The Swan Inn, Oxfordshire

Overview

The Swan Inn Swinbrook seems as much a part of the landscape as the River Windrush that flows past is pretty garden, with creeper-covered Cotswold stone walls as rooted in its environment as the green fields around. Owned by the Chatsworth estate, the dinky village of Swinbrook is a quintessentially English spot with its church and cricket pitch. In recent years, the inn has been completely revitalised, with boutique styling and a contemporary feel combining beautifully with its Cotswold old-world charm.

Dining is a major draw and locals flock for the wholehearted British and European dishes made with regional produce and cooked with flair. Given the lovely rural aspect of the Swan, eating outdoors is a warm-weather treat. There's a terrace and pergola at the smarter end of the spectrum, or simply sit on a table down by the River Windrush and watch the ducks while you eat.

Rooms from

Doubles: £125

Good to know

Amex not accepted, Visa / Mastercard / Maestro all accepted
Disabled access
Parking available
Private and alfresco dining

Family favourite
Children can tuck into half portions of most courses or go for bespoke items such as pasta or scampi and chips, 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.

Rooms

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 '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.

Restaurant & bar

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 antipasti sharing plate, followed by grilled Cotswold ribeye steak with Stornaway black pudding? The Swan has not forgotten its roots as a pub either, so expect pub favourites such as fish and chips or steak and ale pie as well.

There's a regional flavour at the Swan with real ales from the likes of Hook Norton and even a local lager from the Cotswold Brewing Company. There's a good range of whiskies, gins and Cognacs too, with Archie's 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!

Things to do

Don't miss the fabulous local walking and scenery that the area offers. If you just want an easy stroll from the front door of the Swan, take a walk through the beautiful valley of the Windrush to the little medieval church of St Oswald, built on the site of a Roman villa. Elsewhere, there are numerous walks of all shapes and sizes and there's also a good selection of long-distance trails, which can be adapted into manageable chunks - the Heart of England Way, the Wychwood Way, the Oxfordshire Way and the D'Arcy Dalton Way among them.

Half an hour drive from The Swan, history lovers should head to Chastleton House, a fine Jacobean mansion with a striking south front. The house was built by a local wool merchant in the early 17th century, who purchased the estate from Robert Catesby, one of the conspirators of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. Also nearby is Kelmscott Manor, the Cotswold retreat of William Morris and his family, friends and colleagues. Kelmscott is home to fascinating and important collections of textiles, furniture and paintings, spanning more than 300 years and reflecting the ideas and creative legacy of those who lived and worked there.

Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway, West of Stow, this is the perfect destination for anyone who still savours the unique thrill of steam travel. Though no longer part of the national rail network, these wonderful old trains have made a welcome return to the tracks and are a great way to discover the delights of the Cotswolds.

Getting here

Directions

Nearest train station: Kingham
Taxi from station: 20min
Drive: 35min from Oxford

Address

Burford, Swinbrook, Oxfordshire OX18 4DY