The Horse & Groom Guest House

19/10/2026

🏡📜 **A LITTLE MORE OF THE HORSE & GROOM'S HISTORY…**

Did you know that The Horse & Groom wasn't always known by its current name? 👀

According to Steward & Patteson records, our building was formerly known as

THE BLACK BULL! 🐂

Back in September 1847, the property was included in a sale held on behalf of the trustees of the late John Morse Esq. And it was quite a substantial place, even back then!

The description listed:
🍺 2 parlours and a bar
🍳 2 kitchens
🛏️ 6 bedrooms
🍷 A cellar
🐴 A stable and hayloft
🧱 A paved yard

Fast forward to 3rd November 1969,when the public house closed its doors.

By 1985, the building had become a guest house, and by 2005, it was operating with a full licence as a public house and hotel.

And here we are today! ❤️

Since taking over in October 2025, we've been discovering more and more about this incredible building and the lives, businesses and stories that have passed through its doors.

Every old photograph, historical record and little discovery adds another piece to the puzzle, and we absolutely love sharing it with you!

Over the coming weeks, we'll be sharing more snippets of the history of The Horse & Groom, Swaffham. 📸🕰️

Who knows what else we'll uncover along the way!

💬 Have you got any old photographs, memories or stories about The Horse & Groom?

We'd absolutely love to hear from you. You might even help us discover another piece of its history!

19/10/2026

Licensees record from 1789 ❤️

19/10/2026

Photo from 1916

17/10/2026

🏡❤️ **THE HORSE & GROOM GUEST HOUSE, SWAFFHAM – IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK!** ❤️🏡

Well, what a day we've had! 😍

Today we've been taking a trip down memory lane, looking at photographs of this incredible old building dating all the way back to 1983, when Graham Eves first purchased the property.

It's been absolutely fascinating to see just how much The Horse & Groom has transformed over the years. From what it looked like back then to what stands here today, the changes are unbelievable!

We've also got some old photographs that have been hanging on our walls for years. Today we've managed to enhance them.

But what has really blown my mind is the history we've been uncovering!

📜 THE PITCHER FAMILY – NEARLY 100 YEARS OF HISTORY!

Records show that the Pitcher family were associated with The Horse & Groom for nearly 100 years, spanning several generations.

🍺 1822– Christmas Pitcher was recorded at the pub.

🍺 1830–1841– Elizabeth Pitcher held the licence.

🍺 Around 1841 – William Pitcher and his wife Ann took over, remaining at the property for more than 50 years! They raised five sons here while running the pub, and William also worked as a painter.

🍺 1901 – Their son Albert and his wife Emily had taken over as licensees, continuing the family's long connection with The Horse & Groom.

Just imagine spending over 100 years living and working within these walls, raising your children here and watching Swaffham change around you!

And then there's the darker side of the building's history… 😳

The Horse and Groom had a very gruesome past, as one of the landlords was found guilty of murder. The Pitcher family were the landlords for more than 100 years. One of these Pitchers was a lady called Elizabeth who ran the pub from 1830 to 1841. But then she retired and one of her sons, John Pitcher was found guilty of her murder in 1853 and 'transported' for the rest of his life.'

We're still researching the circumstances and historical records, so we don't yet know the full story, but it's certainly not something we expected to discover!

The history of this place is absolutely insane!

Over 200 years of history, generations of families, countless stories and perhaps a few secrets hidden within these walls!

To think of all the people who have lived here, worked here, celebrated here and passed through these doors is quite incredible.

❤️ AND NOW WE'RE PART OF ITS HISTORY TOO!

Having taken over The Horse & Groom just over a year ago, I thought I knew quite a bit about this old building. Clearly, I've barely scratched the surface!

We've spent the past year bringing this place back to life, and what a year it's been!

It's certainly been an adventure, and probably one of the most eventful years this building has seen in a while! 😂

But there's something incredibly special about restoring a building with so much history.

Every time we uncover an old photograph, discover another name or learn something new about its past, it makes all the hard work feel that little bit more worthwhile.

We're not just running a guest house. We're looking after a little piece of Swaffham's history.❤️

And hopefully, in another 100 years, someone will be looking back at photographs of what we've done here and talking about our chapter in The Horse & Groom's story.

If only these walls could talk… although, after today's discoveries, I'm not entirely sure I'd want to hear everything! 😂👀

NOW I NEED YOUR HELP!

Does anyone remember The Horse & Groom from years gone by?

Perhaps you've got some old photographs tucked away or stories that have been passed down through your family?

We would absolutely LOVE to hear them!

We're slowly piecing together more than 200 years of history, and who knows what else we might uncover!

The Horse & Groom isn't just a building… it's part of Swaffham's story, and we're incredibly proud to be part of its next chapter. 🏡❤️

16/10/2026

❤️🥂 **HAPPY 1ST YEAR TO US! 🥂❤️**

Well, where do I even begin? What a first year it’s been! 😂

Taking over The Horse & Groom Guest House was always going to be a challenge, but I certainly didn't expect to have a fire on the very first day! 🔥 Yes, you read that right… a FIRE on DAY ONE! 😳 Talk about being thrown in at the deep end!

From the fire to flooding, a full roof replacement, new radiators and water system, decorating, renovating, and what feels like a never-ending list of jobs, it's been one hell of a year! Honestly, if something could go wrong, it felt like it probably would! 😂🤦‍♀️

There have been stressful days, exhausting days, days where I've questioned my own sanity, and moments when I've wondered what on earth I've taken on! 😂 But I've kept going, worked my absolute backside off, and slowly but surely got everything back on track.

Today, I can finally say we're in a good place.❤️

The renovations are coming together, the business is stable, things are running smoothly, and for the first time in what feels like forever, I can actually take a breath and enjoy what I've been working so hard to build.

It's been a massive learning curve, and this first year has tested me in ways I never expected. But it's also shown me what hard work, determination, and a little bit of stubbornness can achieve! 💪😂

❤️ A FEW HUGE THANK YOUS! ❤️

🥰 First, to my partner, Liam Orchard Thank you for being there for me every step of the way, for helping me clean, checking guests in, rolling your sleeves up when things needed doing, and always being by my side through the highs, the lows, and everything in between. ❤️ Running a business like this isn't always easy, and having you there to help, support me, and stand beside me has meant more than words can say. Thank you for being part of this journey with me. I couldn't leave you out of this one! ❤️😘

❤️ To my mummy Jo Norton 🥹❤️ Thank you for being there for me and supporting me through this crazy journey. There's nothing quite like having your mum in your corner, especially when life gets stressful and things feel overwhelming. Thank you for believing in me, listening to me, and being there when I've needed you. Your love and support mean more to me than you'll ever know. Love you, Mummy! ❤️😘

❤️ To my right-hand woman, Vicky Fisher What would I have done without you? Thank you for all your help, support, and for being there through the madness of this first year. Having someone in my corner who I can rely on has made such a difference, and I'm so grateful to have had you by my side through it all. You're an absolute star! 🥰

😂 To Richard Cutting & Trudy Cutting , the previous owners, thank you for coming to my rescue on more than one occasion and for always being at the end of the phone when I've needed help or advice. I think you've probably had your fair share of calls from me this year! Having someone who knows the building inside out and is willing to help when things go wrong has been invaluable. Thank you for never being too far away when I've needed you!

🔨 And a huge thank you to JPN Services for all the hard work, help, and support throughout what has been a challenging year. Getting everything repaired, sorted, and back on track has been a massive part of this journey, and I really do appreciate everything you've done.

To everyone else who has stayed with us, supported us, recommended us, left us a review, or simply cheered us on along the way, Thank you from the bottom of my heart!! ❤️ Every bit of support means more than you know.

I'm genuinely proud of how far The Horse & Groom Guest House has come in just 12 months. We've faced some serious challenges, but we've come through them, and we're finally in a position to look forward rather than constantly dealing with the next disaster! 🙌

So, here's to YEAR TWO! 🥂

Hopefully, a year with fewer disasters, absolutely NO more fires, a lot less renovating, and plenty more success! 🤞😂

🔥 Fire on day one.
🔨 A year of hard work.
❤️ The right people in my corner.
🏡 A business I'm proud to call mine.

One year down, and what a year it's been!

Here's to the next chapter of The Horse & Groom Guest House. We've survived the first year… let's see what the second one brings! 😂🥂❤️🐴

02/10/2026

** Donations still open**

Lynn sport tonight @ 7pm

Please help me support my sister in law to be & her co workers ❤️

🔥 **We’re taking on the EACH Firewalk! 🔥**

On **Friday 2nd October 2026**, our brave team — Toni, Eleanor, Rebecca, Speransia and Paula— will be stepping barefoot across burning embers at Lynnsport to take part in the charity Firewalk and raise vital funds for EACH (East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices)**.

Before facing the fire, the team will take part in a 60-minute empowerment seminar with Master Firewalking Instructors Mark & Tanya Daniels, before putting their courage to the test and walking across the hot coals!

🔥 Every fiery step they take is for the children and families supported by EACH.

Your donation, no matter how big or small, will help EACH provide vital care and support to children and young people with life-threatening conditions, and their families, across East Anglia.

From specialist nursing care and hospice services to emotional and practical support, EACH is there for families when they need them most.

❤️ Please support our team and help us raise as much as possible for this incredible cause.

Thank you for helping us turn every step across the fire into support, care and hope for children and families.

Help Ward Gethin Archer raise money to support Priory Rotary Club King's Lynn

01/10/2026

From a work in progress to a beautifully finished, inviting space. ✨

The same little nook, completely transformed. The burner is back in place ( although only a feature) the walls have had a refined touch-up, and the space has been brought back to life.

Feels warm and cozy, — the perfect finishing touch our lounge 🔥

29/09/2026

You may have noticed on your drive past yesterday that the team at JPN Services were busy replacing the old sash windows with new PVC windows, designed to complement the rest of the guesthouse.

The rooms are now so quite!

The transformation is already looking fantastic, and we’re delighted with the progress.

The workmanship and attention to detail have been excellent, and the team are doing a wonderful job bringing this part of the guesthouse up to date while keeping its character.

22/09/2026

A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to share their thoughts, vote, and give their input — it’s been really appreciated! ❤️

This one was definitely the winner! 🎉

JPN Services will be happy to know he’s got even more work to find time for ❤️

Thanks again to everyone who got involved and helped make the decision so easy!

When its time we can do a before & after 😍

21/09/2026

Well… it’s just got worse! I was all set for the Sage calm but how beautiful does it look in Teal. 😂💚

After Trudy Cutting mentioned a teal green, I’ve now gone down another rabbit hole… because apparently I didn’t have enough choices already! 🤦‍♀️

So the question has changed…

**Which green?!** 🌿💚

Sage? Olive? Teal? Something a bit deeper and moodier?

Looking for a modern coachhouse / farmhouse feel

1 2 or 3 🤭🤭