The Pilot pub is in a beautiful seaside village with Hollywood A-listers for neighbours. They don’t do food, they don’t have Sky.
More than 12 years ago a married couple fstepped in to save what is widely regarded as the oldest pub in one of the UK’s best-known seaside villages. One of the staples of the so-called ‘Mumbles Mile’, The Pilot Inn has a long and at times rocky history that is reminiscent of the beachfront it overlooks.
First established in 1849, the pub has been part of the local landscape for generations. Its original licensee, pilot and mariner Sam Ace, named the seafront pub after the small but heroic vessels that once guided larger ships safely though the treacherous sea banks of Swansea Bay. Over time it became a well-loved gathering place for mariners, fishermen, oyster dredgers, and locals alike.
Today the inn sits in good company. It’s neighbours include none other than Catherine Zeta Jones and Michael Douglas, who own a home nearby in Limeslade, and singer Bonnie Tyler, who lives along Mumbles Road.
However, like many old institutions, The Pilot has worn many faces over the years and at times struggled to keep pace with the growing number of trendy bars and restaurants along the seafront, WalesOnline reports.
That changed when Richard and Jo Bennett took over. Under their stewardship The Pilot has firmly re-established itself as a beloved local fixture known for its straightforward charm, strong sense of community, and quirky rules.
Before taking the helm Richard and Jo had spent more than two decades away from Swansea, moving between the south of England, Scotland, and even Milan. After years of relocating they finally felt the pull to return home and with that decision came a desire to “reinvent” themselves. It was then that Richard chose to follow a long-held dream – to brew his own beer.
Jo was fully behind the idea. With some experience from a part-time job in a pub she saw the potential in running one of their own – a venture that could be both a fresh start and a shared opportunity. “She wanted the pub. I wanted the brewery,” Richard says.
Despite being relative newcomers to pub life they were both clear on one thing – the pub’s character had to stay intact. “We hardly changed anything when we came here,” Richard recalls. “There are stained-glass windows here that have been here since the seventies. The layout has been the same for decades.
“There are of course things we had to renovate – it looked a bit scruffy in places – but really we tried not to change it at all.”
The pub has become a staple for locals, dog walkers, and tourists. Its welcoming atmosphere and unpretentious charm has helped it stand out on a seafront packed with competition. Still Richard admits there’s one crowd that they try not to cater to.
“We are quite a small pub so we try not to encourage big groups like students on pub crawls,” he explains. “They would just dominate the whole thing and spoil the atmosphere.”
It’s a bit of an ironic stance, he acknowledges, given his own memories. “We used to love the Mumbles Mile ourselves when we were younger so it feels a bit rich for us to stop it but what I will say [is] it doesn’t really exist anymore – not like it used to. Pub culture has really changed over the years, which is something I have noticed.”
The atmosphere and community feel is what The Pilot pride themselves on. As Richard says: “We want everyone who comes to the pub to have a good time – not just people who come in a large group and ruin it for everyone else.”
Indeed this no-nonsense approach has earned The Pilot a loyal base of regulars whom Richard says they have built a strong relationship with over the years. “During lockdown we realised how important this pub was to the community,” he says. “Some people come here to see their friends here. Stop them from coming to the pub and you are essentially cutting them from contact – and that is being said for a lot of people.
“Our regulars are at the heart of our pub. They’re great. It’s not the type of place where you get a hush when new people come in – everyone is very welcoming.”
This is what The Pilot is all about. It serves as a social hub – a place where people come to sit, talk, and connect. This emphasis on conversation is at the heart of the pub’s identity and is what sets them apart from other venues in the area. There’s no live music, no TV, no flashy distractions – just quality drinks and good old-fashioned conversation.
“You aren’t going to get a surprise when you come to The Pilot,” Richard says. “You won’t turn up and it’s bingo night. There’s plenty of places in the Mumbles that show sport or live music. People know that when they come here they won’t get any of that. The TV is not going to be on unless it’s the Six Nations.
“You know what you’re going to get when you come here and if you don’t like that then you don’t come here I suppose.”
This consistency draws not just locals but also its fair share of tourists from all over the UK and beyond. “Mumbles is a draw for people. There’s lots of Airbnbs here, which boosts trade,” Richard pointed out. “We’ve had people from not just this country but the States, Australia – you’d be surprised with how far people come to see Mumbles.”
One particularly notable visitor was Prince Albert II of Monaco who popped in to the pub for a drink a couple of years ago.
“We’ve had our share of high-profile visitors but that was a real thrill,” says Richard. “We were tipped off that he was coming. His security checked out the place beforehand. When three black Range Rovers turned up outside we all knew that he had arrived.
“He was a brilliant guy – really easy to speak to. He had a look round the brewery and everything. He had some friends locally and had come down to see the Six Nations in Cardiff so he had his Welsh scarf on… it was a surreal experience.”
Other than the social aspect a major attraction for customers, is of course, the beer – especially with Richard running his brewery at the back of the pub. His hands-on approach ensures that whatever is poured at the bar is fresh and distinctive.
When asked which beer stands out Richard doesn’t hesitate. “Our Pilot Gold,” he says. “It’s our biggest seller in the pub – a nice golden beer that’s on tap all the time.”
Beyond the staple Richard enjoys experimenting with rotating brews, often a pale ale that changes regularly. “We have our stout, Black Storm,” he adds. “Even though it’s a stout it’s available all year round. That’s a bit unusual because in the summer people typically go for lighter beers but we manage to sell that all year round because people like it that much.”
Richard highlighted that the pub generally see two broad groups of people – those seeking the local brews and the others wanting the nationally-named brands.
“We have incredible drinks here – I doubt there’s another place in Swansea that has a better selection of drinks than us – and at reasonable prices I think. All our real ales are around £4 a pint and our most expensive is a pint for £5.”
It is everything that Richard ever dreamed of. “Running a brewery is great,” he says. “I like experimenting – and there’s nothing better than creating a beer, putting it at the bar, and seeing how people respond to it.”
While the brewery is a solo job Jo runs the front where she shines. “My wife really enjoys the pub – she was a pharmacist so worked in retail since she was a teenager. Dealing with customers is so natural to her – she is all for the pub,” says Richard. “I think the customers like me being in the back and having her up front. It works.”
Alongside Jo many people will be familiar with barmaid Sue Robinson who has worked at The Pilot almost as long as Jo and Richard have owned it. “Our customers absolutely love Sue – she’s fantastic,” Richard adds.
“We have a great team but whenever Sue is off people do ask where she is – I think a lot of people think she owns the pub. People expect to see her when they come – she’s very much part of the business.”
The balance between craft and hospitality is what keeps The Pilot thriving.
“If you came to the pub 10 years ago and to the pub today I don’t think you’d notice a difference at all,” Richard continues. “We have a winning formula that works for us and that’s what we stick to.
“We want to offer something for everyone – that’s what this place is about.”