'''Swaffham''' is a small market town in the west of Norfolk.

Get in

By road

Swaffham is located just south where the west-east (Kings Lynn to Norwich) A47 and the south-north A1065 (London, Cambridge and Newmarket to Fakenham and North Norfolk) roads cross. These two busy routes provide Swaffham with a large volume of passing trade and travellers, especially at weekends and during the summer months.

By bus

Swaffham's most frequent and important bus connection is the Excell X1[http://www.firstgroup.com/easterncounties] regional bus. Services call every half hour (Monday to Saturday) or hourly (Sundays) in both directions:

  • '''X1 westbound''' towards Kings Lynn, Wisbeach, Peterborough bus station, Peterborough railway station and most villages en route.
  • '''X1 eastbound''' towards Dereham, Norwich, Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft and most villages en route.
  • Swaffham has daily National Express [http://www.nationalexpress.com] service on two routes:

  • '''NX308 westbound''' towards Kings Lynn, Wisbeach, Peterborough, Leicester, Coventry and Birmingham.
  • '''NX308 eastbound''' towards Dereham, Norwich and Great Yarmouth.
  • and

  • '''NX496 southbound''' towards Mundford, Brandon, Mildenhall, Stratford (London) and London.
  • '''NX496 northbound''' towards Dereham, Fakenham, Holt, Sherringham and Cromer.
  • Details of additional rural bus routes between Swaffham and neighbouring towns and villages can be found on the website of Traveline East Anglia [http://www.travelineeastanglia.org.uk/] or by calling the National Traveline service on 0870-608-2-608.

    By train

    There are stations on different lines, approximately equidistant to Swaffham.

  • '''Downham Market''' is 25km (15 miles) west, for services north to Kings Lynn and south Ely, Cambridge and London King's Cross.
  • '''Brandon''' 25km (15 miles) south, for services east to Thetford, Attleborough, Wymondham and Norwich and west to Ely and Cambridge. Cross country trains from the northwest and midlands do not stop at Brandon, but they do stop at Thetford, which is just a few miles further away from Swaffham than Brandon.
  • Get around

    Swaffham is small enough to be easily explored on foot. There is no public transport within the town itself.

    See

    Do

    Buy

    '''Swaffham Market''' takes place in the town centre every Saturday from around 08.00 until around 15.00. The market square is occupied with stalls, and the town is usually bustling with people from surrounding towns and villages. Fresh meat, fish, fruit and vegetables are widely available, as well as more specialised local produce.

    For when the market isn't in town, there are three supermarkets in Swaffham. There's a basic '''Rainbow Co-Op''' on London Road, just south of the market place; a discount '''Netto''' north-east of the town centre on the Lynn Road; and a well stocked '''Waitrose''' supermarket with organic counters and petrol station, on the Castle Acre road next to the junction of the A47 and A1065.

    Eat

    Drink

    The Grey Hound in Swaffham is a family friendly pub with seating out front and a pub garden. Very welcoming.

    Sleep

  • '''Strattons Hotel''' offers a dozen or so elaborately themed and luxurious double bedrooms and suites. Rates start at approximately __70 per night. 4 Ash Close, Swaffham, PE37 7NH. Telephone (01760) 723845. [http://www.strattonshotel.com/]
  • Get out