Dinner in the R.M.S Olympic dining room (White Swan Hotel, Alnwick)

Posted on by Fee Hudson

If I had a super power then I would definitely choose time travel. However since that isn’t possible eating at the White Swan Hotel in Alnwick, Northumberland was a good second best.

The hotel itself is 300 years old, originally a Coaching Inn, it has expanded and been remodelled over the years in to the building it is today. In 1935, the hotel’s owner Algernon Smart bought interiors from the RMS Olympic that were being sold at auction which were then included in the remodelling of the building.

The dining room is decorated with original panelling, mirrors, ceiling and stained glass from the RMS Olympic’s first class lounge, sister ship of the Titanic. The revolving door from the restaurant is now the front door of the hotel and the banisters from the grand staircase can be seen as you enter. The Olympic and Titanic were built at the same time with almost identical fittings so this is as close to experiencing a trip on the Titanic as you are going to get.

A shot of 4 round tables set for dinner for 6 with white table cloths. The tables sit in front of the ornate wooden panelling and windows of the Olympic dining room.
A round table with a white table cloth, table setting with 2 forks, 2 knives, a side plate with bread roll.
3 small square tables set for 2 for dinner with white table cloths. The front table is in front an ornate marble fireplace with a mirror above it.

The Food

For evening dinner there is a set menu to choose from which isn’t extensive but has a reasonable choice. There is the option for either two courses or 3 in a set menu. Pip had hunter’s chicken, Andy had duck and I had a vegetarian pasta. Andy had a starter and Pip and I had deserts. We all enjoyed our dinner although I did find my pasta was incredibly spicy and not the most exciting of vegetarian choices.

Duck leg with new potatoes and carrots and mange tout.
A plate of hunter's chicken with a serving of chips and salad.
A bowl of spaghetti with a tomato and vegetable sauce and topped with mange tout.

Child Friendly

There isn’t a specific children’s menu but they will do half portions of the main menu.

Our Thoughts

We all enjoyed our meals but were a little frustrated as when we booked we were told that there was a coach party on the same evening, we selected an early dining time so that we would be in before it got busy, however the large group seemed to be seated at the same time as us. When it came to ordering deserts, the one I wanted wasn’t available because the coach party had all ordered it.

Dining in the Olympic dining room is still a really special experience and for history lovers I would still recommend it. They do also do an afternoon tea in the dining room on certain dates which we originally wanted to do but it wasn’t available on the day we were in Alnwick.

A shot of the Olympic dining room with several round tables set for dinner with white table cloths. The interior of the room is wood panelled with decorative windows.
The bannister carving of an acorn with leaves around in the the stairs leading up to the Olympic dining room.
A photo of the menu. Starters: Leek and Potato soup, Garlic mushrooms with Ciabatta, Italian Caprese with Pesto Dressing, Meat Plata with Pesto dressing. Mains: Duck leg with Red Wine Jus served with New POtatoes and vegetables, Hunters Chicken with Chips and salad, Sausage Mash, Peas and Onion Gravy, Seabass, mash, Asparagus with White Wine and Caper Sauce, Veg Linguine with a Tomato based Sauce. Desert: Lemon Posset with crushed meringue and shortbread, Chocolate brownie with vanilla Ice-cream, Mixed Ice-cream, Cheese board with crackers, fresh fruit and chutney.

Parking

On street parking is available nearby including a disc parking area.

Leave a comment