Swaffham

The town grew to prominence during mediaeval times based on local agriculture. Historically a town whose prosperity came from sheep and wool and thus the town has an unusually large market place (for the population). Whilst many of the buildings have Georgian and Victorian facades on older mediaeval buildings.

By road

Swaffham is located just south where the west-east (Kings Lynn (15 miles) to Norwich (30 miles)) A47 and the south-north A1065 (London, Cambridge and Newmarket to Fakenham and North Norfolk) roads cross. These two busy routes provide Swaffham with a large volume of passing trade and travellers, especially at weekends and during the summer months.

By bus

Swaffham's most frequent and important bus connection is the Excell X1 regional bus. Services call every half hour (Monday to Saturday) or hourly (Sundays) in both directions:

• X1 westbound towards Kings Lynn, Wisbeach, Peterborough bus station, Peterborough railway station and most villages en route.
• X1 eastbound towards Dereham, Norwich, Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft and most villages en route.

Passengers travelling by train to or from Peterborough can buy a through rail ticket to/from Swaffham on the X1 bus, thereby saving on the combined cost of train and bus tickets.
Swaffham has daily National Express service on two routes:

• NX308 westbound towards Kings Lynn, Wisbeach, Peterborough, Leicester, Coventry and Birmingham.
• NX308 eastbound towards Dereham, Norwich and Great Yarmouth.

and

• NX496 southbound towards Mundford, Brandon, Mildenhall, Stratford (London) and London.
• NX496 northbound towards Dereham, Fakenham, Holt, Sherringham and Cromer.

Details of additional rural bus routes between Swaffham and neighbouring towns and villages can be found on the website of Traveline East Anglia or by calling the National Traveline service on 0870-608-2-608.

By train

There are stations on different lines, approximately equidistant to Swaffham.

• Downham Market is 25 km (15 miles) west, for services north to Kings Lynn and south Ely, Cambridge and London King's Cross.
• Brandon 25 km (15 miles) south, for services east to Thetford, Attleborough, Wymondham and Norwich and west to Ely and Cambridge. Cross country trains from the northwest and midlands do not stop at Brandon, but they do stop at Thetford, which is just a few miles further away from Swaffham than Brandon.

By bicycle & on foot

• Peddars WayLong-distance footpath (46 miles) passes close by the town. Much of the path can be used by cyclists. The path runs from Hunstanton on the North Norfolk Coast to close to Thetford

Swaffham is small enough to be easily explored on foot. There are a number of public transport options within the town itself (excluding train services).

• Swaffham Museum

  phone: +44 1760 721230
  address: 4 London St, Swaffham, PE37 7DQ

• Ecotech Centre

  phone: +44 1760 726100
  address: The Green Britain Centre, Turbine Way, Swaffham, PE37 7HT
  Windmill tours at 11:00, 13:00 & 15:00

• Castle Acre Priory

  phone: +44 1760 755394
  address: Priory Rd, Castle Acre, King's Lynn, PE32 2XD

• Castle Acre Castle and Bailey Gate

  address: Pye’s Lane, Castle Acre, King’s Lynn, PE32 2XB

• Oxburgh Hall

  phone: +44 1366 328258
  address: Oxborough, PE33 9PS

• Swaffham Golf Club

  phone: +44 1760 721 621
  address: Cley Rd, Swaffham,PE37 8AE

• Manor Farm Riding School

  phone: +44 1362 693344
  address: Manor Farm, Manor Rd, Scarning, East Dereham, NR19 2LL

• Swaffham Leisure Centre

  phone: +44 1760 724046
  address: Brandon Rd, Swaffham, PE37 7DY
  Gym, sports hall, spin studio, squash court.

Markets

• Saturday Market

  phone: +44 1760 722922
  address: Market Place, Swaffham, PE37 7AB
  The market square is occupied by stalls, and the town is usually bustling with people from surrounding towns and villages. Fresh meat, fish, fruit and vegetables are widely available, as well as more specialised local produce.

• Indoor Friday Market

  phone: +44 7957 862239 (mobile)
  address: Assembly Rooms, Market Place, Swaffham, PE37 7AB
  Around 20 stalls.

Supermarkets

• Waitrose

  phone: +44 1760 336307
  address: Castle Acre Rd, Swaffham, PE37 7HT
  Petrol station (different hours), ATMs, cafe, payphone.

• Adsa

  phone: +44 1760 774500
  address: Lynn St, Swaffham, PE37 7AU
  ATMs

• The Market Cross Cafe & Bar

  phone: +44 1760 336671
  address: 15 Market Pl, Swaffham, PE37 7AB
  Highly rated, providing customers with hot and cold food and drink throughout the day.

• The East Garden

  phone: +44 1760 725722
  address: 7 London St, Swaffham, PE37 7DD

• Mother Hubbards

  phone: +44 1760 721933
  address: 91 Market Place, Swaffham, PE37 7AQ

• Red Lion

  phone: +44 1760 721022
  address: 87 Market Place Swaffham PE37 7AQ
  Meals are served from 12 noon to 8:00pm every day. Also cater for Vegetarian and Gluten Free please ask. 10 rooms avaliable with 6 ensuite and 4 family shared ensuite rooms.

• The Greyhound

  phone: +44 1760 725468
  address: 97 Market Pl Swaffham, PE37 7AQ

• The Kings Arms

  phone: +44 1760 723244
  address: 21 Market St, Swaffham, PE37 7LA

• Strattons Hotel

  phone: +44 1760 723845
  address: 4 Ash Close, Swaffham PE37 7NH
  Offers a dozen or so elaborately themed and luxurious double bedrooms and suites. Rates start at approximately £70 per night.

• Best Western

  phone: +44 844 387 6162 (premium)
  address: Station St, Swaffham, PE37 7LJ
  Free Wi-Fi. Pets allowed in rooms (£10 per night).

• The Vines

  phone: +44 1760 756303
  address: The Street, Great Cressingham, Norfolk, IP25 6NL
  Dogs allowed (charged for).

• Baileygate B&B

  phone: +44 1760 755673
  address: Marcon House, Bailey St, Castle Acre, Kings Lynn, PE32 2AG

• Post Office

  address: 49-51 Market Place, Swaffham, PE37 7LE

• Blakeney (Norfolk) with Blakeney Point Seal Colony and Norfolk Wildlife Trust Cley Marshes Nature Reserve
• Hunstanton
• Wells-next-the-Sea with its oysters and its seal-watching trips.
• King's Lynn
• Dereham
• Thetford
• Fakenham