I remember going to Ironbridge when I was little. We always used to go out somewhere for the weekend, me, my little bro and my parents, usually long drives in the Citroen Picasso. Most of the time it was up to the Lake District or somewhere in Wales, but every couple of years Ironbridge would pop up on the list. It always felt miles away from Rock Ferry where we lived, like we were going somewhere special. Now that I am in Shrewsbury and it is only twenty minutes down the road, it feels nice having it so close. Definitely worth a visit.

Me and Seb have this Sunday tradition where we have our date day. All work is banned (mostly because I have absolutely no work life balance right now), and we usually make sure we are doing something we both enjoy. It could be a wander somewhere new, a trip to the cinema, or just something low key that feels like a treat. But more often than not, it ends up revolving around food.

A couple of Sundays ago, someone recommended a place to me for lunch. I had not been before, but apparently it books up quickly. And of course, me being me, I left it to the last minute. When I finally rang up, they were completely booked. We needed a plan B, so we had a quick look at what else was around. That is how we stumbled across The Swan in Ironbridge.

We did not know anything about it, so we were not really sure what to expect. It was quiet when we turned up, which always makes me a bit cautious. But from the outside it looked cosy, and honestly, we were hungry enough to risk it.

And I am so glad we did.

I ordered the roast beef, and it was genuinely one of the best roasts I have had in ages. The beef was spot on, full of flavour, cooked perfectly, and just tender enough. The roast potatoes were crispy and golden, the red cabbage had just the right tang, and the Yorkshire pudding was absolutely massive. Everything had clearly been made properly, with actual care.

We both ordered a portion of mac and cheese on the side as well, which turned out to be a brilliant shout. The portion was great, and it was exactly the kind of mac and cheese you always hope for. Creamy, cheesy, and indulgent without being too heavy. You could definitely tell it was freshly made, just like everything else we had eaten.

A few weeks later, I decided I was going to treat Seb. The sun was out, we had a free Sunday, and it felt like the perfect chance to go back and see if the second visit lived up to the first. This time I made sure to book ahead, lesson learned.

When we got there, it was way busier than our first time. Full of people, a proper buzz, but still comfortable enough to enjoy ourselves. The staff were still lovely, and the food was every bit as good.

Seb stuck with the beef again because once he finds something he likes, that is him sorted. I went for the large roast with beef and belly pork, and it completely delivered. The pork had perfect crackling, and the meat practically melted. Everything on the plate felt carefully thought out, just like last time.

It is rare you find somewhere completely by accident that ends up becoming a favourite, but The Swan has definitely earned its place. If you ever find yourself in Ironbridge on a Sunday looking for a roast that genuinely delivers, it is well worth checking out. Just remember to book ahead.