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SwaffhamCopyright Martin Pearman

Information

County - Norfolk | Map
Tel code: 01760 | code search
Postcode: PE37 | code search
Population: 6000
Swaffham Jobs
Rather interesting Swaffham facts
Visitor reports

Add your shop free
Folk Customs:
Blessing the Nets
Jack Valentine
World Fen Skating Championships

Swaffham Events

August
​Swaffham Free Festival

Latest reviews

Cockley Cley Iceni Village
"The worst place I have ever spent money on, the 'village' is laughably pathetic, the mannequins look like they were placed there 2000 years ago they are that delapidated, the ..." More

The Horse and Groom Hotel
"heard alot about this public house /hotel since it has been under new ownership-yhink the family have now been there about a year. can I say we were welcomed and ..." More

Greyhound
"the Greyhound inn is a wonderful pub for any person.it has a nice pool table along with a dart board,a megatouch any other gaming equiptment.i reccomend you try it out ..." More

Travel Tip

"A beautiful market town with a newly refurbished market place. Excellent FREE parking in the town centre with superb facilities. The cleanliness and lack of litter was particularly noticeable. Visiting ..." More

Swaffham Reviews (18)

Visitor's Views

We are actually newcomers to Swaffham. We arrived in 1996 ...More

Best rates for a Local Hotel

Latest reviews | Events in Swaffham | 10 Places to Stay

Swaffham, a market town of some 6,000 souls, is situated at the edge of Breckland. Bypassed these days by the A47 Norwich to King’s Lynn road, the town nevertheless cannot be missed by motorists, its huge wind turbines being visible from miles away. The story of Swaffham is one of evolution and change, with buildings and events from many periods marking the history of the place. William the Conqueror gave the manor of Swaffham to the Earls of Richmond (Ralph Guader, who had held the town under Harold, like most of the Saxon nobility being displaced). A market charter was granted in 1215, with three fairs allowed (in May, July, and November), reflecting the prosperity of the town as a wool centre. Nearby too were the important Castle Acre Priory and Castle. The church of St Peter and St Paul with its fine hammer beam roof, was started in 1454, partly financed by John Chapman the peddler of Swaffham. Chapman went to London to find his fortune after repeated dreams, only to be told by a shopkeeper there to return home and dig under his own apple tree, where he found two pots of gold coins. The Georgian period saw great developments in the town as a spa, many of the buildings in the centre dating from that elegant time. The Butter Cross was built in 1783 by the Earl of Orford: eight columns support its dome, with the goddess Ceres above it, a structure of classical simplicity worthy of that greater spa town Bath. The same Earl, along with some friends, invented the sport of hare coursing in 1776 in the Greyhound pub in the town, as a diversion suited to what was by then a fashionable centre of the leisured classes. In recent times Swaffham has bloomed as an eco-centre, its two giant wind turbines rising like giant flowers above the landscape, signalling the location of the Ecotech Centre in the town, and another era in its development.

Attraction

Cockley Cley Iceni Village
Ecotech Centre
Iceni Village and Museums
Swaffham Museum

Camping

Breckland Meadows Touring Park

Care Home

Necton Grange

Classes

Dance - Performa Academy of Dance

Cottage

Squirrel Cottage

Doctor

Campingland Surgery
Dr Dorling & Partners
Dr Skinner & Partners

Estate Agent

Abbotts Estate Agents Ltd
Brittan Leond & Co Ltd
Brown William H
Hockleys Estate Agents
Nash & Co

Farmers Market

Swaffham Farmers Market

Golf Club

Swaffham Golf Club

Holiday Park

Pentney Park

Inn

George Hotel

Market

Friends Of Swaffham Rec Car Boot
Swaffham Farmers Market
Swaffham Market

Pub and Bar

Great Danes Country Inn by The Green
Greyhound

School

Sacred Heart Convent School

Solicitor

Ward Gethin

Taxi

Cool Cabs
Platinum Cars

Vet

The Grove

Sports Clubs

Swaffham CC (Cricket)
Swaffham RUFC (Rugby Union)

Shops

Swaffham Florist Ltd
Boots
Necton Garden Centre
Pet Provision
D A Seaman
Finishing Touch

Antiques

Swaffham Antiques Supplies

Places to Stay near Swaffham

map website

Strattons Hotel & Restaurant (0.12 miles)

Strattons Hotel & Restaurant

Strattons is an independent boutique hotel secluded in the historic Market town of Swaffham, offering guests ‘luxury without sacrifice to the environment’.

Owners Vanessa and Les Scott met at Great Yarmouth Art College and began restoring ... More | visit website

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The Horse and Groom Hotel (0.12 miles)

There are eight rooms in total, consisting of twin, single and double rooms. All rooms have tea and coffee making facilities, brand new en suite bathrooms and all prices include breakfast for two. ... More | visit website
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George Hotel (0.12 miles)

George Hotel

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The Best Western George Hotel, located in Swaffham is a charmingly restored 17th Century coaching inn. With a Georgian facade and a complimentary modern bedroom wing. We are situated in a charming ... More

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Lydney House (0.30 miles)

Lydney House

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This stunning 18th century Georgian Merchant’s house is set in its own grounds close to the heart of one of Norfolk’s most historic market towns. Built in 1746, Lydney House provides a ... More

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Swaffham Lodge A47 (0.31 miles)

Swaffham Lodge A47
Swaffham Lodge is a Three Star staff managed bungalow providing 24 hour check-in/out, with a choice of rooms. Swaffham Lodge is located just off the A47 in Norfolk, close to RAF Marham and five minute’s walk from ... More | visit website
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The Olde Windmill Inn (4.71 miles)

The Olde Windmill Inn

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A village inn since circa 1650. The hostelry has built its reputation on serving high quality competitively priced food, from an extensive menu with changing daily specials; plus six real ... More

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Hilborough Swan Inn (5.25 miles)

As well as unwinding and relaxing with us, we provide an ideal base from which you can explore Norfolk. The Swan Inn is also a wonderful place in which to celebrate a variety of ... More
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Bull Inn (6.78 miles)

Bull Inn

The Bull is a traditional coaching Inn dating from the early 17th century, although the foundations date from the mid 1300's making it the second oldest Inn in Norfolk. It was the first or last ... More | visit website

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Broom Hall Country Hotel (6.96 miles)

Broom Hall Country Hotel
Charming family run Victorian Country House offering peace and tranquillity. Approached by a winding driveway set in 15 acres of country garden and parkland. Ornate ceilings grace the public room and a large open fire ... More | visit website
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The Hare & Barrel Hotel (7.43 miles)

The Hare & Barrel Hotel

We would like to wish you a very pleasant stay in our Hotel where we try and create a traditional family atmosphere for both our daily customers and residents alike. Here at The Hare & ... More | visit website

Brit Quote:
Biologically speaking, if something bites you it's more likely to be female. - Desmond Morris
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On this day:
St Brice's Day Massacre - 1002, Battle of Alnwick - 1093, Battle of Turnham Green - 1642, Battle of Sheriffmuir - 1715, Caister Lifeboat Disaster - 1901, Ark Royal Torpedoed - 1941, Geoffrey Howes resignation speech - 1990
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