Needham Market Swan
opening hours
- Mon-Thu: 1200-2300
- Fri-Sat: 1200-2400
- Sun: 1200-2200
food times
- Mon-Fri: 1200-1500, 1700-2100
- Sat: 1200-2100
- Sun: 1200-1800
listed building grade II
Local licensing authority for Needham Market is Mid Suffolk
CAMRA Ipswich & East Suffolk branch.
last updated Nov 28th, 2025.
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Needham Market Swan
formerly King's Head
North East, 52.15187,1.05344
Cask Ale is understood not to be sold here.
9 High St, IP6 8AL
grid reference TM 089 547
opened 1620
owner/operator: Greene King / Greene King
Recently (late February 2026) reopened. Further details to follow.
The Swan retains many exposed beams with a pleasant airy atmosphere. The pub is divided into a drinkers bar area and a diners restaurant area.
Previously the pub was dog friendly, and family friendly (before 9pm), and offered live music (local musicians and open mic), quiz nights, bingo, poker, regular sports on TV, and BBQs in the garden.
A fire in 1781 destroyed a brew-house, stable, granary, old parlour and bed chambers. The pub was then closed for 10 years.
Facilities
Accessible to disabled customers: accessible toilet
Beer garden or other outside drinking area: large garden
Bus stop nearby (see transport links for details)
Dogs welcome
Evening meals
Family friendly: children welcome before 9pm
Live music: open mic once a month every 2nd Wednesday
Lunchtime meals (not just snacks)
Parking
Real fire
Restaurant or separate dining area
Special events: quiz nights on Thursday from 7.30pm, bingo every Tuesday, poker every Sunday
Sport TV: Sky Sports
Traditional pub games available: pool league on Tuesdays, Scrabble, playing cards
Railway station about 0.1 miles away (see transport links for details)
Gallery
Nearest railway station
Needham Market: 117 yards (106m)Other nearby Suffolk pubs
Rampant Horse 0.03 mile
Limes 0.25 mile
Lion 0.29 mile
Three Tuns 0.33 mileHistorical interest
The pub is shown on this old OS map from about 1902 (interactive map)
Owner/operator: Greene King
Dating from 1542, the pub still retains many exposed beams. Pleasant airy atmosphrere with good beer. Live music on the last Tues of the month.
Beers: Greene King XX Mild, IPA, seasonal ale, Abbot.CAMRA's 1997 Suffolk Real Ale Guide
Built by John Hatfield in 1544, the (now) Swan was bought by Peter Levell in 1620 and named the King's Head. The name probably changed after the civil war. It was bought by Francis Theobald (Lord of the Manor) in 1653 and presented to the town to help fund the Grammar school.
To be sold, a Large brick house with convenient Sellars, Out-houses and Brewing Office with a Garden, Orchard and a large Barn…
Landlords
(Most pub, location & historic details collated by Nigel, Tony or Keith - original sources are credited)
(1891 census information from Dudley Diaper)
(information from book "Needham Market Pubs" by Desmond and Shelagh Herring)
(some old PO directory information courtesy of londonpublichouse.com)
(** historic newspaper information from Stuart Ansell)
(*** historic newspaper information from Bob Mitchell)
