The Swan was an inn in the 13th century. It is recorded in the reign of Edward II (1217-1307) although possibly not in the same building. In 1579 an outbreak of disease caused the premature death of scores of Tewkesbury residents. The first and last recorded outbreak of the pestilence was at the Swan.
The Swan Hotel was once the biggest coaching house in Tewkesbury and was also used as a relay house for the Royal Mail until the railway was opened in 1864. The stagecoaches drove under an elegant window into the courtyard.
The Swan was put up for sale in 1872 with an asking price of £3,200. When it was put on the market in Edwardian times (1906) the value of the Swan was just £1,600. There is no explanation for this apparent discrepancy.
The Swan Hotel closed in the late 1980’s. The building is now in use as Marks and Spencers ‘Simply Food’ and Superdrug. The two shops have different roof profiles. These indicate the two separate properties that were amalgamated into the Swan some time between 1783 and 1785. (see the White Herte).
Map Reference: SO 893328
This page will be updated with additional information.
Licensing Details:
Owner in 1891: Harriett James (free from brewery tie)
Rateable value in 1891: £96.0s.0d.
Type of licence in 1891: Alehouse
Owner in 1903: Exors of James M. James (free from brewery tie)
Rateable value in 1903: £160.0s.0d.
Type of licence in 1903: Alehouse
Closing time in 1903: 11pm
Landlords at the Swan Hotel include:
1774-1781 William Martin
1781-1783 Mary Martin (widow)
1783-1786 Benjamin Jacobs (deceased 1785)
1786-1795 Mary Jacobs (widow)
1795-1814 John Ridler
1814-1816 John Griffiths
1816,1830 Robert Holland
1838 Josiah Castree
1854-1865 William Trotman
1865,1868 Elizabeth Ann Trotman (widow)
1876 Mrs M.A. Watts
1879 Eliza Briscoe
1891 Eliza Cicely Pike
1903,1906 Penstone Aaron Pike
1910 Eliza Cicely Pike
1910 George Albery Hawkins
1919 William Robert Hopkins
1925-1935 Henry Kane O’Kelly (1927 Trust Houses Ltd.)
1935-1940 John Fleming
1940 George Burn
