The Swan at Southrop has all the ingredients for a properly atmospheric Cotswolds Christmas party: a centuries-old village pub, roaring fires, low-slung ceilings and those slightly higgledy-piggledy touches that makes a group dinner feel relaxed. Set in the heart of Southrop village, just a short stroll from Thyme, it offers a cosy, food-led alternative to a larger hotel celebration.
The pub’s history stretches back to at least 1606, when the building was known as the Bakehouse and served bread and ale to local farm workers. Today, it forms part of Thyme, the luxury boutique hotel, spa and restored estate spread across 150 acres of gardens, farmland and meadows in the Gloucestershire Cotswolds.
For festive gatherings, the Garden Room can host up to 24 guests, making it particularly well suited to private Christmas lunches and dinners with friends, family or colleagues. The room itself has an understated country-house feel, with exposed stone, dark timber, soft neutral walls and a long central table that suits shared conversation particularly well.
The festive menu keeps things comforting and seasonal. Groups can choose two starters, with options including prawn cocktail, country terrine with pickles, cured trout with cucumber salad, or pear, blue cheese, chicory and walnut salad. Baked Vacherin with potatoes, pickles and salami can also be added for a more indulgent beginning. For mains, the choices lean into proper winter food: beef bourguignon with mash, slow-baked pork belly with mash, fish pie, or lentils with pumpkin, chestnuts and green sauce. Roast sirloin with all the trimmings is available as an upgrade. Pudding continues in the same vein, with steamed ginger pudding, baked rice pudding with cream, or chocolate mousse finished with cream and amaretti.
While there isn't accomodation specficially at The Swan, there is plenty of room at Thyme, and it's a gorgeous place to spend a few nights before Christmas.