Short stay: The Swan Hotel, Newby Bridge, Cumbria, UK

The Swan Hotel is a former sixteenth-century coaching inn that has been extended to become virtually a Lake District resort. Ivy grows on whitewashed walls that overlook the five arches of the narrow 1651 Newby Bridge. Meanwhile the River Leven that sedately flows towards Lake Windermere.

After flooding in December 2015, The Swan Hotel rose revitalised from murky waters with colourful, vibrant flare. Public areas are decorated with custom made wallpaper featuring giant macaws. There is a jaunty confidence to the restaurant’s decor: dark navy blue walls and cerise banquettes topped with chintzy floral backs. But there’s farmhouse tradition too, with a flint stone fireplace, willow pattern crockery for breakfast and local wicker work art.

The welcome

With social distancing a priority, a gateman checks that visitors have a reservation for drinks, a meal or a room before guiding them to an extensive car park.

With registration details previously…