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Gorleston resort today

Our Bygone Riverside

            

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Let's take a ramble around the town looking at 
interesting buildings - some Grade II Listed  



When you study shops or offices remember to look up because the ground floor has invariably been changed to suit the business, leaving the upper storey to tell it's real origins.

I hope this will help to add interest to your journeys around Gorleston and increase awareness in our town, it's environment and heritage.

THOSE WITH THEIR NAMES COLOURED BLUE ARE GRADE II LISTED

To start a few reminders of our fishing heritage

Far left is the Tower built by Harvey Harvey-George manager of Hewett's "Short Blue" fleet when the garden of his  house, Surbiton Lodge was taken in to continue Trafalgar Road East to the High Street

Centre, Hewett's Buildings built to house their workers, not only fishermen but also those who worked on the maintenance of the fleet after relocating from Barking
Far right the ice house built by Hewett's to store ice to keep fish in a fresh condition  on the voyage to Billingsgate  from the fishing grounds by fast carrier vessels.

Centre steps from the High Street leading to the riverside.

Left the Dock Tavern public house sited at the south end of Hewett's Wharf close to their dock, the entrance of which only recently filled in when  the new river wall was built

 Right is the Short Blue in the High Street another haunt for the Hewett workers.   Worth a visit for the atmosphere and collection of photos on the walls.

Far left is the Fishermans Institute which provided relaxation during short periods ashore.   There was a reading room where the literate could read newspapers to the others.   Alcohol was banned.

Centre is the first cottage hospital on Trafalgar Road East built on land given by Harvey Harvey-George

All the above are a part of our "Short Blue" heritage from the period that Hewett's "Short Blue" fleet was based at Gorleston from the mid 19th century until the sale of smacks and facilities in 1904.

Click here to see the story of the "Short Blue" 

 

The only listed building in this group, which are all in a small area of the High Street  is the Short Blue Tavern.
But we are hoping the whole of this High Street/High Road area will shortly be made a conservation area because it also contains several more buildings of interest some listed. 
The area stretches from the west end of Blackwall Reach, goes to the east of the Fisherman's Institute down to the river and follows it to the old ferry where it goes west along Ferryside Lane to the west side of High road and continues to Trafalgar Road East where it crosses to the east side and continues back to Blackwall Reach.

The following buildings together with those above are in the proposed Conservation Area.

 The area takes in eight Grade II listings including the mile post and provides a mix of other interesting buildings, making with the riverside a pleasant round walk taking in several heritage sites with a quiet rest at Williamsons Lookout opposite Koolunga overlooking Nelsons Monument and the river.

Left is 97 High Road.

Right 96 High Road

Far left is 95 High Road.

Centre Anchor Cottage is on the left of the pair and Manby who was the inventor of the rocket rescue apparatus and several other inventions had his house to the right


Right is the Barking Fishery public house now closed.   So named because Barking was the original base of the "Short Blue" fleet.   Nelson's memorial can be seen in the background.

Left the weathervane a replica of that on the town hall in Gt. Yarmouth was until recently on this one time pub.

 

Left is Koolunga, previously Hill House and part of the Garnham estate.   The small park on the riverside known as "Williamsons Lookout" was left to the the Borough by Mrs. Williamson in memory of her husband.
Right is the milepost near the parish boundary in the High Street

Britannia Terrace is  built into the cliff side with  two floors plus a basement on High Road and five floors facing the river 
Centre is Clarence House on High Road built by John Garnham.  Here he entertained king William IV when the Duke of Clarence.

Far right once the vicarage of the famous Rev. Forbes Phillips presenter of the Gorleston Pageant.  

Left is the house of Dr. Batley who opened Gorlestons first hospital to be soon replaced by the cottage hospital in Trafalgar Road East.   He was also a local historian.

Right is the building used by Dr. Batley for that hospital.

This completes our look at the proposed conservation area.    I would suggest a walk starting at the Baker Street end of Blackwall reach (car park just around the corner) going northwards taking in Blackwall Reach itself with many interesting buildings.   Continue north along the high street and High Road to the fire station returning south to Williamsons Lookout, down to the riverside and back to Baker Street.   You would find the GOSH book "Walking with the Past" a useful companion.

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