg and chips with a lacklustre apology, and food called awful by a longtime local who found the landlords rude. A guest in the rooms mentions mold on the shower curtains, run-down fixtures, no AC and a window above the kitchen extractor fan. One reviewer closes on bar staff who were dismissive toward customers.
Featured reviews
- Concrete Man
“Had a really lovely meal here. And service was good too. Food arrived, good portion sizes and very good value for money Highly recommend”
- Amy Smith
“I come here quite a lot for a quick drink , but I decided to throw my son a uni leaving do, & it was so lovely staff couldn't of done anymore for me, went over and beyond and all staff were polite and easy to talk to, always happy to help , definitely recommend for any occasion”
- Renee F
“Rooms need a bit of deep cleaning the shower curtains had mold on them and the fixtures were a bit run down. The staff were friendly but a bit different to check in at the bar. No AC or elevator.”
- Unam Ejaz
“A huge thank you to Deana and her wonderful team for helping me organise my daughter's party. From start to finish, Deana was incredibly helpful, responsive, and supportive, making the whole process so easy and stress-free. The team was amazing, professional, and ensured everything ran smoothly. The food was super and the quantity was really good. We had a fantastic experience, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the function hall to anyone planning a special event. Thank you for making the day so memorable!”
- Stephanie Gould
“Bar staff amazing, went to bar to Order foodat 8pm was told kitchen is now closed. I note there is a darts match on, they will certainly have at least chips and sandwiches from the kitchen…. Kitchen orders stop at 9pm… feeling frustrated that kitchen is closed early to the communal dining and pub area early. The least as a company you should ask those sat if they would like to order food as the kitchen is closing. Bar staff excellent! Hence the 3star review.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“Sitting proudly at the heart of the Taw Hill community in north Swindon for over 25 years, the Tawny Owl offers everything you'd expect from a modern pub incl. great pub food every day.”
- Bar games
- Great beer selection
- Great wine list
- Live music
- Live performances
- Sports
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
- Dine-in
- Good for kids
Show more amenities
- Food at bar
- Cozy
- Beer
- Food
- Table service
- Live music
- Highlights· 6
- Bar games
- Great beer selection
- Great wine list
- Live performances
- Sports
- Trivia night
- Crowd· 1
- Groups
- Offerings· 4
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Dining options· 1
- Seating
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Atmosphere· 1
- Casual
- Accessibility· 2
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Parking· 3
- Free parking lot
- Free street parking
- Paid parking lot
Location
Bars near The Tawny Owl
- Fox and Hounds4.51870.8 mi£10–20ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
roast dinners, ham and cheese baguettes, lunch food
- Woodlands Edge4.21,5320.9 mi£10–20ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
stuart's friendly service, gammon, chips
- Manor Farm4.31,8241 mi£10–20ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
talia's service, traditional pub food, burgers and sweet potato fries
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Tawny OwlReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.11,404 | — | — | function hall parties, elvis tribute night, 2 courses for £13 |
| Fox and HoundsReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.5187 | 0.8 mi | £10–20 | roast dinners, ham and cheese baguettes, lunch food |
| Woodlands EdgeReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.21,532 | 0.9 mi | £10–20 | stuart's friendly service, gammon, chips |
| Manor FarmReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.31,824 | 1 mi | £10–20 | talia's service, traditional pub food, burgers and sweet potato fries |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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