Health Warning: Inclusion on this site is purely a matter of chance, landmark or historical significance and in in no way a comment on the condition of the beer, the friendliness of the staff and clients or any other really important matter.

Still there but not the old building, reputed to date from 1600, probably 1660s, first mentioned 1702, which was demolished early 1960s under the "High Street Development Scheme"

"The Faulcon" mentioned in 1767. Completely rebuilt 1882 on a site in front of that of the former building

from Our Lady of Batersey, JG Taylor, 1925: "…. the Falcon, at the foot of St. John’s Hill, where a great tavern was erected in the eighties in place of an old inn of rural aspect facing the brook and with a tree, horse-trough and yard in the foreground."

Founded in the 18th century. Demolished c1980.

At least 4 buildings appear to have stood on this site! See photographs below. Further research might reveal more.

I cannot better the description by Ian Bull from the Yahoo! Old Battersea Web Group:

I thought I knew a lot about pubs in Battersea but these show just how modest my knowledge is. I had no idea that there was a 1950s version of the Swan. I don't think the Victorian version was bombed. There's no indication of a 'hit' on the local bomb-map produced by Morgan Carbons in 1946. I assume that Manns felt they should make the most of the site and swept the Victorian building away to produce the structure that went before the 1960s incarnation.

The 'Old Swan' of the 1960s (1963??) was certainly not old in any way. In that period, I can't think of a single pub anywhere that had so much architectural work lavished on it. I'm sure many here remember it. For those who don't, it was apparently a wooden building of white, lapped, planks. The design was striking, resembling a ships sails and not unlike a tiny version of Sydney Opera House. The wooden (ship) theme continued inside with the whole interior being covered in varnished planks. Jolly modern though, the riverside windows reached from ground to roof, maybe 50 feet. It was actually built of re-inforced concrete.

The Church Road frontage had a mast and rigging. Quite substantial and obviously not a fake. I've heard it came from aThames sailing barge.

It must have cost Watney Mann an absolute fortune. What with this and, the brutal new LCC/GLC tower bocks rearing up over it, Battersea must have looked like it was in the hearth of 'The White Heat of Technology'. Uncompromisingly modern buildings.

At first this flagship, perhaps the UKs first 'Gastropub', was a brilliant success. I seem to remember it specialising in steaks and definitely remember Princess Margaret visiting the place. Alas, it fell from grace. Probably because I went there!

In 1981 I entertained a young Lady from those GLC flats there. We sat by the enormous window and watched the moonlit river. Very pleasant too but, we'd gone on a good night. The place had been getting 'rough' since the mid 70s when it started to host live bands. The days of steaks and Royalty already gone by then. More like crisps, lager, and a 'fix'.

There's a website... http://www.punk77.co.uk/groups/plague.htm ... which mentions a 'gig' being invaded by skinheads. I'm not surprised. I used the place a few times more after I'd stopped going out with the young Lady from the flats and each time the people in there seemed a bit more threatening. My last visit was in 1984. This is the only time I've ever seen anyone wearing a swastika armband - it wasn't fancy dress either.

In 1985 an attempt was made to arson the place. The fire brigade were too fast on that occasion. The second attempt, in 1986, was more successful and the pub never re-opened. The wood content was only too obvious; I watched it burning from Lavender Hill!! I think I'm right in saying that the Landlord was convicted of arranging the fire. Two local lads were found guilty of arson and admitted having started the earlier conflagration as well.

The site was cleared to make way for the current 'Old Swan Wharf'. A rather attractive building by late 1980s standards but nowhere near as adventurous as the dramatic, visually exciting, building it replaced. A real loss.

Tom Champagne gave some early history to the same web group:

There is a line drawing by the Battersea artist J Cullum (from about 1850) which is definitely the right one. It is clear that a Swan Public House existed on this site in 1787 as it is mentioned in a survey conducted that year when the proprietor seems to have been a Mr Crickett.  (The land, incidentally, was actually owned by the Archbishop of York.)  It is almost certainly NOT the hostelry which was the finishing post for the Doggett Coat & Badge race as that was the Swan Inn (in Chelsea) was demolished in about 1780.

To given you an idea of the problem let me quote from the book "Old & New London" (Vol 5) written by Walter Thornbury:

The "Swan," very naturally, was a favourite sign for inns by the waterside, and Mr. J. T. Smith, in his "Book for a Rainy Day," or rather a waterman who speaks in his pages, enumerates a goodly list of "Swans" between London and Battersea bridges in 1829:—"Why, let me see, master," he writes, "there's the 'Old Swan' at London Bridge—that's one; then there's the 'Swan' in Arundel Street—that's two; then our's here" (at Hungerford Stairs), "three; the 'Swan' at Lambeth—that's down though. Well, then there's the 'Old Swan' at Chelsea, but that has been long turned into a brewhouse; though that was where our people" (the watermen) "rowed to formerly, as mentioned in Doggett's will; now they row to the sign of the 'New Swan' beyond the Physic Garden—we'll say that's four. Then there's two 'Swans' at Battersea—six."

Also, Hammond, in "Bygone Battersea" suggests that this is the Inn in which Charles Dibdin set his 1774 operetta "The Watermen" . Again, this is unlikely as its plot relates to the hero winning the Doggett Coat and Badge. So, it's more likely to be the Chelsea location.

The other Swan Inn was originally The Ferry Inn which stood where Battersea Bridge now stands and was replaced by The Swan (at first the Swan and Magpie). Dates, I regret, are hazy!

- Photo Wanted -  

The Old Swan 1960s- 1980s 

First built in 1701, rebuilt 1876, bombed during WW2 and later rebuilt

A "Landmark" pub appearing on the destination boards of buses. Demolished in the 1970s?

First mentioned 1765 but probably founded in 1660s. Late 17th century grade II listed building

Although outside the area of Battersea Park, it considered necessary to close this house of ill repute with the development of the Park in the 1850s.

A history of the Red House can be found on the Thames Pilot web-site

Thomas PRIEST, The Red House in Battersea   William James CALCOTT, The Red House, Battersea

"somewhat notorious in the days of duels" [From: 'Parishes: Battersea with Penge', A History of the County of Surrey: Volume 4 (1912), pp. 8-17. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=43025. Date accessed: 18 August 2006.]

Named as being in existence in 1728 in a transfer of lease

A nearby pub, gone gone, was called "The Original Woodman" which came first I know not