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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
Beacon Park Woodland
Gorleston-on-Sea
Beacon Park Woodland Walk is a 1.8 mile (2.89 kilometre) circular walk starting at the west side of the Beacon Innovation Centre on the outskirts of Gorleston-on-Sea near Great Yarmouth.
Breydon Water & Burgh Castle
Great Yarmouth
The Breydon Water & Burgh Castle Walk is a 8.5 mile (13.7 kilometre) circular walk starting at the 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.
Hemsby Walk
Hemsby
Hemsby Walk is a 3.4 mile (5.5 kilometre) circular walk starting at the Lacon Arms public house in Hemsby near Great Yarmouth.
Sea Palling to Horsey Gap Walk 51
Great Yarmouth
A sheltered and peaceful walk, immersed in nature. This varied walk is good for bird watching and reptile spotting as well as offering far-reaching views inland and along the coast.
Gorleston Promenade/ExerciseTrail
Gorleston-on-Sea
Gorleston Promenade & Exercise Trail Walk is a 2.1mile (3.4 kilometre) circular walk starting at the promenade beside the Pier Hotel at the harbour mouth in Gorleston-on-Sea near Great Yarmouth.
Halvergate Weavers Way
Norwich
Halvergate Weavers Way Walk is a 10 mile (16 kilometre) circular walk starting at St Peter & St Paul's Church in Halvergate on the outskirts of Great Yarmouth towards Norwich.
Explore Winterton-on-sea
Great Yarmouth
Explore Winterton-on-Sea village on this easy 1.5mile walk, suitable for all levels. See the lighthouse, thatched cottages, the large village church and beautiful greens.
Great Yarmouth to Mautby
Great Yarmouth
Great Yarmouth to Mautby Walk is a 6 mile (9.66 kilometre) circular walk starting at Bure Park on the outskirts of 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.
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.
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.
Horsey Mill
Great Yarmouth
Horsey Mill Walk is a 5 mile (8 kilometre) circular walk starting at Horsey Mill near Great Yarmouth.
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.
Winterton via East Somerton
Great Yarmouth
Winterton-on-Sea via East Somerton Walk is a 3.3 mile (5.3 kilometre) circular walk starting at the Beach Road public car park in Winterton-on-Sea near Great Yarmouth.
Halvergate Marshes & Weavers Way
Norwich
Halvergate Marshes and Weavers Way Walk is a 5 mile (8 kilometre) circular walk starting at the village sign on The Street in Halvergate, on the outskirts of Great Yarmouth towards Norwich.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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