The Old Post Office & Andrew Francis Funeral Directors

The “old” Post Office in Lynn Street opened in 1894. The ironwork over the Post Office door came from the staging post for the Lynn to Norwich coach.

The “new” Post Office opened in 1968 opposite the old one. It closed as a post office in 1989 and is now a sorting office.

In the 1980s the business here was Neil’s Cards. Henchman?

At some time the business was the pet shop Heads and Tails.

More details on the Post Office Services in Swaffham can be found in the booklet of the same name which can be purchased at Swaffham Heritage Museum.

Post Office Complex and the people who lived there

Before the Post Office the division between Lynn Street and Marketplace was flexible but tended to change at the King’s Arms.

Afterwards the Post Office became the dividing line. In 1841 the plot beyond the Post Office, including Howard’s harness makers, belonged to William Sands, the grandfather of Howard Carter.

Where the old post office now stands belonged to John Jacob Clarke, of whom nothing is known.

Down the side of each, Post Office Terrace, were buildings, some dwellings, some workshops or barns, so most residents cannot be identified.

The table shows those names who lived in this section.