THE SWAN THE HUB OF OUR COMMUNITY
The Swan and the Community
The Swan has overlooked the Village Green since 1523 and has been trading as an ale house since 1665, it has been the meeting and socialising centre of the community for hundreds of years.
The Swan has overlooked the Village Green since 1523 and has been trading as an ale house since 1665. The Swan is the hub of our community, a place where locals and those from the surrounding countryside, villages and towns can socialise and take part in quiz nights, music nights and other social events. It’s at the heart of our Village Fête, Produce Show, Bonfire night and many other Community events. As the only full-time provider of hospitality, food and drinks for several miles it brings money into the local economy, supporting local businesses and tourism. It’s also a major employer in the parish, providing five full-time jobs and the first work experience for many younger members of the Community.
Village Fête
Village Produce Show
Village Bonfire Night
The Swan Community Project
You may have noticed how many pubs are slowly and quietly disappearing from the local villages? We have, so when we heard we might be able to buy the Swan we decided to do something about it. We set up The Swan Community Project, an exciting project that will see our historic pub, The Swan on The Green, West Peckham, moved to Community ownership for future generations to enjoy.
A Community Benefit Society
A Community Benefit Society, The Swan Community Project Limited, will own The Swan and be responsible for its future. It’s a ‘not for profit’ Society with a mission to operate the pub for the benefit of the Community and will re-invest the profits in the pub to achieve this. Community ownership will give us all a say in how the pub will be run.
Our vision is for a friendly local pub offering great food, great service and with a great atmosphere. We already have a great location!
We also want to extend the services the pub provides and also to improve access for those who live nearby but are unable to be active members of the Community. We will be setting up initiatives aimed at increasing participation of the disabled, infirm, elderly and young in Community events. Community is for all, not just the few.
To finance the project we are applying for government grants and plan to launch a Community Share Offer on 18 April 2024. It’s a huge task and we hope you will help us achieve it.
THE SWAN ON THE GREEN
The Swan Today
The Swan boasts a unique location on the Green in West Peckham a quintessential no drive through village in the heart of West Kent, surrounded by soft fruit and apple farms.
AS SEEN ON TV
You may have seen the Swan in the Television Series “The Larkins” where it was known as the Hare and Hounds, staring Joanna Scanlan and Bradley Walsh
The cast of The Larkins. Objective Fiction / Genial Productions / ITV
WALKING.....CYCLING
The Swan is also at the crossroads of the Weald Way and the Greensands Way, this could be the perfect opportunity for a coffee stop or a quick bite to eat. The Swan is also dog friendly, your four-legged friends are welcome to join you.
DINING AT THE SWAN
Its 16th Century dining area offers the perfect destination for everything from a quick bite to eat to family dining, working lunches and private parties.
Yesterdays Swan
The Swan on the Green has been a part of the parish since 1526
This Inn know by the name and sign of the Swan was built in the 17 year of Henry V111 in 1526, at this time the inn had no recorded name, but over the years it had many.. The Millers Arms, The Myllers Arms on the Greene, Honest Tom’s, The White Swan and finally The Swan on the Green.
The original structure has been altered and added to at different intervals of time particularly during the reign of George 11 and again that of Victoria.
Yesterdays Swan
The Swan on the Green has been a part of the
parish since 1526
This Inn known by the name and sign of the Swan was built in the 17th year of Henry V111 in 1526, at this time the Inn had no recorded name, but over the years it had many…. The Millers Arms, The Myllers Arms on the Greene, Honest Tom’s, The White Swan and finally The Swan on the Green.
The original structure has been altered and added to at different intervals of time particularly during the reign of George 11 and again that of Victoria.
The Swan boasts a unique location on the Green in West Peckham a quintessential no drive through village in the heart of West Kent, surrounded by soft fruit and apple farms.
Its 16th Century dining area offers the perfect destination for everything from a quick bite to eat to family dining, working lunches and private parties.
The Swan is also at the crossroads of the Weald Way and the Greensands Way, this could be the perfect opportunity for a coffee stop or a quick bite to eat. The Swan is also dog friendly, your four-legged friends are welcome to join you.
The Swan Today
The Swan on the Green
Help on the Road to Success
Standing in the heart of Bethersden, The George has, for several decades, been the social centre of village life. Following the pubs closure in 2020, local residents came together to form ‘The George Community’ with the aim of saving it.
The Plunkett Foundation is a national charity, supporting people in rural areas to set up and run a wide range of businesses which are genuinely owned by local communities.
The Plough in Taylors Lane, Trottiscliffe is community owned and family run. 120 Trottiscliffe villagers jointly invested the capital needed to rescue the country pub from property developers.