Swan Chalet Branscombe

18/04/2024

18/04/2024

I'd been hoping to give a positive update by now on repairs to Swan Chalet. Unfortunately, more than five months on from Storm Ciarán, there is not much to report! Work can't begin until utilities are reconnected and access is safe, but the winter weather severely hindered restoration of the track and further storms in March and April undid much of the hard work of the Sea Shanty team up to that point. Most demoralising 😬 However, undeterred, the team are pressing valiantly on: as they said the other day, 'fourth time lucky!' We're all keeping fingers firmly crossed that this spell of dry weather continues for a while.

Photos show views of Swan to the east and west, with damage to the track and utilities clearly visible in the foreground.

02/11/2023

Today has been a brutal reminder of the power of the sea 🌊

Our stretch of coastline bore the full brunt of Storm Ciarán this morning at high tide, and sadly most of Branscombe's beach chalets have sustained some form of damage, including Swan.

Thankfully our guests who were staying had booked into alternative accommodation for last night, so everyone was safe. We actually got off relatively 'lightly', with just the front bedroom smashed in, three broken windows and some internal damage to the bedroom and living area. Other chalets have been completely devastated. The access track has been washed away, and all utilities (electricity/gas/water/waste) have been compromised. None of the chalets is currently habitable, even those that remain structurally sound.

The future is uncertain. Hopefully, with time, we'll be able to fix Swan up, but access is going to be another issue... For now, we have patched up the damage (huge thanks to my friends David and Sid Miller for coming to the rescue!) and protected the exposed areas; there's nothing else we can do but watch and wait for further information. If you have a provisional booking for 2024, I will be in touch over the next couple of days but do feel free to message me directly.

17/02/2023

Wonderful late afternoon shot of anglers on Branscombe beach, taken by Paul Newman earlier this week.

03/09/2022

Just had to share...

Branscombe Calendar 2023 – available now!

Featuring 12 beautiful images by talented local photographer Paul Newman – including an iconic cover shot of the much-missed Branscombe Pearl II – this sturdy double-page, spiral-bound calendar measures 40cm x 26cm when opened out.

Calendars are £9.50 each (+ £2.50 for 1st class postage if required). Free collection/delivery within the village.

Email Paul directly to order ([email protected]), or anyone booked into Swan before the end of the year can order via me and your calendar will be waiting for you on arrival.

18/06/2022

Such a lovely surprise to find this beautiful embroidery on the new oven gloves at Swan Chalet yesterday, courtesy of a couple of our regular guests. Thank you so much Jo Nutland and Janet Nutland 😍 x

25/04/2022

If you missed out on a summer booking at Swan Chalet, or are looking for holiday accommodation in Branscombe with (considerably!) more space than Swan has to offer, you may wish to consider my friend Lizzie's beautiful home – available via Airbnb for weekly rentals (Saturday changeover) in June, July and August. It's a short walk from Branscombe beach, and literally around the corner from the newly refurbished The Masons Arms, Branscombe 🍻

Entire home/flat in Devon, United Kingdom. Available Jun,Jul & Aug with Saturday check ins. A delightful spacious house in the heart of Branscombe village with parking for 2/3 cars, garden, ...

04/04/2022

Had a memorably wonderful dinner last week at Glebe House Devon in Southleigh, just a few miles from Branscombe:

www.glebehousedevon.co.uk

Glorious views (including cute piglets zooming around the paddock next to the car park), informally stylish interiors, cheerful and welcoming staff, beautifully cooked and presented local, seasonal food... You may have seen head chef Sam Lomas recently as a finalist on Great British Menu 2022.

Thoroughly recommended for a special occasion, as is Robin Wylde in Lyme Regis ⭐️

11/01/2022

Didn't manage a New Year's Day swim this year, as it was just too rough to be sensible... But here we are heading in for our full moon swim in December. Thanks to Nicola and Louise for the company, and Dave for the photo and the 🔥.

I'm looking forward to welcoming all our Swan Chalet guests in 2022, and hoping that this year is uplifting for all!

03/11/2021

I was so touched to be left this beautiful painting of the Branscombe Pearl II by one of our younger guests, who stayed at Swan over half term. She also left a lovely note, saying: 'This place will always be my number one favourite.' 🥰 I look forward to welcoming you and your family back again next year, Elise!

12/04/2021

Freshly re-oiled kitchen stools sunning themselves yesterday morning, in preparation for welcoming our first guests back this week! Looking forward to a great season ☀️

NB: we are fully booked until early November apart from just one week (w/c 24th Sept @ £600); please get in touch if you're interested.