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| Worldwide > Europe > UK > West Midlands > Henley-in-Arden > The White Swan Hotel | Facilities & Pricing | ||
 The White Swan Hotel100 High Street, Henley in Arden, West Midlands, B95 5BYTelephone: 01564 792623 |
| About the White Swan Enjoy the best in modern cuisine and accommodation whilst soaking up the atmosphere of historic surroundings in our 16th Century coaching inn.
The White Swan Hotel at Henley-in-Arden is the perfect place to stay when your are visiting the Midlands for business or pleasure. We are only 9 miles from Warwick, with it's famous Warwick Castle and all-year events. Even closer is Stratford-upon-Avon, with it's Shakespeare connections and the wonderful Royal Shakespeare Theatre Company. A short drive in the opposite direction brings you to the NEC, with it's international exhibitions and concerts featuring the world's top performers. Whilst being located in the peace and tranquility of the beautiful Warwickshire countryside, The White Swan Hotel is only a short drive or journey by rail from our local station into Birmingham. With it's magnificent Bullring Centre and iconic Selfridge's building, theatres, art galleries, Symphony Hall, The International Conference Centre, The National Indoor Arena, the National Sealife Centre and vibrant nightlife all in one area, you will will be amazed and delighted by the transformation the city has undergone in the past 20 years. And of course, there is Henley-in-Arden itself. In modern times, Henley is best known for its ice cream and High Street, described as the most beautiful in England. To enquire about accommodation or any of our other services please complete our enquiry form or telephone us on 01564 792 623 if calling from the UK or +44 (0) 1564 792 623 if calling from outside the UK. |
| History After Henry III's victory at the Battle of Evesham (1265) the De Montforts' castle at Beaudesert was destroyed because of the leading part they played in the revolt against the King. The village of Henley-in-Arden rose from the ruins. The castle site is marked today only by a large mound which lies near to the Church of St Nicholas, across the road from The White Swan Hotel. An Inn has existed on this site since 1352 and The White Swan was first documented in 1358. The current White Swan was erected between 1550 and 1565. In August 1608 the tenant was a Mr Tomas Kirby and it was described as "An Inn called the Swan with barns and stables, orchards and courtyards". The poet William Shenstone (1714-1763) was inspired by The White Swan to write his famous lines: "Whoever has travelled life's dull round, Wherever his stages may have been, May sigh to think he still has found, The warmest welcome at an inn." Some time after Shenstone wrote 'The warmest welcome at an Inn', the current fireplace was installed and you can still see the inscription of the year 1735 on it today. During the time of stagecoaches, the White Swan was a well known 30 mile Staging Post on the route from Lichfield to London. The White Swan was in the limelight again in 1776 when it was frequented by Samuel Johnson (born in Lichfield in 1709). He is said to have spent time here working on one of the most influential versions of the English dictionary. The ghost of an 18 year old lady of the night named Virginia Black used to haunt the corridor outside bedroom 17. She was said to have died after falling down the stairs during a quarrel with a gentleman in 1845. In 1855 the lawn to the rear of the hotel was a Bowling Green and in 1908 the adjacent walk through to the railway was created. The Courtyard of The White Swan was used for public hangings and from 1845 to 1903 the local Court was held at the inn. During Georgian times it was vogue to cover timbering, but during renovation works in 1935 (see the picture), the plaster was removed to reveal the original middle 16th century beams. More recently the Actor Michael Elphick became landlord of The White Swan. He is best remembered for his role as Ken Boon in the hit series "Boon" (1986). He died tragically at the early age of 55. During the filming of "I bought a Vampire Motorcycle" in 1990, in which Neil Morrisey played a despatch rider, The White Swan was used for catering and also provided accommodation for the actors and actresses. The White Swan still regularly attracts celebrities to its welcoming bar and quality Bliss restaurant. The Hotel is today under the caring control of the management team of Bliss Bars Ltd; Linda, Ian, Sarah and Steve, who are always delighted to receive customer feedback. |
| Modern Comforts in 16th Century Surroundings For your comfort, all of our delightfully appointed 8 bedrooms are en-suite and feature oak beams that date back to the origins of The White Swan Hotel.  All prices include Bed and Breakfast and Guests can also take advantage of our 10% residents discount on evening meals in our restaurant. All rooms have broadband internet connections.  |
| Room Tariff: Single Rooms £55 per night Double Rooms £75 per night Family Rooms £105 per night Historic Johnson Suite £105 per night To make a reservation please complete our enquiry form or telephone us on 01564 792 623 if calling from the UK or +44 (0) 1564 792 623 if calling from outside the UK. |
| Gastro Restaurant Your stay or visit to the White Swan just wouldn't be complete without enjoying a meal in our popular Bliss restaurant where you can sample the very best in British and International cuisine.  Our extensive menu caters for just about every taste with a large wine list ensuring there is a choice to tickle your taste buds and complement every one of our delicious platters. The restaurant is open every evening with last orders being taken at 9.30 p.m. weekdays and 10.00 p.m. weekends.Look out for our popular cabaret suppers where we combine the best in cuisine with top class entertainment in intimate surroundings. |
| Real Ales and Bar Food If you fancy a drink or a quick snack, pop into our comfortable, character bar at any time. Our extensively stocked bar with a fine selection of ales and lite bites is sure to prove a hit with you and your companions.  We have a choice of three guest cask ales, Adnams Broadside, Hooky Bitter & Black Sheep Bitter. |
| Local Attractions The White Swan Hotel, Henley-in-Arden, is ideally situated in the heart of England for visiting the many attractions or doing business in the region. A warm welcome always awaits you at The White Swan Hotel. Relax in comfortable, historic surroundings and sample fine cuisine in our character Bliss Gastro restaurant. Henley-in-Arden's chief feature is our high street. One of the best known in England, its rich diversity of architecture - red brick, black and white half timber and plaster - blends together as one single building.  Venture just a few miles down the road, through beautiful Warwickshire countryside, and you are in Straford-upon-Avon. Birthplace of Shakespeare and home to the Royal Shakepeare Company and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, historic Stratford is the most visited tourist location outside London and somewhere you simply cannot afford to miss. A few miles in the other direction is the County Town of Warwick with its impressive castle; the best preserved mediaeval castle in the country and dating back to the 11th century. Period displays and events take place throughout the year providing thrilling entertainment for the whole family. Alternatively you can take a leisurely stroll around the impressive castle and see how life has been lived over the centuries by the landed gentry. If it's entertainment you're looking for then the National Exhibition Centre and the National Arena are only a 15 minute drive away. There are International artists appearing and hundreds of events taking place throughout the year.  If the classics are more to your liking then in 20 minutes you can be in the heart of rejuvinated Birmingham with its world famous Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Royal Ballet, art galleries and theatres. Birmingham is also home to the International Conference Centre (ICC) and National Indoor Arena (NIA) which hosts International entertainment and sporting events regularly throughout the year. For shoppers, there's the modern, nationally recognised Bull Ring shopping centre with its iconic Selfridges building and hundreds of stores in the heart of the city. If you'd prefer to leave the car behind and take the train, the railway station is only a short walk away and has regular services to Birmingham, local towns and all national destinations. Regular bus services also operate from Henley to all local destinations. |
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