Black Swan Hotel
The Black Swan Hotel has 12 en-suite bedrooms.
The history of The Black Swan dates well before the actual building that you see. The cellar is said to have been built prior to 1600, once being part of a lavish network of tunnels, spreading underneath the town.
The hotel itself was built in the 18th century, once owned by an alleged highwayman, Ambrose Saintsbury. The gallows were positioned opposite, where many thieves and vagabonds lost their lives.
Our very own Masonic Function Room was once the Court of Judgement and a meeting place for the local Free-masons and Traders.
In 1700 the building was rebuilt and re-named The Sergeant’s Head. The proprietor at the time was Francis Paradise the younger, a former sergeant of the mace to the towns major.
The cellars have five chambers which lead off from a central passage, the rear now being blocked off denying access to what is believed to be some extra 100 or so feet of further underground tunnels, leading to a labyrinth of secret passageways, under the streets and towards Devizes Castle.
There is a story of a highway man who was reputed to have kept his horses stabled in one of these tunnels. The story states that this man led a double life; he actually was a well respected man about town!!!
A figure of a man on horseback has been sighted in spirit and a lady wearing a long dress and a white cap have been captured on film, but don’t think these were only historical stories, these have only been a few recent claims here at The Black Swan Hotel.
Felt a slight breeze on your neck, a tap on your shoulder, glimpsed a shadow lurking in the corner, don’t be alarmed, it could just be your imagination….. or COULD IT???
