John Browne token, 1657.

Found as the WHITE SWAN, SWAN INN or SWAN HOTEL from 1610 to 1865.

Thomas Tilbury, at the RAMPANT HORSE, advised that on Monday 27th April 1769, he would remove to the White Swan. The Clerk of Assize-Office would in future be kept at the White Swan.

In May 1780 the New and Commodious FLYING POST COACH left on the 17 hour journey to London.
Six inside passengers could be accommodated at the charge
of £1/1/0 each.
In August 1781 it was advertised that the fare to London remained the same. The fare to Bath was £2/2/0 with that to Bristol an extra 4 shillings.

Thomas Tilbury informed his customers 28th November 1782 that he was ` making Additions to his house and Stables in the compleatest Manner, and with the greatest Expedition, which he flatters himself will meet their Approbation ......'
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The house was engaged for Freeholders, the Friends of Sir Edward Astley, Bart. and Thomas William Coke, Esq. on Wednesday 14th April 1784, being the Day of Election. (One of 53 such houses in Norwich)
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Mrs. Harcourt, widow of the late Boys Harcourt, formerly of the White Swan, St. Peter's Mancroft, died Friday 27th July 1786 - Age 81.
<So Mr. Harcourt possibly licensee c1765 or pre 1758?>


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One of 36 Norwich houses opened for the reception of Voters in the interest of Mr. Windham and Mr. Coke on election day Thursday 13th November 1806. The name of the Hundred for which the house was appropriated was to be displayed at each house.
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John Sayer, formerly of the ROSE INN, St Augustine's, entered this house on Midsummer's Day 1810.

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For Sale by Auction Thursday 7th March 1811.
Then leased to John Patterson at £30 per annum.
Included in the lot was the vaulted cellar below and part of the Butchery, the cellar divided into packing places for stalls, let to John Starr at £13 per annum.

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Offered for sale 31st March 1814.
Offered For Sale by Auction Saturday 9th April 1814.
Offered again for sale or let, with immediate possession, 2nd July 1814. Described as having 24 comfortable bed-rooms, numerous servants rooms and attics, two commodious dining-rooms, and eight good parlours, coffee and travellers rooms, two cooking kitchens and a bar commanding a view of the yard and offices, and good wine vaults and beer cellars. The extensive yard for carriages having stabling for 70 horses, hay lofts, straw-houses, granaries and outhouses. The Norwich Expedition and Lynn Coaches make use of the facilities. In substantial repair and part thereof being new built at considerable expense....

Daniel Nobbs, for many years Butler to Hudson Gurney Esq., and late of the White Lion Beccles, announced 17th September 1814 that he had taken the Inn

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On Thursday 20th January 1820 the Duke of Wellington stopped here for twenty minutes on his way to join other dignitaries at Gunton Hall.
Word of his presence soon spread and hundreds flocked to the Inn Yard to greet with enthusiasm their "County's pride" whose "martial glory, fills the world".
The visit by the Duke interrupted a private performance by Mr. Gyngell before several highly respectable gentlemen of the city and neighbourhood, and their families; who immediately came down from the room to welcome his Grace. They were received with great affability and several children who were introduced to him were saluted.

< Incidentally: the temperature in Norwich on 15th January 1820 had dropped to 7 deg F (- 14 deg C) and generally temperatures had not been so low in January since 1789 when on 12th January the temperature dropped to 4 deg F (-15.5 deg C). On the 20th January 1820 the temperature averaged 30 deg F (-1 deg C) for the day.>

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Mr. Gyngell's Performance at the Little Theatre, Swan Inn, St. Peters, of the last New Piece of the WILD MAN was to run from Saturday 22nd January 1820 and every evening in the ensuing week and owing to demand, for Three Evenings longer. The Wednesday performance being for the Benefit of Mr. Gyngell senior and under the immediate Patronage of the Right Worshipful The Mayor.
Boxes 3s - Pit 2s - Gallery 1s.

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Mrs Nobbs, wife of Mr. D. Nobbs, late master of the Swan Inn, died Friday 17th November 1826.

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A Public Breakfast was held here at nine-thirty on the morning of Tuesday 15th September 1840 for members of the Church Missionary Society and their Families. Tickets 1s 9d each.

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Advertised for sale by Private Contract, or to be let to a suitable tenant, 12th May 1855.
Comprising a handsome dining room 63ft x 24ft and another 40ft x 26ft, 10 comfortable Sitting-rooms and 25 good and airy Bedrooms.
With the advantage of two approaches, one from the upper market and the other from Chapel Field and theatre Plain.
Freehold property with possession available to suit the current occupier, (who is also owner) retiring solely from advanced age.

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Freehold property offered for sale with immediate possession as advertised 3rd March 1858

Offered for sale by auction June 1858 upon instruction of the Executors of the late Mr. Samuel Asker.
Extensive premises known as the SWAN INN, comprising a frontage in Upper Market Street of 56 feet with a depth of 178 feet.

For Sale By Auction Thursday 29th July 1858.
Property included a 63ft by 24ft newly-erected Dining Room, a second Dining Room 40ft x 20ft, 10 sitting and 25 Bed-rooms, well-situated Bar, spacious Kitchens, Larder, Cellars and Offices. With Yard with standing for 40 Carriages, Carriage-houses and Stables and loose boxes for 50 Horses. A well-known fact that the house has for a long period, been the resort of by far largest proportion of the nobility, gentry and clergy of the county, on their visiting the city.

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Not found in directories 1868 or later, but said to operate until 1895?

Last used by Johnson, Burton & Theobald Ltd, wholesale motor, electrical, wireless and cycle manufacturers. Demolished in early 1960's to allow car parking.