Serene Swan stuns at official reopening

The latest Lake District reopening for The Inn Collection Group was celebrated last Friday, as The Swan at Grasmere was officially welcomed back to trading following an 18-month refurbishment programme. 

Under clear blue skies fell-runner, charity fundraiser and Grasmere resident Steve Watts MBE declared The Swan open, after a multimillion-pound refurbishment restored the historic property to being a traditional, cosy Lakeland inn. 

The first person fitted with a pacemaker to run the Everest marathon and the force behind the book A Year Like No Other which has raised funds in support of the Evalina Children’s Hospital and the Tony Hudgell Foundation, was fulsome in his praise as he cut the ceremonial ribbon. 

“It’s a refurbishment without compromise that ICG has done with The Swan and after two years of Covid, lockdowns and the like, it is fantastic to see The Swan back in business. 

“Everyone has done a really professional job and the pub is stunning and it was a real pleasure to be asked by the guys to be the ribbon cutter and to declare it open. 

“Let’s look forward to it enjoying another 350 years at least of welcoming people to Grasmere!”    

Originally built in 1650, The Swan is one of the oldest establishments in the national park and is now set for the next instalment of its well-established history of making people happy and welcoming them to eat, drink, sleep and explore. 

Whilst guests have been enjoying the charms of the inn since the doors were opened on April 3, the official opening allowed ICG to showcase the venue to partners, suppliers and invited guests from organisations across the country. 

Almost 100 people took advantage of the offer to sample The Swan’s hospitality first-hand and see some of the stunning bedrooms on offer at the property as the Newcastle-based pub with rooms operator continues its investment in the national park.   

There was also an invitation extended to those in the village to enjoy a drink on the house over the weekend, with performers from The Bread & Butter Theatre Company distributing vouchers whilst in character as Heidi and Henrietta, a pair of wandering Herdwick Sheep. 

Part of the husband-and-wife team that runs The Swan, general manager Nigel Brown said “It was a really good day and it was great to see so many people take up the invitations to come and see what The Swan is about. 

“We were able to show ourselves in the best light and we’ve had some really useful conversations with people like Wordsworth Grasmere, Grasmere Sports and Windermere Lake Cruises so we’re looking forward to building on what’s been a fantastic start.” 

Under the pair’s stewardship since its acquisition in 2020, The Swan has been gliding as serenely as its namesake since guest stays restarted with 18 five-star reviews on TripAdvisor. 

Amongst the praise received from satisfied guests has been the quality of the refurbishment, the friendliness of the service and the food on offer from the inn’s kitchen. 

With 37 rooms available to book and The Inn Collection Group’s fantastic Walk Inn Break package available at The Swan, spring 2023 really is the perfect time to get “inn” to Grasmere. 

Click here to book your break today.