A HOTEL in the New Forest has a new owner after being put on the market for £1.25m.

Sway Manor near Lymington has been sold to Tim Burton-Holloway by south west hotels specialists Colliers International.

Mr Burton-Holloway has managed the Boundary and Cadogan and Kensington hotels in London This is his first venture as an owner.

Colliers International’s hotels director Simon Wells said: “New Forest continues to punch well above its weight with increasing visitor numbers attracted in part by the area’s upmarket hotel offering. Top New Forest hotels do not come to the market very often and Sway Manor didn’t stay on the market long.”

Mr Burton-Holloway will be running Sway Manor with his wife Edlyn, who also has experience in the hospitality sector.

He said: “The New Forest is a well known tourist and touring hub with a host of great attractions within comfortable driving distance but I think there is massive potential here for further growth.

“We will be launching a major upgrade of our facilities in order to improve the offering to our local customers as well as visitors.”

The hotel has an impressive 16-bedrooms and is surrounded by five acres of grounds.