IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Swan Bank, CONGLETON, CW12 1AL

Both these 19th century houses are grade II listed (list entries 1130469, 1130479).

This old sign for Image is set high up on the brickwork of one of the buildings at the top of the street.

This is the sign attached to Image Although both the lion and the swan feature heavily in heraldry, the lion depicting strength and courage and the swan being a lover of poetry and music, they also have links with the Church in that the lion depicts the dignity of Christ with the swan standing for innocence; the Church and the inn have always been closely related with early monastic institutions often having a hostelry attached to them. In this case, however, the Lion and the Swan were two adjacent public houses that merged in the 18th century, so there are two separate interpretations of this name. But we mustn't forget, and this is very important, the spectre of the brown haired young lady who appears every new moon wearing nothing but a smile and a pair of clogs! On a more mundane, but equally as important note- there is a bench mark on the wall directly below this sign (Image).

This cut mark is on the wall of Image that faces onto Wagg Street. Before Global Positioning Systems (GPS) were invented the Ordnance Survey used benchmarks to determine accurate heights above sea level. For more information on this and other benchmarks visit http://www.bench-marks.org.uk/bm36096 .

There is a one-way system in the town centre, and maybe has been for a long time, given the apparent age of this road sign. The building behind is the Lion and Swan pub.

Built in the 16th century, this Tudor building dominates the top of Swan Bank. there were originally two hostelries, the Lion and the Swan, that were built using recycled ships timbers with a wattle and daub infill. The two inns merged and were extended during the 18th century to accommodate a growing number of travellers using the canals, roads and railways. Reputedly the hotel is haunted by a brown haired young lady every new moon wearing nothing but a pair of clogs and a smile. As a bit of an anticlimax after that- there is a benchmark on the wall facing Wagg Street, behind the sign post just visible on the left of the picture (Image). For a close up of the sign see Image

Little Street runs from near the Lion and Swan Hotel to Bridge Street. It is a short and narrow lane that seems to have Tudor buildings on one side.

A historic pub at the top of Swan Bank, currently closed for refurbishment. Was the pub named after the street or vice-versa? It dates from the 17th century (according to Historic England) or possibly earlier (see link below). The building is grade II listed (list entry 1325197) but the timbered frontage is a 19th century adaptation. To the right is a bridge to the former stables. Another contributor gives a fuller history and explanation for the name Image

The hotel was built in the 16th century and extended in later years.

The side of the hotel, seen from West Street. The hotel was built in the 16th century and extended in later years.