The Swan Public House

The Swan Public House is a pub on Bishopgate Street featuring timber-framed construction with the upper floor projecting over the street level. The structure combines architectural elements from different periods, with some sections built from brick that replaced earlier timber work.

The building was constructed in 1560 during the Tudor period as an important structure in York. In 1670, Henry Thompson undertook major modifications that replaced timber sections with brick work, creating the mixed construction visible today.

The pub has hosted folk music performances since 1978 and became a center for this musical tradition in York. Visitors can experience regular live sessions and see how the space continues to serve as a gathering place for musicians and enthusiasts.

The Grade II listing means the interior preserves its historical character without modern renovations that would obscure the original structure. It sits in York's center and makes sense to explore alongside other historic buildings in the surrounding area.

Local lore mentions an underground passage said to connect the building to nearby St Cuthbert's Church. This hidden connection adds to the mysterious stories that surround this historic location.