Frequently Asked Questions

We’re a small, independent pub and restaurant in the village of Fence, Lancashire.

Our food is cooked by Tom and his team using the best ingredients available to us, which means our menu is constantly changing.

Here are the answers to some of the questions we’re asked most often.

*What kind of food do you serve?

We serve a set menu rather than an à la carte menu.

Our dishes change regularly — sometimes daily — depending on the ingredients available to Tom and the kitchen team.

That means the menu you see online should always be treated as an example of the style of food we serve rather than a guaranteed menu for your visit.

*How many courses are there?

We currently serve either a 4-course or 5-course set menu, depending on the day and time of your booking.

Full details and current prices are shown on our booking page.

*Can I see the menu before I visit?

We publish recent menu examples on our website, but we cannot guarantee exactly what will be served on the day.

Part of what we do at The White Swan is work with the best produce available to us, so dishes can change at short notice.

*Do you cater for allergies?

Yes, where we are able to do so.

All allergies and medical dietary requirements must be given to us when making your booking.

Please do not wait until you arrive to tell us, as we may not be able to alter the menu on the day.

All of our food is prepared in a kitchen where allergens are handled, so although we follow best practice, we cannot guarantee a completely allergen-free environment.

*Do you cater for vegetarians or pescatarians

Yes but please tell us about any dietary requirements when booking so that we can accommodate them.

*Do you cater for vegans?

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer a vegan menu.

*Can you cater for dairy-free or lactose-free diets?

Unfortunately, we are currently unable to cater for dairy-free or lactose-free diets.

*I simply don't like one of the ingredients. Can you change the dish?

We cater for genuine allergies and medical dietary requirements, but we cannot redesign the set menu around individual dislikes or preferences.

If there is something you're unsure about, please contact us before booking.

*Are children welcome?

Yes, children are welcome, but we don't operate a separate children's menu.

Our set menu and normal menu price apply, so we'd recommend considering whether the style and length of the meal will suit younger children before booking.

*Are dogs allowed?

At lunch: Yes but please contact us to let us know. We are only a small pub and only have 1 table suitable for dogs in the bar area, it may be taken by someone already.

In the evening: No, the style of service means it would not be suitable.

Assistance dogs are, of course, welcome.

*Do I need to book?

We strongly recommend booking if you would like to eat with us.

We're a small restaurant with only around 30 covers, so availability can disappear quickly, particularly at weekends.

You can book online or contact us directly.

*Can you accommodate large parties or private events?

Our restaurant is very small, so we're not generally suited to large group bookings.

If you have something particular in mind, please contact us directly and we'll tell you whether it's something we can accommodate.

*Do you require card details when booking?

We may require card details to secure your reservation.

Because we're such a small restaurant, late cancellations and no-shows have a significant effect on us.

Please see the booking terms shown when making your reservation for our current cancellation policy.

*What happens if I'm running late?

Please give us a call as soon as possible.

Our food is prepared and served around your reservation time and, particularly when we have another sitting afterwards, arriving significantly late can cause difficulties for both the kitchen and other guests.

*Can we arrive early for drinks?

You're welcome to, but please be aware that we don't have a dedicated waiting or pre-dinner drinks area.

If you're booked on one of our later sittings, we recommend arriving at the time of your reservation.

*Is there a dress code?

No formal dress code.

Come comfortable. We're a Michelin-starred restaurant, but we're also a Lancashire village pub.

*Is The White Swan wheelchair accessible?

Please contact us before making your booking if you or somebody in your party has particular accessibility requirements.

Because of the size and age of the building, we would rather discuss your individual requirements with you directly than make assumptions about what will work for you.

*Do you have parking?

There is a carpark to the side of the pub availble for all patrons. If you are considering leaving your car, please be aware that we have no CCTV on the carpark.

*How do I book?

The easiest way is through our online booking system.

Alternatively:

Telephone: 01282 611773
Email: info@whiteswanatfence.co.uk

*Anything else?

If you're unsure about anything before booking, just ask us.

We're a small independent pub rather than a big restaurant group. You'll normally get a much better answer by speaking to us directly than relying on information from third-party websites — some of which can be several years out of date.

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