One of Bedford’s most iconic buildings has unveiled a major new expansion, with 24 additional rooms now open at the historic Bedford Swan Hotel.
The new extension features a mix of suites, classic doubles, and accessible rooms, alongside a new fitness suite, staff offices, and a dedicated staff rest area.
It brings the total number of hotel rooms to 137, with an additional seven self-service apartments already operating on Lurke Street.
Hotel manager Tom Webb said the project had been “a long time coming” but praised the architects and planning team for making the most of limited town centre space.
“There’s been a lot of planning and very good architecture,” said Tom. “We’ve managed to do it, and it’s worked out very, very well.”
Each of the 24 new bedrooms has been meticulously decorated to the highest standard, featuring modern furnishings and a calming, contemporary ambience.
Some rooms offer scenic views across the town bridge and river, providing a quiet place to relax right in the heart of Bedford.
Care has been taken to make sure the new section blends seamlessly with the existing Georgian building, utilising traditional masonry work to replicate the original style of the hotel.
A perfect blend
“It’s almost as if it is an original part of the building,” said Tom. “It looks fantastic and it blends in nicely.”
The Bedford Swan Hotel was built between 1794 and 1796 for Francis Russell, the 5th Duke of Bedford, as both a hotel and a political base.
It was constructed on the site of a 16th-century timber-framed coaching inn, known as the Swan Inn, which had previously served as Bedford’s first post office in 1678.
That building, now the oldest part of the hotel, was designed by renowned architect Henry Holland, whose other commissions included country houses for the Whig aristocracy and parts of Knightsbridge and Chelsea.
Before working on the Swan, Holland had already remodelled the Duke’s residence at Woburn Abbey.
Elements from other grand estates were incorporated into the hotel, including the 1688 staircase from Houghton House near Ampthill, which the Duke began dismantling in 1794.
Holland’s original design for the Swan featured two ornamental gates, one to the north and one to the south, the latter of which was removed around 1880 to make way for the Embankment.
Landmark of Bedford
The latest extension was officially opened by the Mayor of Bedford Borough, Tom Wootton, who praised the Swan’s owners and management for continuing to invest in the town.
“As mayor of the borough of Bedford, it’s my job to say thank you to anybody who wants to put the money into this town – the best place in the world,” said the mayor.
“This building has such great significance and history. It’s mentioned in medieval times, and the Duke of Bedford – the same family who built Woburn Abbey – did the first extension on the front here. You just see the history in the actual stones.”
Calling it “the best quality hotel” in the area, he added: “This is one of the most photographed and painted buildings in Bedford.”
As well as overnight guests, the Swan continues to be a favourite for locals too, offering a spa, restaurant and events space.
“It’s a landmark of Bedford,” said Tom. “It’s an honour to work here. It’s that little bit of luxury that you can get in this area, which is what we’re after.”
The Swan’s thermal spa is open seven days a week, and the Pen & Cob brasserie and riverside terrace are popular with residents and visitors alike. The team is now preparing for a busy festive period, with Christmas events already booking up.
“Any type of event you can think of, we’ll do it,” said Tom. “And this year, our terrace will stay open for the winter too.”
