Swan Hotel, Newby Bridge

The Swan Hotel at Newby Bridge is situated at the Southern most tip of Lake Windermere. It is in a beautiful location, overlooking the river Leven (which flows into Windermere) and is set back from the main road, accessible by a traditional stone bridge which has been there for centuries.

HISTORY
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The Swan was formerly a small, traditional guest house and the old part of the building dates back to the ...
...To the left of the Swan Hotel as you approach it is the Swan Inn, part of the old building, and the relatively newly built Mailcoach Brasserie and Revels' Table D'Haute Restaurant. To the right of the Swan Hotel as you approach it is an extensive carpark, and foot access to the hotel marina, with over 80 berths, details of which can be found at http://www.swanhotel.com/location.cfm

THE BEDROOMS
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The Swan Hotel at Newby Bridge is situated at the Southern most tip of Lake Windermere. It is in a beautiful location, overlooking the river Leven (which flows into Windermere) and is set back from the main road, accessible by a traditional stone bridge which has been there for centuries.

HISTORY
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The Swan was formerly a small, traditional guest house and the old part of the building dates back to the 18th century. It's owners, Mrs Bardsley and the late Roland Bardsley subjected it to a huge overhaul in the mid nineties, spending a vast amount of money converting it from a homely 7 bedroomed inn to what it is today.

THE HOTEL
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It has 55 bedrooms, 7 of which are in the old part of the building. The further 48 rooms, 6 of which are suites, are spread over two floors in the new wing of the hotel. To the rear is a leisure pool and gymnasium, which are open to residents & members only. To the left of the Swan Hotel as you approach it is the Swan Inn, part of the old building, and the relatively newly built Mailcoach Brasserie and Revels' Table D'Haute Restaurant. To the right of the Swan Hotel as you approach it is an extensive carpark, and foot access to the hotel marina, with over 80 berths, details of which can be found at http://www.swanhotel.com/location.cfm

THE BEDROOMS
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When booking a room at The Swan Hotel, there are a few nifty tricks you can follow.
Ask for a specific room number and ask to not be moved from that room (sometimes reservationists will swap rooms around at last minute to make 'nicer' rooms available for walk-in guest, ie; guests who haven't booked)
Rooms 12-21 are the 7 rooms in the old wing (there isn't a room 13 or 15) These rooms, although more traditional, are very small. Rooms 20 and 21 overlook the staff carpark so don't book them. Rooms 101-116, 201-216 and 301-316 are in the new build. These rooms are more modern and spacious.
IF YOU ARE A NON SMOKER- Rooms 201-216 are the only non-smoking rooms in the hotel. The other rooms are allowed smokers, housekeeping simply open the windows whilst servicing the room to 'air' it.
IF YOU WANT RIVER VIEWS- Always ask for an ODD number, eg: room 207 is a n/s riverview room. room 305 is a smoking riverview room.
IF YOU WANT TO BE ON THE GROUND FLOOR- Room 101 and 102 are disabled access rooms with low handles and switches. They are right next to Hotel Reception. The rest of the 100's are also on the groundfloor.

FOOD & DRINK
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You can eat from the beautiful table d'haute menu in Revells Finedining. Or there are typical bar meals and pasta dishes in The Mailcoach Brasserie, or if you are looking for a sandwich or lite-bite, try the Swan Inn. Room service is available and breakfast is a self serve buffet (continental and cooked.)

KIDS
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Since I left the hotel, they've become more family friendly. There's an adventure playground within the grounds and free cookies and milk for bedtime. You can hire a z-bed or travel cot from the hotel and they also provide a baby listening service. They also have registered childminders on their books and can arrange a baby sitter for you if you want an evening off!!

WEDDINGS
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Well this was my stomping ground. The Swan caters for civil ceremonies as well as civil partnerships and is non-discriminatory. You can request a wedding pack from the hotel, or arrange a 'walk-around' with one of the Duty Managers or the Wedding Coordinator. There is a helipad at the hotel so if you want to arrive in style you can do!!! Weddings take place in the huge Levens Lounge, and functions are set in The Orangery, a beautiful glass roofed room. Be warned though- when I worked there it used to get immensely hot in summer- if you do decide to book a wedding, check whether they've upgraded the A/C first!

ATTRACTIONS
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The Swan is a five minute walk from The Aquarium of the Lakes, and there are public footpaths everywhere, signposted to different villages. The steam boat can pick you up at Lakeside Pier (5 min walk away) and take you to Bowness Pier, Lowood, Waterhead (Ambleside) or Hawkshead. The towns of Bowness, Windermere and Ambleside are abundant with attractions, such as the Beatrix Potter shop and Kirkstone Pass. If you go for a drive, try and get to Hodge Close, near Coniston- it's breathtaking up there. It is off the beaten track and not many people know where it is, but it is beautiful. Grizedale forest national park is a ten min drive away, where you can go on the Go Ape tree top activity (www.goape.co.uk)

SUMMARY
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I worked there as a Wedding/Conference planner and left there to give birth to my son so I am giving the review from a staff perspective. The majority of guests that come through the doors at The Swan Hotel are looking for a relaxing, tranquil break. Overall, if you are coming to the area for a break, The Swan Hotel is one of the best hotels in the area (thats just my opinion though!)

The village of Newby Bridge itself is very peaceful and the Hotel is 8 miles from the Dickensian Market Town of Ulverston (here in Ulverston we have some fantastic festivals throughout winter. Check out http://www.ulverston.net/ulverston_display.asp?pID=DIK) and 9 miles from Bowness-on-Windermere. If you are looking to take a quiet summer break there, prices are inevitably much higher during peak season. Websites like www.laterooms.co.uk often have low rates, as do superbreaks and octopus travel. From my experience both working there and as a South Lakeland resident, the Summer Holidays in the Lake District are anything BUT tranquil.
My advice would be to go off-peak, prices are much lower, most of the nearby attractions are still open and you won't have to fight your way through crowds.

See more at www.swanhotel.com 

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