Beccles ghost walk

Variable dates usually Saturday evenings, posted

The ever popular Beccles Ghost walks proceed from the Spring. Tickets and dates may be obtained from Saxon opposite the Swan House Restaurant in the town centre and are £4 for adults, £2 for children. The walk includes this scary…

Art in Suffolk: Beccles art exhibitions

Tuesday to Saturday each week

The Upstairs Galley in Exchange Square, Beccles has a continuous exhibition of both local and notable artist at commission free rates. Swan House, one of the best Restaurants in Suffolk, is a one minute walk from the Gallery. The Restaurant…

Suffolk Museums: The Beccles Museum

Enjoy an historic visit to Beccles Museum and discover all about the history of Beccles. And afterwards why not visit one of the finest Restaurants on the Norfolk Broads just a couple of minutes walk from the Museum.

Beccles Museum,…

Beccles historical walk

Various dates

During the lighter evenings, the informative and fascinating ‘Beccles history walk’ will proceed from the ‘Old Market Square’, just one minute from Swan House Restaurant, on the following Saturdays: Generally the events take place between April and August. The ‘walk’…

The Swan House film club, Beccles

Each day we show a regularly repeating film in the bar at the Swan House, Beccles. Occasionally we show modern films, but more often we delve into the back catalogue of period and world film and pick out a long lost…

Exhibition by Julie Carpenter at the Swan House, Beccles

Wednesday 2nd May to Tuesday 5th June 2012

Long Exposure Circus by Julie Carpenter

Julie says of her work: “One of my favourite things is to go to see the circus, so I decided to document my trips as photographs.I have collected these pictures over the last five…

A Pudding and Pie evening at the Swan House Beccles

Wednesday 23rd May 2012

This evening we are offering a special traditional English Pudding and Pie Evening: A  choice from three short crust buttery pies: Slow braised minted English lamb pie served with rosemary and garlic roasted potatoes and vegetables; or Slow cooked Dingley…

Music by Xenia Horne at the Swan House

Monday 28th May 2012

Accomplished concert harpist and singer Xenia Horne performs an eclectic mix of classical, traditional and Celtic material with guest performer at the Swan House this evening.

Soon it will be possible to dine, be entertained by our musicians, as…

Swan House ‘Al Fresco’ Jubilee party, Beccles

Sunday 3rd June 2012, at 8pm

A wonderful evening of food, music and dance will be on show for this summer’s Swan House Jubilee party. A special three course dinner will be accompanied by Dave Sheppard’s band ‘One Hand Clapping’ performing throughout the evening.

Suffolk open studios at the Swan House, Beccles

Wednesday 6th June until Tuesday 3rd July 2012

An exhibition of representative work from a group of artists who are exhibiting at “The Old Dairy Studios ‘ in Hungate Lane. Beccles as part of Suffolk Open Studios. Five of the artists have studios in Beccles and others live…

Music by ‘Pearl in the Egg’ at the Swan House, Beccles

Monday 11th June 2012

Pearl in the Egg’, play songs and instrumentals from the era of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry the Eigth on authentic instruments from the period including harp and recorder, psaltery and rebec. ‘Pearl’ have performed in costume at Hampton Court…

Ladies that Lunch: Lady Jill Freud chats about Southwold Summer Theatre

Wednesday 13th June at 1pm

Lady Jill Freud will be giving a light hearted presentation on her life in general and the amazing success in setting up the now much loved and cherished Southwold Summer Theatre some 28 years ago and subsequently the Aldeburgh…

Music by John Dunn and guest at the Swan House, Beccles

Monday 18th June 2012

John Dunn and guest perform duets with country flavoured light rock backed by John’s 12 string guitar playing. John will play from 8pm.

From June 18th 2012, Swan House in Beccles will also become one of just a very few…

Music by Penny and Stuart Mack at Swan House, Beccles

Monday 25th June 2012

Penny and Stuart Mack play and sing traditional and contemporary folk as well as their own compositions, with guitar, bodhran and whistles. Soon you will be able to sleep over as we are soon to become a Boutique hotel or…

Music by Stuart Morrison at the Swan House, Beccles

Monday 2nd July 2012

Stuart Morrison, founder member of ‘Scratch the Cat’ and powerful R&B performer, plays a solo set this evening.

Soon it will be possible to dine, be entertained by our musicians, as well as stay over, as Swan House is soon…

Art exhibition by Ian McKenzie, Swan House, Beccles

Wednesday 4th July 2012

“URBAN LANDSCAPE”
“The artist in me is often drawn back to cities, especially at night when the streets, shop lights and reflections are always an inspiration.
With camera and sketchbook I just wander around the people in bars…

Music by Dave Sheppard and friends at the Swan House, Beccles

Monday 9th July 2012

Folk meets rock when Dave Sheppard’s band ‘One hand clapping’ perform a close harmony mix of traditional and new material with mandolin, guitar and accordion.

“The Swan House will always be a special place for me, as when I first…

Music by Keith Krykant at the Swan House

Monday 16th July 2012

Keith Krykant plays jazz on guitar, sprinkled with an assortment of his own interpretations of more obscure yet vibrant material, as well as his own compositions.

Swan House is soon to become a unique Guest House in Suffolk!

Dudley ‘Mr Southwold’ Clarke reveals all at ‘Ladies that Lunch’

Wednesday 18th July 2012 at 1pm

We are most pleased to announce that one of Suffolk’s most colourful characters will entertain guests at a ‘Ladies that Lunch’ event at the Swan House Restaurant in Beccles on Wednesday 18th July.

‘Mr Southwold’, Dudley Clarke, will reveal…

Music by Trevor James at the Swan House, Beccles

Monday 23rd July 2012

‘Trevor James is a multi-instrumentalist who plays historical and traditional music from across the centuries. Enjoy Medieval melodies, Tudor tunes, Georgian jigs and hear delightful Celtic hornpipes, ayres and reels played on a variety of instruments including High and Low…

Music by ‘Drop the Bow’ at Swan House, Beccles

Monday 30th July 2012 at 8pm

‘Drop the Bow’ comprises Amanda Jane, fiddling her way through jigs hornpipes & reels, multi-award winning vocalist Dawn Diamonds & Paul Rust on guitar. Dawn and Paul have toured together throughout the UK, Germany, South Africa, Australia and Ireland. The band will be

…

Art exhibition by Doreen Abel, Swan House, Beccles

Wednesday 1st August 2012

“SHORE THINGS” Doreen Abel local artist, tutor and gallery owner, will take you on a virtual walk along the seashore, through lagoons,seashells,pebbles,seaweed and all things marine. A recent collectionof paintings in oils and acrylics. The artist will be at Swan…

Music by Andrew Osborn at the Swan House, Beccles

Monday 6th Augustl 2012

Andrew plays an enormously diverse repertoire; waltzes, mazurkas and polkas from Paris and Barcelona; sambas from Rio, sets of variations and fantasias from the courts of Charles V and Philip II; tangos from the brothels of Buenos Aires! He also…

Music by Penny and Stuart Mack at Swan House, Beccles

Monday 20th August 2012, at 8pm

Penny and Stuart Mack play and sing traditional and contemporary folk as well as their own compositions, with guitar, bodhran and whistles. Soon you will be able to sleep over as we are soon to become a Boutique hotel or…

Tales from Italy: Italian drivers

We’re spending a few languid weeks away from Suffolk and Swan House in Carmela’s home in Southern Italy. Situated 30 miles due north of Naples in the foot hills of the Matese Mountains, it’s a region that’s poor by our…

Tales from Italy: I was a fugitive from a chain gang

It’s Wednesday early evening and I’ve just planted a couple of lemon trees in the hard baked ground outside Carmela’s house in Southern Italy. Using a pick axe and spade, I feel I now know what it’s like to be…

Tales from Italy: Courgette flowers for lunch

Although Beccles and thoughts of the restaurant in Suffolk should be a thousand miles away from this sun-baked Italian landscape, I’m always on the look out for new ideas to bring back to the Swan House. For lunch today, Carmela’s…

Tales from the front: Funeral

My Swan House staff so successfully organised a funeral wake whilst I was in Italy recently, that the daughter came back last night to personally thank and congratulate me. She was so completely bowled over in her praise of how…

Tales from the front: Esme’s excellent evening

There are two sides to every restaurant and since working at The Swan House in Beccles, I’m honestly not sure which I prefer. But either way it’s great fun, whether having…

Tales from Italy: Joy in Gioia

Just found this pic on my iPhone that I had forgotten about. Gioia in Southern Italy, pronounced ‘joya’, put on this excellent almost Bruegelesque ‘festa’ of music and dance in mid August. Oh for a little of their heat…

Tales from the kitchen: Down and out in Beccles

Perhaps the all time classic ‘behind the scenes’ tale of kitchen life was told in George Orwell’s recollections of 1930’s Paris: ‘Down and out in Paris and London’. In one unforgettable scene he describes how a head chef, enraged over…

Tales from the kitchen: the Swiss maid

Mondays are usually our chef’s day for new menu ideas and inventiveness at the Swan House Restaurant. Recently we were looking for some classic European light lunch ideas for our ‘bar menu’. I considered some Alpine dishes

Our new website

Thursday 16th December 2010

Somewhere early stone-age man almost certainly won a design award for inventing a square wheel. And while 11 years ago we were the first restaurant in the area to have a web presence, our old site more recently appeared almost…

Mr ‘Wikileaks’ comes to Town

Whilst Julian ‘Mr Wikileaks’ Assange is holed up in Beccles, the world’s press eagerly awaits our response. In a world TV exclusive, our local Beccles market fishmonger was asked how Mr Assange’s presence, may impact on the neighbourhood: “Well if…

Tales of spooky love

Before opening the Swan House doors to our Beccles diners this morning, I went for a quick browse around the town’s shops. Amongst the last minute Christmas shoppers and visitors to Beccles, I heard the very unseasonal “You’ve lost that…

Tales from Tuscany: Late sun in Sienna

By Roland Blunk

Here’s a pic that reminds me of our excellent late summer visit to Sienna last year. Although the city is a wonderful experience and a place I have long wanted to visit, some of the less heralded nearby Tuscan towns,…

Skydiving in Suffolk

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Tales from Switzerland: chilled out in Zum See

January 22, 2011

This has been my 59th ski trip to date, some of which have been pure holiday, most of which I’ve worked as a ski guide, occasionally attended training courses and other times coached.

Go Karting in Beccles, Suffolk

Ellough Park Raceway is a purpose built 1050 metre outdoor floodlit kart circuit, catering for sports, corporate, special occasion and hire karts. Drivers aged from 8 years and above can enjoy this British National Championship hosting race circuit with its…

Sailing on the Norfolk Broads at Beccles

Beccles Amateur Sailing Club is a friendly club that welcomes all those with an interest in sailing. The Club is located on the river Waveney in north Suffolk, at the beginning of the Norfolk Broads, approximately half a mile downstream…

Social networking

Has anyone stopped tapping on a keyboard, to consider that so called ‘social networking’…

Magical tales from Austria

I had a surreal and truly magical experience today, as I was uplifted to the piste in a cable…

Somerleyton Hall and Gardens

Enjoy the garden trail through twelve acres of ancient trees, lawned gardens and Paxton greenhouses. Lose yourself in our famous 1846 yew maze. Tour the early Victorian stately home itself, then perhaps consider a visit to the Swan House Restaurant…

Norwich Arts Centre, Norfolk

Norwich Arts Centre is a small, independently run venue with charitable status (Charity No: 274803) situated close to the centre of Norwich. Their  aim is to offer a broad range of performing and media arts of the highest quality to the…

A happy return to Swan House

I was told this evening that Swan House is one of the few restaurants in Suffolk that…

River fishing in Beccles, Suffolk

Beccles has always been a very popular ‘fishing enthusiast’ destination with it’s wonderful vistas. Many people enjoy river fishing in Beccles, either fishing on the River Waveney banks, in the quay or by fishing boat trips on the Norfolk Broads…

Swimming on the Norfolk Broads: The Beccles Lido

We did it…but only with your help! A huge thank you to all our supporters, volunteers and customers. We will re-open in May 2011 for a full season, but watch this space for special events! We will be running both…

Bowls in Suffolk: Beccles indoor Bowls Club

The club has a good mix of social and competitive bowlers. We regularly have competitors at National Finals in all levels of bowling. It’s a friendly four rink Club, open all year round and run by the Members with the…

Golf in Suffolk: The Beccles Golf Club

Beccles Golf Club is set on the heath to the north of the important Suffork market town of Beccles, seen by many as the Suffolk Gateway to The Broads. The Golf Club has been in existance since 1899 and is…

Yatching on the Norfolk Broads: Beccles Yacht Station

Though not a Club the Beccles Yacht Station provides a really important service for ‘boaties’. Set in attractive tree lined surroundings close to the town’s amenities. Facilities at the yacht station include showers, baths, disabled toilet, and laundry facilities, and…

Conservation in Suffolk: The Beccles Society

Not a club, but a civic society with concerns for local planning issues, architecture, conservation and the environment. The society aims to stimulate interest in the town of Beccles and surrounding area. The Society meets regularly at the Beccles Museum close…

Concerts in Suffolk: The Beccles Choral Society

The Beccles Choral Society aims to advance, improve, develop and maintain public education in choral music, particularly by the study and performance of choral works. The members work together under the direction of highly respected and experienced Philip Simms, and…

Musicals in Suffolk: Spotlight Musical Theatre Group

Spotlight Musical Theatre Group
The group aims to perform quality modern musicals twice a year at Beccles Public Hall.

Email: spotlightbecclesbm@hotmail.co.uk
Website: www.spotlightbeccles.org

Theatre in Suffolk: Beccles Theatre Players

Beccles Theatre Players are an amateur theatre group performing plays and sketches. Performances are generally within a one minute walk from Swan House in the centre of Beccles where you could enjoy a post performance drink or meal.

Email: info@becclestheatreplayers.co.uk read more…

Dance in Suffolk: June Glennie School of Dance, Beccles

The June Glennie School of Dance was founded by Mrs June Glennie in 1944 in coventry. When moving to Suffolk she passed the school on to June Pughe (Allesley School of Dance). In 1970 with moving to Suffolk Mrs Glennie…

Opera in Suffolk: Waveney Light Opera Group, Beccles

Waveney Light Opera Group is a Beccles-based amateur musical theatre society committed to encouraging local talent in musical and dramatic art. It is one of the premier entertainment societies in the area presenting musical shows that are known for their…

Sports in Suffolk: Beccles Sports Centre

The Beccles Sports Centre offers a wide range of activities with Badminton Courts, Squash Court and a Gym. The Centre is just a few minutes from the Swan House Restaurant in Beccles suffolk where you can enjoy a casual lunch…

Flying in Suffolk: Rain Air at Beccles

A friendly and professional aviation centre based at Beccles Airfield in the heart of East Anglia a short distance from Norwich, Lowestoft and the Norfolk Broads, as well as just a few minutes from the Swan House Restaurant in Beccles.…

Art in Suffolk: Beccles Society of Artists

Monthly meetings with criticisms, lectures and demonstrations. Annual exhibitions of members’ work. Objectives: the furtherance of art in the Beccles area. The meeting house is almost opposite the Swan House Restaurant in Beccles

Beccles Society of Artists, The Waveney Centre,…

Beccles Rowing Club

Beccles Rowing Club, situated about a 10 minute walk from Swan House Restaurant, is dedicated to maintaining its friendly and welcoming atmosphere that makes it so popular with its existing members. The club run club sessions every Sunday morning at 9am.…

Assaulting the ‘Hahnenkamm’ with ‘Kaspressknodelsuppe’!

Introducing new dishes should be the truly creative edge of restaurant cooking for any…

Theatre Royal, Norwich

The Theatre Royal in Norwich is a major venue featuring Dance, Music, Musicals, Opera, Personalities, Plays, Stand-up Comedy and Studio.

The Theatre is about 30 minutes from the Swan House Restaurant in Suffolk, by the Broads in Beccles, so if…

A wonderful meal?

“The starter trio was like a party in my mouth. The duck and cod wonderfully cooked…

Durrants Beccles Auction

Durrants began conducting auction sales in 1853 and since that time have continued to undertake sales and valuations throughout Norfolk and Suffolk. From their Auction Rooms in Beccles, a five minute walk from the Swan House restaurant in Beccles, they…

Tales of War Horses in London

27th May 2011,

The problem of how to celebrate my step daughter’s birthday is always a tricky one. Do I give her yet more clothes and risk bursting her wardrobe; treat her to dinner somewhere other than the Swan House Restaurant…

I’m exhibiting at the Tate Modern!

11th June 2011,

…few days away from the Restaurant in Beccles, completed with my first Tate exhibition!

Beccles Golf Club

Beccles Golf Club is set on the heath to the north of the important Suffork market town of Beccles, seen by many as the Suffolk Gateway to The Broads.

The Golf Club has been in existance since 1899 and is…

Beccles Camera Club

Meets at Friends Meeting House, Smallgate Beccles, just a minute’s walk from the Swan House Restaurant, on alternate Thursdays at 7.30pm. A friendly and informal club that aims to enjoy and improve photographic work. If you are looking for a restaurant…

Beccles Cricket Club

The Club runs three Saturday senior sides, a Sunday XI, as well as a large junior section which caters for children (both boys and girls) from 5-16 years old. The Club House is about a ten minute walk…

Beccles Town Football Club

Plays at College Meadow, Common Lane Beccles, about a 15 minute walk from the centre of Beccles and Swan House

Contact: J. Humby
Telephone: 01502 713776
Website: www.becclestownfc.co.uk

Beccles Rugby Club

Beccles Rugby Club training nights are Sundays 10-12 (minis 6-12) (juniors 12-17) Wednesday 7-9 (seniors +17) Matches are on Saturdays 2 or 3 pm Kick off Minis & juniors Sunday 11 am Kick off. Home ground is at…

The Swan House ‘One minute self-portrait’ Children’s Hospices appeal

Swan House Beccles, is launching a fund raising appeal, in aid of Children’s Hospices…

A magically naughty moment at the market

All of a sudden in one magically naughty moment, the son lifted the tail of the dress…

The Marina Theatre, Lowestoft

“I urge all music lovers in Lowestoft and the surrounding area to join in and support the wonderful, World class series of concerts given by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the Marina Theatre. I played at the very first of…

The Seagull Theatre, Lowestoft, Suffolk

The Seagull is a small theatre in Lowestoft, Suffolk which plays host to a regular stream of local talent, regional and national touring theatre companies. The theatre runs it’s own in-house production company known as The Seagull Rep. Productions rotate…

Redwings Caldecott Visitor Centre, near Great Yarmouth

Visit rescued horses, ponies, donkeys and mules at Redwings Horse Sanctuary. The centre has over 70 acres of paddocks, a gift shop and information centre and makes a wonderful family day out. If you are looking for an alternative to

…

Cinema City, Norwich

Situated in the heart of historic Norwich just 20 miles from the centre of Beccles and the excellent Swan House Restaurant, by the Norfolk Broads, Cinema City is both a state of the art cinema and a stylish bar and…

Recent Swan House customer comments

11th February 2012

“An excellent meal and impeccable service. Perfect for a family celebration”
Hugh Jones, Beccles, 4th March 2012

“We have eaten in many places not only in this country but in many other country’s and this is as good as…

The Assembly House, Norwich

The Assembly House, Norwich is one of the city’s most prestigious addresses, with a past that includes visits from Liszt & Paganini, Madame Tussuad and the dancing Noverre family.

Around 20 miles from the Swan House Restaurant on the Norfolk…

The Waterfront Norwich

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The Cut Arts Centre, Halesworth

The Cut offers Halesworth and the surrounding countryside arts, music, theatre, dance, comedy, cinema, workshops, Art Exhibitions and more if that’s possible. It has a cafeteria and licensed bar, and food is now available an hour before most evening events.…

The Lowestoft Arts Centre

The Lowestoft Arts Centre provides an art and craft gallery plus studios for teaching and small meetings. The gallery shows a continually changing selection of quality art and craft work by local artists. Included are paintings,drawings, ceramics, sculpture, textiles, cards, prints, jewellery,…

The Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, Norwich

The Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts is a major collector of modern art.

World Art Forum is designed to explore major questions in world art. It links all the Sainsbury Centre’s teaching and research organisations and bridges the…

The Buckenham Galleries, Southwold

One of East Anglia’s leading contemporary art galleries, Buckenham Galleries offers a wide variety of paintings, ceramics, jewellery, glass work, sculptures and bespoke furniture. Situated on the High Street the gallery is housed in one of the oldest buildings in…

Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth Regional Astronomers, Lowestoft

Lyra is Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth Regional Astronomers based in Lowestoft Suffolk U.K and has frequent Monthly meetings at the Sunrise Inn on Corton Road in North Lowestoft. Lyra also has a purpose built observatory containing a 10 inch…

Craftco Gallery, Southwold

The Great Eastern Craft Co-operative, or CRAFTCO for short, began in 1987 when ten local craftspeople formed a co-operative and opened a shop and gallery in Southwold Market Place. Five years later they bought a house in the High Street,…

Gorleston Pavilion Theatre

We are proud to be open all year round staging Plays, Pantomimes, Musicals, Concerts as well as our popular 26 week Summer Season. There are plenty of Hotels in Gorleston. Alternatively the Swan House is one of a few hotels in…

The Madder Market Theatre, Norwich

Since 1921, the Maddermarket Theatre has produced hundreds of plays and musicals to the highest standards, entertaining and delighting the people of Norwich and Norfolk. There are many Hotels in Norwich, however if you are considering a nearby alternative, the Swan…

Fritton Lake

Fritton Lake boasts indoor and outdoor adventure playgrounds, a nine-hole pitch and putt golf course, rowing, fishing, scenic walks, pony rides and most of all acres of unspoilt countryside to relax and unwind in. Fritton Lake is within a few minutes…

Framlingham Castle

Framlingham Castle is a magnificent 12th century fortress with a long and colourful past which makes a fascinating family day out in Suffolk. The castle was once the refuge of Mary Tudor before she became Queen in 1553 and visitors can…

Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery

One of the City’s most famous landmarks, Norwich Castle was built by the Normans as a Royal Palace 900 years ago. Now a museum and art gallery, it is home to some of the most outstanding collections of fine art,…

The Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival

The Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival is one of the most eagerly anticipated events in the town’s calendar. This year’s vibrant Maritime Festival is set to take place at the end of the summer, delighting visitors for a whole weekend by bringing together our…

Tales from chilly Prague

…with the upstairs resembling more a building site, than the Suffolk boutique hotel…

Our new Swan House ‘Delicious Desserts’ iPad App

If you are concerned about your health, click away now! For those still with us, we are both pleased and proud to share our best and most coveted ‘Delicious Desserts’ recipes on our new iTunes App. We have spent months…

Now you can follow our music

It’s a little known fact that everyone thinks they have great musical taste. It’s perhaps a better known that few have. As we are frequently asked what music is playing, I thought we should take a chance and make our selections…

Our new boutique Inn at Beccles Suffolk

Our long planned metamorphosis into a posh B&B or boutique hotel in Beccles suffolk…

Latitude Summer Music Festival

A spectacular festival for the performing arts featuring incredible talent in music, theatre, comedy, literature, poetry and cabaret.

The Swan House Inn, just ten minutes from Henham park, in the opposite direction of Southwold, offers B&B accommodation near Henham…