Next door to the Crown and Cushion, also backing through to Bedford St. is the White Swan. Recorded in deeds as the White Swan in 1794, the Swan in 1800 and back to the White Swan by 1815 in the local directory.
In 1815, the White Swan was brewing its own ale, Joseph Staines the licensee. By 1830, Thomas Staines and by 1840, Henry Staines was running the pub.
Further landlords included: 1846, John Sawbridge. 1870, Charles Hayler. 1876. Charles Wright, and later that year William Kelly. The pub and brewery was sold in 1879 to Bates and Sons, a local brewery.
A case of drunkenness on the premises in 1879, prompted the local press to praise the staff of the White Swan, unlike its neighbour The Crown and Cushion, that had been criticised for its low life customers. The White Swan staff, after a bout of drunkenness on the 5th of April, were praised for the ‘zeal of the waiters in preserving good order’.
1882, William Austin. 1886, Walter Goodwin. 1889, WilliamK elly again.
The merry go round continued with Walter Goodwin again in 1890, although around now Worthingtons supplied the beer. In 1891, George Wilson took over. 1894, James Flint. 1900 the pub and brewery were up for sale. 1912, John Flint. 1917, Ethel Flint. 1919, John Flint was back. 1927, John Lockwood, and in 1928 Albert James.
The White Swan closed in 1930 and the licence was transferred to the Broadway in Abbey Lane in July of that year.
