First mentioned in a rental document in 1499, the Swan hotel is an iconic building, set in the old market town of Alton. A tavern and hostelry, it was listed in 1674 as having 18 chambers, a parlour, kitchen, brewhouse, malthouse, old kitchen, and wine and beer cellars. It was further developed in 1777 to become the coaching inn you see today.
The Swan would have been well known to famous local residents; author Jane Austen and naturalist Gilbert White. Henry Ford and the actress Merle Oberon once stayed whilst Ford was on the way from Southampton to his Dagenham plant, and Kathleen Kennedy, sister to the American President, John F. Kennedy, moved in for a time shortly after her marriage to William Cavendish, the Marquess of Hartington.
This charming hotel is the perfect setting to enjoy dishes from our seasonal menu, accompanied with a great range of cask ales, premium lagers and fine wines.