Swan Hotel

The Swan Hotel is a mid-18th century hotel located on the east side of Market Place in Sturminster Newton. It is constructed of brick, primarily in Flemish bond, with significant use of rubbed and gauged brickwork, as well as header bond in vitrified brick. The building features a tiled roof with brick stacks and stands two storeys tall with eight bays.

The facade is notable for its unusual classical design. The two central bays are topped with a pediment, and the outer bays are flanked by Doric pilasters that display Tudor roses. The abaci of these pilasters extend continuously into an eaves cornice. Similar pilasters are found flanking the central bays, with a central pilaster supporting a complete Doric entablature that extends into the tympanum of the pediment.

The windows are primarily sash types with glazing bars, mostly set in moulded frames. Many ground floor windows now sit under flat arches but originally had round arches with keystones. The upper floor windows are all positioned under segmental brick arches with brick keystones. The first bay features a 20th-century entrance, while the fourth bay has a round-headed door framed by a wooden architrave and topped with a flat hood supported by pairs of shaped brackets. The eighth bay includes a segmental arch leading to a passage at the rear. A string course separates the two storeys, and the tympanum contains two niches along with a brick roundel that features a painting of a swan.