The Black Swan Public House and Theatre - a Historic Tour

Discover the story of a public house that has stood on the site since 1730, once operating as a busy hotel welcoming worldly travellers while sitting at the heart of North Walsham’s cattle market and everyday town life. Explore how the old stable buildings evolved through the centuries, serving many purposes including storage rooms, a morgue and even a mechanics garage, before becoming today’s not-for-profit theatre venture, established in 2023.

This special Heritage Open Days event celebrates the everyday histories that shaped the town — the working lives, trade, hospitality and entertainment that made this site an essential part of community life for generations. Visitors will have a rare opportunity to step behind the scenes, hear stories from the past, and uncover the hidden history of one of North Walsham’s most intriguing town centre buildings.
The tour will be led by Joseph; landlord, director of New Stages, local historian and guide of the North Walsham Ghost Walks since 2013.

Tour highlights include:
• The history of the public house from 1730 onwards
• The building’s years as a bustling hotel
• Former uses of the stable buildings
• The transformation into today’s Black Swan Theatre
• Local stories, heritage and ghostly tales from the site

Join us for a unique journey through theatre, hospitality and the everyday history of North Walsham.

Timings

Thursday 17 September:

4pm

Saturday 19 September:

4pm

Location & directions

Black Swan Public House and Theatre, Black Swan Loke, North Walsham, Norfolk, NR28 9BX

Directions:

We're just a few yards from the Market Place.

Contact on day:

Box Office

Telephone number:

+441692500006

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking required

Booking conditions:

Prebook your place with us on our website: www.newstages.co.uk

Booking contact name:

Box Office

Booking telephone number:

+441692400006

Booking email:

[email protected]

Booking website:

https://www.newstages.co.uk/tours

Booking opens:

01 Jun 2026 12:00 AM

Booking closes:

20 Sep 2026 12:00 AM

Accessibility details

Some parts of the tour are not accessible for wheelchairs or those with mobility concerns (stairs and steps) but photos and information will be shared so everyone is up to date.

Additional information

Max number of people:

12

Estimated duration:

0 hour(s) 50 minute(s)

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