About The Swift

The Swift is a detached single-storey lodge at Whixall Marina on the Prees Branch of the Llangollen Canal in Whixall near Wem, Shropshire. It sleeps two guests and sits on a quiet plot overlooking the canal. Guests rate it 4.9 out of 5 across 47 reviews that's not luck, that's consistency. The setting is genuinely peaceful with wild birds, passing barges and open countryside on the doorstep.

Whixall and Bettisfield Mosses National Nature Reserve is right on the doorstep. Canal towpath walks lead directly from the marina. The on-site Waterside Café serves breakfasts and lunches with views of the water. Wem is 4.6 miles away and Shrewsbury is 11.2 miles for a proper day out.

The lodge is immaculately clean guests say so repeatedly. Inside you get an open-plan kitchen, dining and sitting area with a Smart TV and electric fire. The king-size bedroom is praised as extremely comfortable. The well-equipped kitchen includes a dishwasher and coffee machine with pods. Private enclosed decking with quality outdoor furniture and a gas BBQ completes the picture.

Shrewsbury (11.2 miles) offers the Quarry park and Shrewsbury Castle. Hawkstone Park Follies is around 10 miles away. Whitchurch market town is 9 miles. The Bull and Dog pub is just over 2 miles away.

The Swift is ideal for couples who want canal-side peace without sacrificing a well-equipped comfortable base. Book it for a proper Shropshire break.

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At Sykes Cottages

Need To Know

✓Gas central heating with electric fire
✓Electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, dishwasher
✓Smart tv and wifi
✓Fuel and power included in rent
✓Bed linen and towels included in rent
✓Off-road parking available
✓Enclosed decking with furniture
✓Sorry no smoking
✓Shop 4.7 miles, pub 2.3 miles
✓Note: check-in from 4pm, check-out at 10am
✓Please note, this property does not accept check in's on a saturday or a sunday (any other day is available)
✓Please note: this property can only accommodate up to two guests including infants

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The Swift Attractions & Days Out

Explore the wonderful attractions and activities surrounding The Swift during your stay. Find the best places to visit and things to do in the local area, all conveniently organised by distance and type. Charming villages to lively and exciting attractions - there's something for everyone to enjoy. Browse through our categories including attractions, walks & outdoor activities, shopping destinations and handy tips on getting around. Plan your perfect day out. Whether you're looking for family fun, romantic experiences, or pet-friendly adventures, this cottage provides an ideal base to explore Shropshire's fantastic days out. Click on any attraction for more detailed information including address, opening times and visitor tips.

Shropshire Falconry

Distance: 2.7 miles (6 min drive)

SY4 5UJ

Shrewsbury Castle

Distance: 15.3 miles (28 min drive)

SY1 2AT

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

Distance: 19.5 miles (38 min drive)

LL20 7YS

Shropshire Way

Distance: 0.8 miles (3 min drive)

Fenn's, Whixall, Bettisfield Mosses National Nature Reserve

Distance: 1.2 miles (5 min drive)

SY13 2RX

Iscoyd Park

Distance: 6.8 miles (17 min drive)

SY13 3AT

The Fruitful Deli

Distance: 5.3 miles (9 min drive)

SY4 5DG

Black 5 Books

Distance: 4.7 miles (9 min drive)

SY4 5DW

Aldi

Distance: 8.5 miles (16 min drive)

SY13 1JG

Prees Station

Distance: 3.6 miles (9 min drive)

SY13 2DW

Whitchurch Bus Station

Distance: 7.8 miles (16 min drive)

SY13 1BA

Liverpool John Lennon Airport

Distance: 50.7 miles (1 hr 16 min drive)

L24 1YD

Shropshire Falconry

Distance: 2.7 miles (6 min drive)

SY4 5UJ

Shrewsbury Castle

Distance: 15.3 miles (28 min drive)

SY1 2AT

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

Distance: 19.5 miles (38 min drive)

LL20 7YS

Shropshire Way

Distance: 0.8 miles (3 min drive)

Fenn's, Whixall, Bettisfield Mosses National Nature Reserve

Distance: 1.2 miles (5 min drive)

SY13 2RX

Iscoyd Park

Distance: 6.8 miles (17 min drive)

SY13 3AT

The Fruitful Deli

Distance: 5.3 miles (9 min drive)

SY4 5DG

Black 5 Books

Distance: 4.7 miles (9 min drive)

SY4 5DW

Aldi

Distance: 8.5 miles (16 min drive)

SY13 1JG

Prees Station

Distance: 3.6 miles (9 min drive)

SY13 2DW

Whitchurch Bus Station

Distance: 7.8 miles (16 min drive)

SY13 1BA

Liverpool John Lennon Airport

Distance: 50.7 miles (1 hr 16 min drive)

L24 1YD

Is The Swift Right For You?

Discover why this cottage is ideal for different types of visitors

For Families

The Swift sleeps just two guests so it is not suited to families with children. The canal towpath and Whixall Mosses are right outside and would appeal to older children who enjoy wildlife and walking but the single king-size bedroom and two-guest limit make this a couples property first and foremost.

For Couples

The Swift is built for two. A king-size bed praised by guests as extremely comfortable, private enclosed decking overlooking the canal, an on-site café and towpath walks from the door make this a genuinely good couples break. Shrewsbury is 11.2 miles away for a proper day out together.

Pet Friendly

The Swift accepts pets. Guests have noted the lodge remains fresh and clean despite being pet-friendly. A dog bowl is provided on arrival. Canal towpath walks and the Whixall Mosses paths start directly from the marina making it a practical base for dogs who need good daily exercise.

Dining & Cafes

Taste the local flavours during your stay at The Swift

Waterside Café (Whixall Marina)

Located On site from your accommodation.

Postcode: SY13 2QS

The Bull and Dog pub

Located 2.3 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: SY13 2HX

The Castle Hotel Wem

Located 4.6 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: SY4 5DG

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to our most common questions about The Swift

Does this cottage have a hot tub?

The Swift does not have a hot tub. The property focuses on canal-side walks, wildlife and a well-equipped interior rather than spa facilities.

Is The Swift pet friendly?

Yes, The Swift accepts pets. Guests have noted that the lodge remains clean and fresh despite its pet-friendly status so it is well maintained between stays.

How many guests can The Swift sleep?

The Swift accommodates a maximum of two guests including infants. It has one king-size bedroom and a sofa bed in the living area for occasional use.

What parking is available at The Swift?

There is off-road parking on a spacious driveway at the property. No road parking is required and the marina site is easy to navigate by car.

What days can I check in at The Swift?

Check-in is not available on Saturdays or Sundays. Any other day of the week is available with check-in from 4:00 PM and check-out by 10:00 AM.

What is included in the rental price?

Bed linen, towels, fuel and power are all included in the rent. A welcome pack with milk, biscuits, tea, coffee and sugar is also provided on arrival.

Can The Swift be booked as part of a larger group?

Yes. The Swift can be booked alongside four other properties at Whixall Marina (refs 1066187, 1066188, 1066189 and 1066190) to accommodate groups of up to 20 guests in total.

What is there to do near The Swift?

Canal towpath walks start directly from the marina and Whixall and Bettisfield Mosses National Nature Reserve is close by. Wem is 4.6 miles away and Shrewsbury is 11.2 miles for shops, restaurants and attractions.

Popular Stays Near This Cottage

Llanrhaeadr-Ym-Mochnant

The Swift Reviews

Quality accommodation including comfortable bed and well equipped kitchen area. Good WiFi too. Stunning location with pleasant onsite cafe. Lovely local walks along canal from cabin and wildlife to watch. Also on a clear night the stars are amazing.

We enjoyed our stay very much,so peaceful. We enjoyed going down to the cafe, they were friendly. We have two complaints, there was no empty shelves to put food away. We did expect there to be this as it was self catering. The other complaint, there was only one bedside lamp, we found this most odd as there were two of us staying there, the wall light on the same side as no lamp wasn't working either so one of us couldn't read. We did ask them to sort it out but was totally ignored.

Lovely comfortable lodge, exceptionally well equipped and in a peaceful, relaxing location. Walks from the door and a great cafe virtually on the doorstep. Would highly recommend.

My 3rd stay and, as usual, one of my most memorable breaks. The lodge is fantastic and more than fully equipped. The staff are all so friendly and helpful especially to one as forgetful as me. Walking is great and nature spotting is so accessible. Loved every minute and will definitely be back again. Thank you all.

Beautiful lodge in a pretty and quiet location yet convenient to reach places of interest nearby. Very well equipped and wonderfully clean. One of the best self catering places Ive ever stayed in. Look forward to returning.

A really nice, well equipped lodge in a beautiful setting. The sofa wasn't very comfortable, but the rest of the accommodation was fine. An ideal setting for a peaceful and relaxing holiday.

Angela

Delightful lodge that is clean, well equipped and a delight to stay in. Walks in the area are lovely and the cafe is brilliant Nice well kept and quiet site so if you want peace and quiet I would recommend

Stayed 6th to 10th February 2026. Loved this little lodge!! Layout, design, fixtures and fittings all excellent plus! All the equipment that you need is supplied, plus extras that you dont always find..including coffee machine with pods, dishwasher tablets. Milk and biscuits appreciated. Exceptionally clean, cosy and comfortable. Great spot, lovely cafe at the marina. Lovely that its not overcrowded with holiday accommodation!! Great to have circular walks right on the doorstep with maps and directions. All staff friendly and helpful. Had a brilliant stay.thank you. Jane.

Nicola

Thoroughly enjoyed my stay at The Swift. It was beautifully presented, clean warm and cosy. The kitchen was so well appointed , everything you could possibly need for preparing anything from a cuppa to a 5 course meal. Even a pint of milk was provided. Despite my reservations of it being pet friendly and the likelihood of dreadful doggy smell not a whiff !

The stay was fantastic everything we wanted. It was quiet and relaxing. The only one issue we had was the mattress on the bed was very soft and not very comfortable but that is our opinion and some people may like soft beds

Heather

The property and marina are excellent. I was disappointed with Sykes though. I contacted you responding to one of your emails it has no this email address is not monitored and did not bounce back about a week before the break to explain I wouldn't be being the family dog as she had recently died. I queried if Sykes would reimburse the charge I had paid for bringing the dog. I received no reply. Not great customer service considering the circumstances.

Lovely lodge, very comfortable and in a beautiful location. Tow path walks and the mosses very close.

Thankyou so much for our perfect break in The Swift holiday lodge. We were worn out and stressed when we arrived but the moment we stepped inside our accommodation, all our worries drifted away. It was immaculate and very clean. It's an incredibly designed and comfortable high quality lodge. Everything worked, including the WiFi. It was like staying in a bird hide watching all the nature outside. So peaceful and tranquil. We had some lovely days out to Shrewsbury, Ellesmere and Market Drayton all within half an hours drive and enjoyed a canal walk to Wixhall and Bettisfield Mosses with delicious picnic food from the Coop in Wem, which was around 15 minutes drive. Really appreciated our stay, we felt rested and restored by the end. Would highly recommend and definitely plan to return. Best Wishes to all the team for making things so good.

Michelle

Perfect getaway with everything we neededstunning shower and decor. Gem of a place that gave us the peace and tranquility we so desperately needed.

Andrew

Fantastic accommodation set in lovely quiet surroundings. The lodge was spotless and all the facilities were excellent. I couldnt have asked for a better base for exploring all the local Nature Reserves.

Very clean, well equipped, and in a beautiful setting. We loved our stay cosy, relaxing and peaceful the canal walks near the cottage and the wild birds visible from the property were a real treat. The nearby cafe was great too!

Gillian

Lovely cosy lodge in a peaceful location, perfect for exploring Shropshire. Swift was immaculate with everything we needed included, and a nice surprise of a festive tree. Thank you for the welcome pack and a relaxing break. We would love to return in the summer

Stephen

Beautiful lodge in lovely surroundings

Property exactly as described, appliances etc. all quality products. Perfect for our type of holiday.

Cosy lodge in a lovely peaceful setting. Loved the Marina cafe and would definitely like to return.

Lovely lodge ,clean tidy, love the outdoor sitting area , we did lack a coffee ... Lovely lodge ,clean tidy, love the outdoor sitting area , we did lack a coffee table ,but brought in a box from the veranda for our stay to put our book, phone , evening drink etc , the bed was superb , always happy with our a ccomodation regards Kay Gilliland

Beautiful Spot,friendly Staff. LovelyCafe.We would certainly stay there again.

Lovely setting on quiet plot overlooking canal but minutes walk to marina and cafe . The lodge has everything that you need included and very comfortable double bed and lovely shower room and toilet . Living room has smart tv and kitchen is well stocked with all you need if you wish to cook and dishwasher and fridge with small freezer compartment there is also a small dining area . Great secure decking area that has furniture and gas bbq if required and lovely to sit and watch boats chug past or when marina is closed just to sit in peace and quiet and watch and listen to nature . Lovely canal walk straight from marina with links to other longer walks to other villages and whixall mosses which was great day . Really friendly staff onsite in the marina the office and the cafe which does great cakes . I agree with other comments that the couch is not the most comfortable but I think it is because it is a junior pull out bed . Also I agree with others that a window that can be opened would be better in the living room as it does get very warm while your out and although the bedroom and bathroom windows can be fully opened the doors are fire doors so cannot be wedged open to let air circulate . No problem if your in lodge because large patio doors slide open to let air in . Thank you for a very relaxing stay .

My second visit and, for the moment, a great place to stay. It is a shame about the building works which have disturbed my usual tranquility. The joy of staying here has been the peacefulness of the location do not let this be spoilt by over development. Love the welcoming tea and biscuits.

Very good,lovely site and area to explore, very very peaceful for me and my wife ... Very good,lovely site and area to explore, very very peaceful for me and my wife ideal for us two , hope to be back, we used the local pub quite a few times the Bull and Dog , great food, just over 2 miles from the Whixall marina, yes a very enjoyable holiday,

Everything was thought of from milk in the fridge and some biscuits as well as teabags, coffee and sugar. We were able to unpack and relax with a cuppa within half an hour. The marina is beautiful and the residents are really friendly. The cafe on site is competitively priced if you don't want to cook, but everything from crockery to cooking utensils and pans, is provided in the lodge if you do. I highly recommend this venue.

The only downside to this property is that if the weather is hot, it gets very warm inside. A fan is available which does help. Otherwise absolutely perfect for a couple.

A delightful chalet with all amenities. The location is fantastic so quiet and chilling. Love the sounds of sheep, birds and the occasional chugging of the barges. Loved clocking the birds in the hedging to the side whitethroats, lesser whitethroats, blackcaps, chiffchaff, robins, etc.,etc. So peaceful. Love it and will return some day soon.

Very clean, comfortable and set in a lovely peaceful position. So relaxing for us that we booked for an extra two nights.

Donald

Nice lodge comfortable & well planned out fully equipped although no washing ... Nice lodge comfortable & well planned out fully equipped although no washing machine really quiet location will definitely return

Dilwyn

Immaculate lodge for a couple or couple with 2 young kids. High quality fixtures and everything you need for selfcatering. The lodge is set in a beautiful location with lovely views to admire from the high quality outside furniture. Very comfortable bed, though the bedsettee is not the most comfortable. Bathroom is roomy with lovely large shower. Owners are very friendly and efficient. I would not hesitate to return.

Cynthia

Lovely clean and inviting place to stay. Really enjoyed our time there.it was lovely to watch the barges go by while sitting on the deck outside.

Samantha

We had a lovely stay at The Swift, a beautiful lodge and surroundings. Very clean and well maintained. We hope to be back in the future and will definitely recommend to friends and family.

Philip

Everything was perfect Nice clean property and facilities were excellent ... Everything was perfect Nice clean property and facilities were excellent Only thing I would mention is the settee was not the most comfortable Everything else perfect

Andrew

This is our second time staying in the Swift. It is a lovely location with so many local places to visit. A nice cafe in the Marina and a number of good eating pubs in the area. We hired a dayboat from the Marina through Anglo Welsh and had a peaceful day out on the canal. No doubt that we will be back for a third time.

Michael

Amazing few days in the Swift, everything was thought about , nothing that we could say I wish they had . ... The weather was lovely and it was very peaceful, all in all a lovely break

It was such a pleasure staying in this lovely lodge, situated in a secluded position yet conveniently located to explore Shropshire. Everything is brand new and spotlessly clean. It is beautifully furnished and very well equipped. We enjoyed every minute. The reason we have given 4 stars for comfort is due to the fact that it gets unbearably hot and it was only in the low 20s. Thankfully, we had taken our own fan. There is one provided in the bedroom but the extra one we used in the living area. I must add that the bed is extremely comfortable. This is definitely one of those rare hidden gems.

Leave a Review

The Swift, Wem

About The Swift

Need To Know

More Cottages With Hot Tubs You May Like

The Swift Attractions & Days Out

Is The Swift Right For You?

For Families

For Couples

Pet Friendly

Dining & Cafes

Waterside Café (Whixall Marina)

The Bull and Dog pub

The Castle Hotel Wem

Frequently Asked Questions

Location Name

Popular Stays Near This Cottage

The Swift Reviews