|
|
The Swan was built in about 1400 and comprises three houses dating from the same era. The oldest part dates back to the late 14th Century. It is not known when conversion to an Inn took place, but it was well established by 1667, when the then Landlord, John Girling, issued a ‘Trader’s Token’. The Girling family still live in Lavenham to this day.
In 1830, The Swan was a flourishing trade post and had stabling for fifty horses. At that time, the Inn consisted of no more than the gabled part at the corner where Water Street enters the High Street. At that time, it was known as The Capital Old-established Free Public and Posting House. The entrance, which is now used for deliveries, led to the stables and was built just high enough to take the baggage wagons. A coach known as the Lavenham Machine operated three days a week between London’s Gracechurch Street and Lavenham.
The Wool Hall, a former guild hall built in 1464, was used for trading cloth and was divided into three houses when the spinning industry went into decline. It was dismantled in 1911 and there were plans to re-erect it in Ascot, but its fate was saved by the Rev. Henry Taylor, who was determined to preserve Lavenham. The Wool Hall was re-erected in its original position and became a convalescent home for railway women. It was bought in 1963 and incorporated into The Swan.
The hub of the hotel is the historic Old Bar, once the haunt of RAF and 487th Bomb Group 8th AAF American servicemen who were stationed in Lavenham during WWII. Memorabilia remains in the form of cap badges and a collection of signatures which can be found on the wall next to The Boot Record. The latter records the names of servicemen who had successfully drunk 3 1/2 pints of ale from a boot shaped glass in the shortest time, the record being 40 seconds! The servicemen had painted a nude pin-up girl on the ceiling, but this was prudishly painted over after the war. The floor of The Old Bar is made of bricks brought to Lavenham after being used as ballast on the old wool ships. Above the bar is a set of bells, used by Lavenham’s renowned bells ringers, but sadly no longer in use.
This is a brief description of The Swan, but of course there is so much to tell and as the adage goes ‘If walls could talk’. If you would like to find out more detailed information, please contact Veronica Cowlin and her team at Lavenham Tourist Information Centre on 01787 248207.
|
To check whether we can offer the accommodation you need, on the dates you want, find out instantly by completing the quick-check box below.
To make a booking, get answers to any questions you have, or to give details so that we can keep you up to date with what’s new or special offers, simply click on one of the buttons now.
|
|
|
| |
|
|