Until the 19th Century, building was only permitted within the medieval town walls. The limited space dictated that houses were built as closely together as possible, which led to the development of the Rows
The Rows were a network of 145 very narrow streets unique to Great Yarmouth, which run parallel to each other.
They were so narrow that a special “Troll Cart” was developed to transport goods along them.
The Rows took up most of the land inside the town walls. At first both rich and poor lived there together. The wealthier people gradually moved out and their houses were divided up into smaller properties. This left a fantastic range of architecture. Grand merchant houses stood next to tiny dwellings which were built back-to-back with the houses in the next row.
Few people now live in the Rows. However, a lot of evidence of this unique way of life survives. You may notice the row numbers painted on walls at the ends of passageways as you walk around Great Yarmouth.
The number of rows changed as some were blocked up and new ones created. The Rows were all given names derived from local characters or prominent buildings. “Kitty Witches”, which ran from King Street to Middlegate Street, was the narrowest row at 27 inches in some parts. Some rows had more than three names. In 1804 it was decided to make things easier and give each row a number.
