Classic Cotswolds charm on the riverbank
With its ivy-covered Cotswold stone walls and views over weeping willows, The Swan instantly recreates the mood of a timeless England – a place to savour life on the river bank.
Come Here For...
- A chocolate-box village setting.
- The prettiest hotel gardens.
- The Whooper cottage suite, with its own outdoor hot tub.
Hit the Spot
On the banks of the River Coln in pretty Bibury.
Amenities
Riverside gardens with a stream running through – perfect for pictures! Free WiFi.
Good to know
It's a popular spot with weekend daytrippers.
Essential info
Check in
14:30
Checkout
11:00
Minimum Stay
Generally two nights at weekends
Closed
Never
Parking
There is free guest parking.
Airport
Bristol – 57 miles
Train
Kemble station – seven miles
Pets
Welcome in some rooms.
Children
Welcome
Location
The Swan Hotel, Bibury, Gloucestershire, GL7 5NW, United Kingdom
Bedtime
Bedrooms
22 rooms and suites.
Special features
Some four-poster bedrooms have jacuzzi baths, while Garden Cottage suites come with private gardens. In-room gadgetry includes iPod docking stations.
Pillow Talk
Book well ahead and you could splash out in the Whooper cottage suite, with its own garden and outdoor hot tub. Cosy Trumpeter cottage (pictured above). Among the four poster rooms, Room 11 has a fabulous bathroom with huge double jacuzzi bath, while Room 12 also has a large jacuzzi bath.
Eat & Drink
Dining in
The Swan's brasserie restaurant serves modern European cuisine in an attractive setting with contemporary, farm-themed artworks and a rustic log wall. Start with confit of duck or goat's cheese souffle, followed perhaps by whole baked lemon sole with caper crushed potatoes or pork belly with apple mash and pak choi. De-lish desserts include honey and hazelnut tart.
Breakfast
Full breakfast is served until 9.30am. The smoked Bibury trout with scrambled eggs is a must.
Room service
Available morning and evening.
Activities
See & Do
Land your own trout at nearby Bibury trout farm, and wander along Arlington Row – a fairytake line of cottages thought to be the oldest in England. Batsford Arboretum near Moreton-in-Marsh is one of the jewels of the Cotswolds. Broadway Tower, high above the village of the same name, offers outstanding views while Hailes Abbey at Winchcombe is in a lovely wooded setting.
Our review
Reviewed by Zena Heyton
WITH ITS IVY COVERED COTSWOLD stone walls and views of the River Coln’s weeping willows, The Swan instantly recreates the mood of a timeless England. Walk in through the front door and the eclectic decor – a baby grand piano, a Mackintosh chair, country watercolours and Art Deco mirrors – all evoke that 1920s lost weekend feel.
There are Cotswolds and there are Cotswolds, and Bibury is about as Cotswold as you can get. William Morris, who knew a thing or two about style, declared this spot the prettiest village in England.
The Swan's setting is a veritable proposal in waiting. You might find a vintage Roberts radio in your room, possibly a chandelier, certainly fluffy bathrobes and pretty riverside views. It's not surprising to find that this place is a big hit with brides and grooms. Match the mood by catching a production of Romeo and Juliet at nearby Stratford-upon-Avon or plan a happy ending along the river banks.
Wallow, then whirl in the spa
You can wallow then whirl in one of the three deluxe rooms with a canopied bed and jacuzzi, or splash out on one of the four Garden Cottage suites overlooking the river just down the road. These are a cut above and come complete with their own garden, cosy downstairs lounge, DVD players and iPod docks.
High ceilings, tall windows and contemporary rustic art set the scene for modern British cuisine in The Swan's swishy brasserie. Dinner menus change daily.
