King’s Arms

Public house and shop. Mid C17. Flint and
brick, pantiled roof. Grade II listed

Reputedly the pub was a coaching inn called The Three Fishes from 1608 until a name change probably at the Restoration of the Monarchy in 1666.(Ripper, Ribbons, 123)

The first licensee traced so far was Joseph Mills who sold all of his stock, from wines to carriages on 14 February 1778. The notice to creditors gives the reason why.

From that time innkeepers were many; some for only a short time and others for longer, such as George Whitby from 1846 to 1865 and his successor John Palmer from 1868 to 1885.

The 20th century was less successful and changes were frequent. The Swaffham History Group’s booklet on the pub tells the story of the licensees at the King’s Arms.

In the late 19th century there was a military association attached to the pub – a couple of examples:-

In 1868 the 6th Norfolk Rifles held a banquet there and in 1876 the G company of volunteers mustered at the King’s Arms club, marched to the railway station where they met the Watton members from the train and then marched back to the King’s Arms for a meal.

Many of the well-respected residents of the town attended. On both occasions the landlord was Mr. Palmer.

From at least sometime in the 1860s it was also the local home of the Oddfellows until they were “compelled” to move out in 1880. The Lodge then moved to the Oddfellows room in the Corn Hall.

Between the 50s and 70s a considerable effort went on engaging the community with several sports, including pub games, meeting here and entertainments on offer.

Recent history continues the decline. It closed and was put up for sale in 2010; advertised as a free house and restaurant in 2012; closed again in 2014 and was to open again as a Gastro Pub that year. Currently it remains closed.