Lion and Swan Inn in Congleton, Cheshire, takes meetings of up to 30 people in two rooms, weddings with up to 80 seated guests and evening receptions of up to 150, and offers 21 bedrooms on site. It is a hotel, restaurant and bar under one roof on Swan Bank, in the centre of the town.
Seminars and company events
The inn sells meeting rooms and larger group bookings as a separate offer from its restaurant and bar. Room One suits working sessions of up to 12 delegates. Room Two takes up to 30 delegates and can be arranged with different table layouts, so it works for a workshop, a board meeting or a training half-day. Both rooms are booked by the hour under the venue's business package.
Because the bedrooms are in the same building, a team can meet in the morning, eat on site and stay overnight without moving. The lounge and the restaurant are used for lunches and dinners around a meeting, and the venue also runs Christmas party bookings for companies.
Weddings and receptions
The inn presents weddings as a full offer. The ceremony takes place in the Terrace, an indoor space, and the seated meal follows directly in Pecks Restaurant, which is linked to it. Ceremony and seated dining are limited to 80 guests. For the evening, the guest list can grow to 150.
The Terrace can be converted into a party space after dinner. Radley and Co., the live-music cellar bar in the same building, is used for evening receptions. The Lounge, in the oldest part of the inn, is kept for quieter moments during the day. An in-house wedding planner works with the couple, and the wedding breakfast is prepared by the team behind Pecks.
Rooms and capacities
Room One holds up to 12 people and Room Two up to 30. For weddings, the figures are 80 for the ceremony and the seated meal, and 150 for the evening. The venue does not publish a separate figure for standing receptions or for conferences in theatre style, so organisers with a larger group should ask before assuming a layout.
Accommodation
There are 21 boutique bedrooms, from single rooms to family rooms. All are en suite, with free fibre Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV, tea and coffee facilities, a desk, sound-proofing and room service. Reception is staffed from 7 am to 11 pm, with out-of-hours support around the clock. Breakfast is served every morning in the venue.
Catering
Food is prepared in house. Pecks Restaurant runs a tasting menu and a high tea, and the Lounge serves breakfast, lunch and evening meals. Weddings are catered by the Pecks team, with packages that include canapés and a toast. The venue states that its open kitchen cannot guarantee dishes free from allergens, so dietary needs must be given in advance.
History and setting
The Lounge sits in the oldest section of the inn, which gives the building a historic character that is used for smaller gatherings. The inn belongs to Pear Hospitality, a group that runs several venues, and the address is Swan Bank, Congleton, Cheshire CW12 1JR.
Getting there
The inn stands on Swan Bank in the middle of Congleton. Organisers should confirm parking and transport for delegates directly with the venue, and can reach the team on 01260 211211 or at info@lionandswan.co.uk.
