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Visit our historic Rows
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.
Unique to Great Yarmouth, the Rows were a network of 145 very narrow streets which ran parallel to each other.
They were so narrow that a special 'Troll Cart' was developed to transport goods along them. There's a pub named after this unusually shaped cart, and you can see the real thing at the Time and Tide Museum.
Charles Dickens (1812-1870) said of them: "A Row is a long, narrow lane or alley quite straight, or as nearly as maybe, with houses on each side, both of which you can sometimes touch at once with the finger tips of each hand, by stretching out your arms to their full extent."
The Rows took up most of the land inside the town walls. At first both rich and poor people 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.
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 just 27 inches (68.5cm) wide 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.
Today you can visit real Row houses at Great Yarmouth Row Houses where Row 111 and The Old Merchants House show two different ideas of what life was like when the Rows were inhabited. Alternatively, an increadibly realistic Row with inhabitants throughout the ages has been recreated at Time and Tide. Broad Row and Market Row are also well worth a look, both run from the Market Place to Hall Quay and today are packed with shops.
Few people now live in The Rows, however, a lot of evidence of this unique way of life survives. Row numbers are still painted on walls at the ends of passageways as you walk around Great Yarmouth and if you happen to see Ernie at Great Yarmouth Painting & Craft, he might be persuaded to recount some Yarmouth folk lore about life in the Rows.
Walks in the borough of Great Yarmouth
Herbert Barnes Park
Great Yarmouth
Herbert Barnes Park Walk is a walk of less than 1 mile, starting at Broadland Rugby Club in Great Yarmouth.
Thurne
Great Yarmouth
Thurne Walk is a 3.3 mile (5.3 kilometre) circular walk starting at the Lion Inn public house in Thurne near Great Yarmouth.
Winterton to Horsey
Great Yarmouth
A long coastal walk from Winterton to Horsey with stunning views and wildlife including views of the main grey seal colony. Options for a shorter 7.5 mile or 9 mile walk.
Great Yarmouth to Mautby
Great Yarmouth
Great Yarmouth to Mautby Walk is a 9 mile (9.66 kilometre) circular walk starting at Bure Park on the outskirts of Great Yarmouth. A shorter walk of 6 miles is also possible from this same starting point.
Winterton to Martham Broad
Great Yarmouth
A long walk from Winterton-on-sea to Martham Broad via East Somerton. Enjoy the stunning landscape and wildlife of the Broads, surprisingly nearby!
Horsey Mill
Great Yarmouth
Horsey Mill Walk is a 5 mile (8 kilometre) circular walk starting at Horsey Mill near Great Yarmouth.
Martham Staithe
Great Yarmouth
Martham Staithe Walk is a 3.01 mile (4.8 kilometre) circular walk starting from Martham Library on Black Street in Martham near Great Yarmouth.
Runham
Great Yarmouth
Runham Walk is a 2.2 mile (3.5 kilometre) circular walk starting at Runham village green in Runham near Great Yarmouth.
Burgh Castle to Fritton
Great Yarmouth
This Burgh Castle to Fritton walk is part of the Angle Way and is a 4.5 mile (7.25 kilometre) walk starting at Burgh Castle Roman Fort car park in Burgh Castle near Great Yarmouth
Stokesby
Great Yarmouth
Stokesby Walk is a 4.25 mile (6.75 kilometre) circular walk starting at the riverside car park located 100 metres from the Ferry Inn at Stokesby village near Great Yarmouth.
Ormesby St Margaret
Great Yarmouth
Ormesby St Margaret Walk is a 2 mile (3.2 kilometre) circular walk starting at The Jolly Farmers public house in Ormesby St Margaret near Great Yarmouth.
Ormesby St Margaret to Decoy Road
Great Yarmouth
Ormesby St Margaret to Decoy Road Walk is a 3 mile (4.8 kilometre) circular walk starting at the footpath sign on the Memorial Green in Ormesby St Margaret near Great Yarmouth.
Halvergate to Great Yarmouth
Norwich
The Halvergate to Great Yarmouth Walk is an 8 mile (12.9 kilometre) walk starting at the village sign on The Street in Halvergate, on the outskirts of Great Yarmouth.
Thurne to Clippesby
Great Yarmouth
Two choices for the Thurne to Clippesby Walk - the full loop is a 6.7 mile (10.8km) circular walk starting at the Lion Inn public house in the village of Thurne near Great Yarmouth or a shorter loop is possible for a walk of 4.5m (7.2km).
The Berney Arms
Great Yarmouth
The Berney Arms to Great Yarmouth Walk is a 5.6 mile (9 kilometre) walk starting at the Berney Arms Inn near Great Yarmouth.
Filby Church
Great Yarmouth
The Filby Church walk is a 1.2 mile (2 kilometre) circular walk starting at Filby Bridge in the village of Filby near Great Yarmouth.
Burgh Castle to Great Yarmouth
Great Yarmouth
Burgh Castle to Great Yarmouth along the Angles Way is a 4.5 mile (7.25 kilometre) walk starting at Burgh Castle Roman Fort car park in Burgh Castle near Great Yarmouth.
Great Yarmouth Historic Town
Great Yarmouth
Great Yarmouth Historic Town Walk is a 1.9 mile (3 kilometre) circular walk starting at Hall Quay in Great Yarmouth.
Great Yarmouth Promenade Starter
Great Yarmouth
Great Yarmouth Promenade Starter Walk is a 4 mile (6.4 kilometre) circular walk starting at the northern end of the seafront where North Drive meets Salisbury Road in Great Yarmouth.
Ashby with Oby
Great Yarmouth
Ashby with Oby Walk is a 3.36 mile (5.4 kilometre) circular walk starting at the lay-by car park on Hall Lane in Oby near Great Yarmouth.
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