The Bird in Hand
24 Carmarthen Rd, Swansea SA4 0TU
$
Contemporary
Recommended
New
Editor's Pick
Private Room
The Bird in Hand is a traditional country pub set in the village of Fforest, Camarthenshire. Serving up a thirst-quenching range of drinks and freshly prepared food from steaks to pasta, our delicious home-cooked carvery, and weekend Al-La-Carte menu.
Reservations
Business Info
- Address: 24 Carmarthen Rd, Swansea SA4 0TU
- Cross Street: Fforest
- Cuisine: Contemporary | English | European | Pizza | Steak | Sunday Brunch |
- Cost: | Very Inexpensive
- Category: Pub
- Star Rating:
- Reservations: Recommended
- Dress Code: Casual
- Meals Served: Lunch | Dinner | Late |
- Parking: Car Park |
- Payment Options: VISA | MasterCard | Cash | Apple Pay | Google Pay | Debit |
- Corkage Fee: N/A
- Website: http://www.birdinhandfforest.co.uk/
- Phone: 01792 82 82 82
- Features: Full Bar, Sunday Brunch, Late Dining, All You Can Eat, Live Entertainment, Outdoor Seating, Private Room, Smoking Area, Takeout Available, Winning Wine List, Working Fireplace, Wheelchair Access, Happy Hours, Lounge / Bar, Healthy Options, Free Wi-Fi, Big Screen TV, Farm-to-table,
- Occasion: Child Friendly, Romantic Dining, Dining Alone, Business Dining, Meet for a Drink, Quiet Conversation, Vegetarian, Dog Friendly, Quick Bite, Date Night,
Photos
Business Hours
Reservations Available
- Monday
- All Day - Restaurant 12:00 - 18:45
- Tuesday
- All Day - Restaurant 12:00 - 21:00
- Wednesday
- All Day - Restaurant 12:00 - 21:00
- Thursday
- All Day - Restaurant 12:00 - 21:00
- Friday
- All Day - Restaurant 12:00 - 21:00
- Saturday
- All Day - Restaurant 12:00 - 21:00
- Sunday
- All Day - Restaurant 12:00 - 20:00
Customer Reviews & Ratings
3.81 out of 5 stars based on 255 votes
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 0/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 0/10
Feb 18, 2024
Reg R.
Went in for late lunch,being Nosey,I had a quick look in Kitchen,I couldn't eat there,Floors,Equipment filthy,I'd noticed "Stale Grease/Fat Smell in the air when entering,Front of House clean,behind Bar disgusting,that is what made me want to see Kitchen,had a Coke and rapidly left.
If your going to eat,ask to see Kitchens.
- Overall: 0/10
- Food: 0/10
- Service: 0/10
- Ambience: 0/10
- Value: 0/10
Aug 20, 2020
Heather J.
Had a telephone to notify that the table was cancelled as the fryers ‘were not working’, to then find out that the restaurant was full of people. Just a case of over booking, rather then be straight up than lie about it!!!! Would not be booking in future.....
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 6/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 7/10
Oct 29, 2022
Tom C.
Very good, strange system having to order drinks and food at bar then needing to give in receipts on delivery! Food lovely but not cheap. Dogs welcome
- Overall: 7/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 5/10
Nov 09, 2021
Barry M.
Surcharge for cauliflower cheese ridiculous for size of portion
- Overall: 2/10
- Food: 0/10
- Service: 2/10
- Ambience: 2/10
- Value: 1/10
Aug 19, 2020
Jayne R.
Lots of cars in car park and pub was quite crowded. Hand sanitizer at door empty. Wanted fish and chips, no fish left, no lamb left and it was only 6.15pm! Prices are expensive for pub food, we left without eating. Very disappointed , we used to eat there all the time with friends, but did not feel safe. Sorry to be negative but just how we felt at the time.
- Overall: 5/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 5/10
- Value: 7/10
Feb 16, 2022
Linda J.
Food was lovely. Booked a table but there wasn’t a reservation for me in the book so was put upstairs which wasn’t ideal because the carvery was downstairs
- Overall: 2/10
- Food: 5/10
- Service: 3/10
- Ambience: 3/10
- Value: 6/10
Aug 19, 2020
Catherine W.
We booked the table for 1pm for 8 It was an extremely hot day and the pub did seem very busy which may have been the reason to blame however we were seated. It took 47 mins for a waitress to return with our drinks order. As it was so hot and there is no fans of any kind the little children were thirsty. We ordered food. That arrived lukewarm which is odd considering the temp in side the pub at around 2.30pm some 1 1/2 hrs after arriving. The drinks we re ordered arrived a further 20 mins after that. My mother then left with the younger children as they were too hot to stay there any longer. The rest of the party remained 6 of us in total. We had dessert some 45 mins later. We did not leave the pub until 15:55pm nearly 4 hrs for pub grub which was mediocre at best. I hope the poor waitress who served us was paid well she was run ragged and was left with dealing with several tables who experienced the same problems.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jul 31, 2021
Hilary C.
Lovely meal, great value for money, friendly helpful staff
- Overall: 2/10
- Food: 0/10
- Service: 5/10
- Ambience: 7/10
- Value: 3/10
Feb 11, 2023
Trevor C.
Food was disgusting
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jun 03, 2022
Gerald E.
Great mid week evening meal, great service, great atmosphere, great value for money.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 7/10
Jul 22, 2021
Alison D.
Good food and friendly service
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Mar 05, 2022
Darrall L.
Staff need training how to talk to customers , and know what they have to actually offer. No masks worn by any staff members even the manager?
Food is expensive for what you get .
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 4/10
Dec 12, 2021
Ann W.
My meal was forgotten and came when the others were half way through eating. When it arrived it was sent back because the steak was raw so when it was brought back again it was still raw so sent back again I eventually had my meal when everyone else had finished eating and I was not even offered a discount for the inconvenience.
- Overall: 5/10
- Food: 4/10
- Service: 8/10
- Ambience: 7/10
- Value: 4/10
Nov 17, 2022
Julie D.
The coffee was cold, my steak was tough. The service was good though. Pleasant pub. This visit was disappointing compared to a previous visit.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 07, 2021
Rebecca K.
A tiny bit of background music would have helped the atmosphere. Nothing too loud!
- Overall: 5/10
- Food: 5/10
- Service: 5/10
- Ambience: 5/10
- Value: 5/10
Jul 02, 2022
ELIZABETH B.
food not great, salad very dissapointing - won't be going back.
- Overall: 6/10
- Food: 6/10
- Service: 8/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 8/10
Sep 01, 2021
Jeremy D.
Overall I had a mixed experience. A nice venue with welcoming staff but the food wasn’t great. On the specials board and an additional menu we were given was lamb shank which I love, when the waitress came to take our order it was then we were told they’d run out, disappointing and avoidable as the board and temporary menu were out of date. I then asked if they’d run out of anything else and she said “dunno, I’ll need to check when you order” - not great. I ordered a rump steak with a peppercorn sauce. It was served on lukewarm plates with lukewarm peas and chips that were not particularly fresh. My steak was OK but the sauce didn’t come with the food and I had to ask for it, when it arrived it was lukewarm as well. There was no check to ask if everything was ok but we were offered additional drinks when we finished. The dessert menu was limited to 3 basic items so we passed on it. Overall not fantastic and unlikely to go back even though I live locally. Shame as there is potential
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 8/10
Dec 04, 2020
Christine W.
Food was delicious, service was excellent thoroughly enjoyed our time there
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 7/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 9/10
Aug 31, 2021
Chas. K.
Very good food, waiting staff a little forgetful with our requirements
- Overall: 0/10
- Food: 0/10
- Service: 0/10
- Ambience: 0/10
- Value: 0/10
Sep 05, 2021
Tyf L.
Bad service, poor quality food…would not recommend to anyone!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Oct 03, 2022
Ian S.
Had booked a table for 4 which turned into 8. It was no problem for the staff. Service was great as was the food. Would definitely recommend
- Overall: 7/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 7/10
Aug 01, 2022
donna w.
Food was lovely well presented staff were polite service was quick.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 6/10
- Value: 5/10
Nov 29, 2021
Mike T.
Room could have been warmer.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 16, 2020
Pamela l.
Nice food,service great,friendly staff
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 7/10
Feb 11, 2022
Judith J.
Nice cosy feel to the place but I thought the food was overpriced.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Oct 02, 2022
Mervyn J.
What a thouroughly enjoyable experience, a very warm welcome when arriving, very good service and excellent food. I cannot recommend this establishment enough. Enjoyed it so much went back 3 more times all of them equally great.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 8/10
Apr 06, 2022
Tracy B.
Really enjoyed our meals last night, I had the pork chop special with mint gravy which I could nit fault and my friend commented that her fish looked like size of a shark when it came to table
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 10/10
Oct 19, 2022
Lyn T.
A very pleasant environment, loved the space between tables and overall a pleasant experience. An excellent menu choice, food was well presented and plentiful . Will definitely visit again.
- Overall: 6/10
- Food: 6/10
- Service: 6/10
- Ambience: 4/10
- Value: 6/10
May 24, 2021
Beth H.
We enjoyed our meal although the chicken was overcooked and dry.
We were really concerned as the restaurant rapidly filled up rapidly which made social distancing impossible. Also when we asked about track and trace some of the staff were not aware that it needed to be done which is very concerning.
- Overall: 5/10
- Food: 7/10
- Service: 1/10
- Ambience: 5/10
- Value: 7/10
Sep 02, 2022
Andrew T.
Food was really nice, the wait was really long for the starters then main.
Not the waiters fault but took way to long.
Ordered food at 7:30 didn’t eat main u til after 9
- Overall: 3/10
- Food: 2/10
- Service: 5/10
- Ambience: 4/10
- Value: 2/10
Dec 04, 2020
Neville M.
Had better food 3months ago gone downhill, shame
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jan 04, 2022
Hellena E.
Kitchen was shut no food on sale told you yesterday and today you ask me for a review
- Overall: 7/10
- Food: 7/10
- Service: 7/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 8/10
Jul 09, 2022
Carol L.
Although we booked through Table Agent there was no record in the bookings but it wasn’t a problem as there was a table available. The staff were very friendly but the service was a bit slow although it wasn’t busy. We had to wait quite a while for our main course ( we didn’t have starters or dessert). There were five in our party and we enjoyed our meals but those of us who had chips found them quite dry. The ambience in this pub is lovely and again, the staff are very friendly and helpful.
- Overall: 4/10
- Food: 3/10
- Service: 7/10
- Ambience: 6/10
- Value: 4/10
Aug 17, 2020
Sarah J.
Asked for Malbec red wine Bottle and was brought merlot red.
But was replaced.
Husbands pie was cold
My burger wasn’t 100% welsh beef . I was a frozen Cheap skinny burger you would cook on a barbecue.
We where over charged for husbands meal . But was rectified when we noticed and informed staff .
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 7/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 8/10
Sep 24, 2020
Colin S.
Overall very good. Service was a bit slow
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 19, 2022
Christina C.
The only complaint that I have is that service is slow.
- Overall: 6/10
- Food: 7/10
- Service: 8/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 8/10
Nov 22, 2020
Sue P.
On arrival our online booking was not noted down and they said there must have been in error on their behalf . They made room for us and the service by the staff was good , warm and friendly . The food was lovely , but the onion rings weren’t the best .
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 9/10
Oct 08, 2020
Lisa L.
Lovely food and friendly service
- Overall: 7/10
- Food: 7/10
- Service: 7/10
- Ambience: 5/10
- Value: 9/10
Sep 15, 2020
Estelle B.
Adequate pub food.
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 04, 2021
Joanne p.
Not all options on menu were available which was disappointing however we would return.