Swaffham High Street Heritage Action Zone

March 2021 saw the start of Historic England's High Streets Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) programme in Swaffham.

The HSHAZ programme aims to revive and champion historic high streets. It will revitalise Swaffham high street by maximising the potential of local character and heritage assets.

The project includes:

• The development of a Town Centre Improvement Masterplan by Urban Symbiotics.
  • Swaffham Masterplan Enhancement Scheme - Introduction and vision (PDF) [1MB] (opens new window)
  • Swaffham Masterplan Enhancement Scheme - The Masterplan Strategies Handbook (PDF) [6MB] (opens new window)
  • Swaffham Masterplan Enhancement Scheme - The Spaces Handbook (PDF) [3MB] (opens new window)
  • Swaffham Masterplan Enhancement Scheme - The Activities Handbook (PDF) [2MB] (opens new window)
• Reappraisal of the Swaffham Town Centre Conservation Area (PDF) [24MB] (opens new window) by Purcell Architecture.
• A Building Improvement Scheme, which is being delivered with the 'Conservation Accredited' Architect, Kings & Dunne Architects. The building improvement scheme is well underway with a grant offered to the Assembly Rooms, works are currently underway to the roof and façade of the property. This will ensure the building is watertight and will be an attractive centrepiece to Swaffham's Marketplace. Further grants have been offered to Mr Chips and Tutankhamun's for new shop fronts based on the original 1900s evidence. This will increase the historic appearance of the shops and the conservation area.  A repair grant has also been offered to Jewellery Unique - to help ensure the building remains in good condition.  All grant funding has now been allocated for this year but further funding may become available - if you would like to express an interest in a grant or have an informal conversation please complete the form below.
• Public Realm improvements, the High Street Heritage Action Zone aims to make the conservation area an area where people want to spend more time. It has already delivered new benches, new planting and new trees in the Market Place area. This will be complimented by new cycle stands, lighted bollards and new bus shelters with real time bus information. This aims to promote sustainable ways of reaching Swaffham.
• Cultural Programme, this works alongside the main programme to encourage the use of the Town centre and Marketplace. A successful Carter 2022 project was run last year including a community excavation on the Campingland and the installation of a community mosaic pyramid. This year a successful Coronation event was held on the Market Square and over 1300 people attended for a cream tea. A series of further events are planned for this year including a food event and a harvest fair.

For more information and upcoming events visit the Swaffham cultural events page (opens new window)

Map of the Swaffham Heritage Action Zone:

For more information about the scheme please see Historic England's website - 

• Historic England - High Street Heritage Action Zones (opens new window)
• Historic England's Swaffham page (opens new window)

Submit an Expression of Interest in a Business Improvement Grant

Are you interested in Swaffham's cultural history? Get involved, learn more andvolunteer with the Cultural Consortium (opens new window).