Home > Dorset > Broadwey > Swan Inn Swan Inn
Date of photo: c1920	Picture source: Andy Miller
The Swan Inn was situated on Dorchester Road and is now in residential use. Some signage still remain.
The Swan Inn was run by my great, great grandparents, William and Mary Ann Orchard from about 1843 until 1857. Prior to this it was run by Mary Ann's parents, Thomas and Mary Bunn. Thomas was formerly head turnkey at Dorchester Prison. The inn was well situated on the Weymouth to Dorchester road and catered for much passing traffic. Horse-drawn traffic passed through an archway to a yard behind where a drinking trough was still found on my last visit. The Orchards moved out when the railway eventually arrived at Weymouth and passing trade dropped off. Stories passed down in the family include hiding youths from the press gang that came up from Weymouth looking for "recruits" to the Navy and Charles Dickens writing to thank Mrs Orchard for sending on things he had left behind after a stay. This has been difficult to verify but my father saw the letter before his uncle sent it to The Dickens Birthplace Museum at Portsmouth. Local newspaper searches suggest that it was a well appointed inn, holding local auctions, meetings and providing food for large groups on occasions. The Swan Inn had a malthouse attached in the 1820s which caught fire and damaged adjoining buildings. Arson was suspected and resulted in a court case.
David Orchard (April 2015)
The photo above shows one of the Hall and Woodhouse steam drays making a delivery, probably around 1920. The young chap with his hands on his hips was Billy Greetham and he was the landlords errand boy. The photo below was taken during the late 1970's or early 1980's. It shows a more modern dray vehicle. The two chaps on the left were the draymen, while the older chap on the right was a much older Billy Greetham. Billy was born in the tall house in the background in 1908 — he was the inn's longest serving customer. The landlord at this time was Charlie Thornberry and his wife Maureen. When Charlie passed away due to a big stroke, the business was taken over by Terry and Gillian McInnerny. The place shut its doors to the trade after Terry died, after a big stroke. By that time trade had dropped drastically and there was not enough income to keep the place in business. Gillian still lives nearby.
Andy Miller (May 2026)
Do you have any anecdotes, historical information, updates or photos of this pub? Become a contributor by submitting them here. You can add your email contact details along with other ex-customers and landlords of this pub here.
Other Photos
Date of photo: c1980	Picture source: Andy Miller
© Copyright Mike Faherty and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence