The Ingham Swan

The meal had some real standouts: the velouté and bread were lovely, the rhubarb tart with tonka bean ice-cream was a highlight, and breakfast’s oyster mushrooms were great. The wine was excellent too. Our food was very good, though for the prices I expected more of a wow, especially from the fish mains. The rooms were tasteful and comfortable, with high-quality touches, but a little overpriced. The double room bathroom felt cramped, and with the towel rail left on it became sauna-like.

We spent Valentine’s Day here this year. The food was fabulous and the service outstanding. Our room was clean and lovely. Just a small gripe: the underfloor heating didn’t reach the bathroom, which felt quite cold compared with the room.

The seven-course tasting menu was really good, and breakfast was very good too, with perfectly poached eggs, warm croissants and homemade bread. The staff were attentive throughout, even with the place so busy, and couldn’t be faulted. We had a really good stay in one of the cottage rooms. It felt cosy, and the explanations at check-in made everything straightforward. The underfloor heating was easy to adjust, though the bathroom was much cooler. The Nespresso machine, biscuits, large bottle of water and good-quality bathroom products were nice to have. We slept well despite being near the main road, which turned out not to be noisy. It’s very rural, so don’t expect to walk to shops. There’s only a very small seating area downstairs in the main building if you want a drink.

The tasting menu was fantastic, and the wine pairing went beautifully with every dish. The snacks, pre-starter, pre-dessert and optional cheese course stood out, though all the courses were great. For my palate, the langoustine cream on the fish course overpowered the delicate scallops. The wine server was really knowledgeable, and all the staff made the night. We came for our anniversary and chose the dine and stay package. The food was the best we’ve ever had, simply impeccable. I can see why it has 3 AA rosettes and is in the Michelin Guide, it deserves the accolades. I’d absolutely recommend it, even with the travel and price. For a special occasion or celebration, it’s worth considering.