Pub with rooms in Swinbrook, Oxfordshire
Curator's notes:
Rooms from
Doubles: £120
Good to know
Most credit cards accepted (not Amex)
Disabled access
Private & alfresco dining
Summer pizza & BBQ kitchen
Family
favourite
Children can tuck into half portions of most courses or go for
bespoke items such as pasta or scampi and chips, or enjoy pizzas in
the garden, and they can stay overnight in some bedrooms.
Outdoor
adventures
You really are spoilt for choice in terms of where to walk in this
idyllic corner of the country - with numerous trails ideal for a
day's hike or a shorter stroll.
Water and
waves
With the Windrush river babbling alongside the pretty garden, this
is the perfect location for some riverside relaxation.
When it comes to stopping over for the night, there are eleven bedrooms spread across two buildings - the Riverside Cottage and the Stables.
The Riverside Cottage is as pretty as a picture, built of Cotswold stone and refurbished to a high standard. Three of the rooms are on the ground floor with their own garden area and a charming thatched summer house. Six bedrooms all decorated with soothing neutrality and given splashes of colour from cushions and fabrics are available in the stable block.
The pick of the bunch is Riverside with serene views across the Windrush river and valley, while the largest is 'Debo's Room' (named in honour of the late Duchess of Devonshire), a spacious suite with a roll-top bath and separate sitting room. The classy finish carries on into the bathrooms with their mix of natural stone tiling, including some mosaics, travertine flooring and fluffy white towels. There are fabulous views from most rooms - grazing cows, the meandering river - and there's a genuine sense of getting away from it all.
Whether eating in the bar by the fire, in the Mitford Room surrounded by pictures of the family, in the vaulted conservatory or outside on the terrace, you're spoilt for choice for atmospheric eating spots across the Swan.
The British and European influenced menu perfectly balances refined and rustic cooking with a sophisticated touch. Why not start with the duck rillette with spiced apple chutney and toasted sourdough, followed by gruyere and hake with globe artichoke, fennel, chorizo, samphire and an olive, red pepper, cherry tomato and herb salsa. The Swan has not forgotten its roots as a pub either, so expect pub favourites such as fish and chips or a proper dry-aged beef burger (with harissa mayonnaise) as well. To finish, try the cherry clafoutis with almond ice cream.
There's a regional flavour at the Swan with craft beers from the likes of Hooky Gold from Hook Norton Brewery, and Hawkstone Lager brewed by the Cotswold Brewing Company. There's a good range of whiskies, gins, cocktails and Cognacs too, with the homemade bullace gin well worth a try. The wine list offers an extensive selection by the glass - or for those in need of a hair of the dog, don't miss their excellent Bloody Mary - renowned by locals!
