This old coaching house has played a major part in the life
of the local people for many years by hosting business,social and political
events here.Back in the early days most of the town sales were also conducted
here.The Swan and Royal was the main coaching in Clitheroe in the heyday of
coaching.Around the back which is now the Swan Courtyard occupied by shops
used to be the stables for the horses and coaches traveling through the town.The
earliest know printed record for the Swan is in 1749 when a meeting of local
bailiffs took place,the bill added unto £3 12s 5d for 'expenses'.Then
from this time onwards The Swan is well recorded in the local history of the
town.Back then The Swan occasionally would be used as another venue other
than the old Moot Hall (that use to be where the library is today).Alot of
the old Corporation business was conducted here.This house originally use
to be known as the White Swan.It is not know when it became the Swan and Royal,but
the first mention of the Swan and Royal is in 1851 listed in the Slaters business
directory.
Here is an interesting old bill for someone that stayed
at The Swan back in 1852.As mentioed above the place was now known as Swan
and Royal.On the top of the bill it still called 'The Swan',so the change
of name must of been around that time.
