Old Swan

We had Sunday lunch as a party of six, and visited on the back of a positive review in Euan's guide. Booking was easy; we did this online and I made the setting aware of the fact that there was a wheelchair user in the group. There was a carpark, which had plenty of space but no designated accessible spaces. There was a steep slope down to the front of the pub. I was aware before I arrived that there there were some low steps that my husband would need me to bump up, but the table they gave us was tiny for six people so we moved ourselves to another. The front of house was particularly unhelpful (although it is acknowledged that they were short staffed on the day). Having pointed in the approximate direction of our table she tutted when I pointed out that the space between the dresser and the wall was too narrow for my manual wheelchair (which is only 62 cms wide). It took three members of staff to show us where the accessible toilet was; this was next to a large and spacious room which would have been much better to sit in; instead we were seated about as far away from the toilets as was possible.

There’s no better place to enjoy an Ideal outdoor seating area in a pleasant terrace surrounded by well cared for gardens, even on hot summer days that burns the greenery to a golden brown. When arriving, you can take the The Old Swan car park just past the Inn (photo 1) and drive up to the car park (photo 2) which has lots of parking areas, and then walk through pergola and gardens (photo 3) and onto the normally well kept green lawns of the patio Terrace (photo 4) but today, due to extreme 2022 August weather, even the desired shade cannot stop the grass turning brown. Or you can approach the terrace by walking up to the delightful Old Swan Inn (photo 5) and across the crazy paving to the far corner (photo 6) and via a couple of steps, reach up to the seating area (photo 7) This is a lovely place to sit under shade (photo 8) and as the narrow lane running past is so quiet, you will not even notice any traffic at all. Beyond the terrace a path will cut across towards the far end (photo 9) which will take you and the kids to a very pleasant adventure area (photo 10) where you can allow the kids to safely play, while you take a quiet drink in the cooling shade. For toilets you will need to enter the Inn (photo 11) and go through to the toilets, which does have a disabled toilet for you (photo 12) which is just about large enough to get you chair inside and although just a plain simple toilet, it does have grab rails and a pull cord (photo 13. All round, The Old Swan Inn is a very delightful and attractive Inn and Hotel. Where you will be well looked after while you enjoy a satisfying break, do pop around.

SAT NAV. OX29 0RN. OLD SWAN. MINSTER LOVELL This truly lovely, inviting and pleasant 15th century old Inn, sitting in a delightful part of the village of Minster Lovell is a treat we will always remember, from our first glimpse of the attractive frontage as we entered the Inn, to the warm welcome we received, to a most enjoyable lunch that was presented by two young up and coming Chefs, Brandon and Jacob (photo 12) who served, as my husband put it, the most delicious meat filled ale pie he had ever enjoyed, the crust was so crispy and tasty, while the mash and veg was prepared at its finest, and we wish these lads the very best in their endeavour to offer visitors to the Old Swan the finest meals available. Funny isn’t it, that wherever you visit, a memory or two will stand out, and it’s the pies that will be our memory. The Colswold stone that looks lovely in the mid afternoon sunlight welcomed us to explore (photo 1) so we pulled into their carpark just beyond the Inn (photo 2) where you will find plenty of spaces to park (photo 3). Then walk back to the front entrance to the Inn ready to enter, where you will find two small steps (photo 3) and if your carer steps inside and requests help, very quickly a ramp will be provided to help you to enter and get past those steps (photo 4) The old Inn has retained its exposed brickwork, and laid down typical Cotswold quarried stone flooring (photo 5) which appeals so much on these old buildings, and you will be warmly welcomed at the Bar (photo 6). We chose a comfortable seat by the window (photo 7) but you choose, on a hot summers day, a corner window seat with plush comfortable seating, or over by the fire place on a cold winters morn, which radiates heat to warm those chilled little feet of yours. We were served a very pleasant lunch of their recommended pies (photo 8) tasty and filling, and were so pleased to be able to thank the young chefs Brandon and Jacob for their fine efforts in providing such a nice lunch (photo 9) keep it up lads, and you will both do well. The ladies toilet is over in the other section of the bar lounge, but beware of that step (photo 10) or head across to the signed toilets just before going outside (photo 11) where you will find a disabled toilet (photo 12) which although being very basic, was very clean, simple, but with grab rails and pull cord (photo 13) For dinner tonight, a pleasant restaurant will be tempting, so head out along the very nice entry, but you will need assistance of the ramp they provide for you (photo 14) to get you up the two high steps, and then you will be warmly welcomed at the restaurant (photo 15) and taken into a most delightful converted dark wooden beamed open vaulted roof and very pleasant restaurant (photo 16) and if these lads are on duty, you will be served a truly lovely meal you will we feel be sure to remember for years to come. PLEASE READ OUR SECOND REVIEW NOW, OFFERING ADVICE FOR OUTDOOR VIEWS (Disabled Travellers 3rd Cotswold tour (part 8) Old Swan gardens OUR FINAL THOUGHTS First of all, we have offered 4.5 stars instead of what many will feel should be 5* but it’s just the steps you need to contend with that dropped our points, but bear in mind, the hotel have staff more than willing to put down ramps for you, rest assured you will be well looked after here. These old places are so lovely, it’s difficult to describe at times, but this is a must do visit, it’s just so quaint, quiet and delightful, and the setting in the wonderful village of Minster Lovell, adds even more pleasure to your visit. We enjoyed a very nice lunch here, and took desert at the Minster Mill, both places are so lovely to see, so why not share our lunch in this way.