top of page
A location to please all tastes
Whether you want laid-back relaxation , gentle or challenging activity, fancy just sight-seeing and exploring or are looking to combine business with pleasure, The Swan Hotel is perfectly positioned to satisfy most people. Below are just some of the things to see and visit, to do and enjoy and even some local places to eat and drink that we think you might appreciate...and down the bottom of the page you can see our exact location.
Things to see and do
SOME OF THE THINGS TO VISIT, SEE AND DO
HARLESTON MUSEUM
The Museum displays artifacts relating to the life and times of the people of Harleston and the immediate surrounding parishes from pre-historic times to the present day. Items on display illustrate; personal and domestic life, working life, costume, recreation, entertainment and the built environment of the town. Run by the Harleston and District Historical Society, this compact museum is staffed by local volunteers.
HOLKHAM HALL
With a stunning location on the north Norfolk coast and at the heart of a thriving 25,000 acre estate, Holkham Hall is described as an exceptional place, rich in history, architecture and wildlife. The seat of the Earls of Leicester, this elegant 18th century mansion is still very much a lived-in family home which the family take pride in sharing with visitors.
TIME & TIDE
Time & Tide in Great Yarmouth is set in one of the UK's best preserved Victorian Herring curing works, and tells the story of Great Yarmouth from its ice age origins to the present day.
Experience the heady atmosphere of a 1950's fish wharf and take the wheel of a steam drifter. Hear gripping tales of wreck and rescue and meet some of the colourful characters who made their living from the sea.
Explore the original smokehouses where the lingering aroma of smoked fish is a reminder of times gone by. Enjoy fascinating archive film shows and hands on displays and relax in the attractive courtyard beneath a canopy of sails.
HARLESTON LEISURE CENTRE
Harleston has it own Leisure Facility’s that are run by the Town Council. There is a gym, tennis courts and squash courts and the Family Inclusive Sports Area.
WAVENEY VALLEY
Running along the border between Norfolk and Suffolk, the Waveney Valley is an unspoilt haven of wildlife, idyllic villages and unique market towns. Escape the frantic pace of everyday life, and head straight to your perfect holiday destination that’s just waiting to be discovered. With tranquil surroundings and warm hospitality, you can’t help but fall in love with the Waveney Valley’s timeless beauty.
STRANGER'S HALL
Strangers Hall is a marvellous Tudor merchant's house, used as a museum of local history since the 1930s. The house boasts richly furnished 16th and 17th-century interiors, with beautifully carved wood panelling, period furniture, and exhibits that show how life was lived here over the centuries. Behind the house is a small knot garden, laid out in the 17th century.
AUDIO WALK
The walk takes you around the town centre where there are about a hundred shops, the vast majority being independent traders which combined with free parking, makes Harleston so busy.
​
There are close to two hundred very old buildings and it is often said that if stripped of their later facades, Harleston would resemble Lavenham. The centre of Harleston was once a vast open market and the stalls in the middle gradually became permanent shops and houses, creating the shape of a box-iron, known now as ‘the heater.’ The audio tour explores the history of the town and features some wonderful characters who all love Harleston with a passion, including Sid Taylor who has planted over three thousand trees in the town.
CROSS-NORFOLK TRAIL
With the opening of the 12 mile Wensum Way between Gressenhall and Lenwade in mid Norfolk, a new long distance trail has been created that provides a continuous east - west path across Norfolk between King’s Lynn and Great Yarmouth.
The new route provides the central portion of a cross-county route that begins with the Nar Valley Way in King’s Lynn on the Wash, continues with the Wensum Way and Marriott’s Way to Norwich where it picks up the Wensum River Parkway through the city and from here follows the Wherryman’s Way to Great Yarmouth on the North Sea coast.
CYCLING AT THE WAVENEY VALLEY
Check out one of the cycle routes which run through the Waveney Valley passing through beautiful scenery, lovely villages with friendly pubs. Sustrans Regional Route 30 runs along the river right to the coast, passing the beautiful towns of Diss, Bungay and Beccles. There are also an abundance of short circular routes, providing you with all the guidance you need to plan your day out exploring the Waveney Valley. And if you don’t want to bring your own bike, there are a number of hire shops ready to help you.
AVIATION MUSEUM
The Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum is near Flixton, in East Anglia. The museum houses a varied array of over 60 complete or partial aircraft.
The museum's aircraft include the only complete de Havilland Sea Vixen FAW.1 in private ownership, a flyable replica of the Colditz Cock escape glider, and an FMA IA 58 Pucara that was captured by British forces during the Falklands War.
THE BROADS NATIONAL PARK​
Norfolk is possibly most famous for the man-made Broads, a National Park with over 125 miles of navigable lock-free waterways set in beautiful countryside and studded with charming and picturesque towns and villages.
​
A holiday on the Norfolk Broads is characterised by peace and serenity. For centuries, its rich network of rivers and lakes has formed a suitably beautiful backdrop for unforgettable getaways.
​
With over 125 miles of stunning waterways and vast, diverse wildlife to discover, a boating holiday is something all of the family will enjoy. You’ll wake up to the calm of the Broads and have the freedom to explore its various charms at your own pace.
CROMER PIER & PAVILION THEATRE
The famous Pavilion Theatre is one of only five UK end of pier theatres home to the award winning Cromer Pier Show, the only full season end of pier show in the world and over fifty of the finest touring shows in the UK during our Spring and Autumn concert season. Take that 151metre walk along the pier to the theatre and take a seat in one of our 500 traditional theatre seats and embark on a magical variety experience with a blend of traditional and contemporary variety blended perfectly to bring you a completely unique theatre experience. Expect all the glitz and glamour worthy of the only full season end of pier show in the world, the finest production values, rib-tickling comedy, show-stopping vocals, mind-blowing speciality acts and an eclectic blend of dance from street dance, to ballet.
SOME OF THE PLACES TO EAT AND DRINK WE THINK YOU MIGHT ENJOY
Eat and Drink
TUDOR BAKEHOUSE
The Tudor Bakehouse are traditional family bakers with bakeries in Diss, Eye and Harleston who just love to use the best local ingredients to bake fresh products each day. Whether they are creating seasonal cakes, making freshly filled sandwiches or baking our famous sausage rolls, it is all made for you locally at their bakeries.
HUNGRY CAT VEGAN CAFE
What a treat awaits in Harleston, especially for vegetarian diners. The cafe is friendly, and has a nice atmosphere. It's good value for money with quality products.
TASTE OF RAJ
Indian Restaurant that offers a menu varied with some excellent specials; the food is of good quality and the portions are quite generous.
JD YOUNG HOTEL AND RESTAURANT
The cosy restaurant has a real fire and offers freshly prepared meals made using locally sourced seasonal produce whenever possible. The menus changes seasonally to reflect the finest ingredients available locally and there is also an extensive and imaginative bar menu that changes daily. The traditional bar offers a range of authentic local ales, premium lagers and a fine selection of wines by the glass or bottle.
OUR LOCATION
Our Location
The Swan Hotel is located at 19 The Thoroughfare, Harleston IP20 9AN.
Set in the stunning town of Harleston, along the Suffolk and Norfolk border, The Swan Hotel is one of the principle hotels in Harleston with excellent links to Ipswich, Lowestoft, Great Yarmouth, Norwich and East Anglia.
If travel by car from London
​
Take A3211 to E Smithfield/A1203 14 min (2.8 mi) Take M11, A11, A14 and A143 to High Rd in Norfolk 2 hr 6 min (107 mi) Take Needham Rd and London Rd to The Thoroughfare in Harleston.
​
If Travel by train from London
​
Go to Liverpool Street Station and take Greateranglia (Norwich) on Platform 9. Get off at Diss then walk to Station Road, where you will ride Bus 581 (Harleston). Get off at Broad Street, from there it's a 2-3 minute walk to the Swan Hotel.
bottom of page