THE PUBLIC HOUSES OF GREAT YARMOUTH

Well over one hundred Public Houses exist in the immediate Yarmouth area. Once these were all tightly packed into the space within the town wall, but now this has spread to a much larger area, and the pubs have migrated with the population, the original town centre being very largely depopulated. To examine the changes I will make‑

A review of the public houses between the "First and Last" at Ormesby, and the "Links Hotel" at Gorleston, commencing in the north at the "First and Last".

In 1992‑ The FIRST AND LAST was a Lacons Pub. There is still a Lacon's sign at the southern end. The building looks as though it was originally a farmhouse. It has a Georgian small square portico, and a Norfolk clay pantiled roof. It has some modern flat extensions built onto its rear. A popular pub with two cosy open fires in the winter time. The building looks as though it dates from about 1700. Next door is THE GRANGE, a substantial late Georgian building with a Dutch gable at the east end, and the date 1790 thereon. Here there is a rounded Georgian portico at the south entrance, the main part of the building being square, having a western extension and pitched roof. There are some gardens and some fine old trees and a pets corner with geese, ducks, goats, chickens, and rabbits. There are some goats roaming free around the patio at this time, with no‑one supervising them at all. To the south is a field, now converted to a touring caravan park. Just into the north part of Caister, beside Second Avenue, is a small public house THE CENTURION, advertising bar food, and Websters Yorkshire bitter. This is a 1930's domestic house, which has a bungalow style extension built on, substantially increasing the size of the bars, awith signs for Foster's and Ruddles Beers. There is a large tarmacked car-parking area but no gardens. Drift Road opposite, remains an unmade gravelled road. Moving south from here we pass Reynold's Coach Garage, (see under St.Peter's Road for early history of this family and business.) A small very square single storey building is the Catholic Church St.Igatius. This is a modern brick construction rather like a "Lego" set.

This part of Caister is all modern post‑war housing of no architectural merit whatsoever. It is possible to get down Braddock Road to the beach, with it's high dunes and Marram grass. It is a very cold dull day, but there is a tractor on the beach, and fishermen in small groups, with their green umbrellas and their long rods set out with their lines into the sea, unattended. An old clinker built boat lies upturned apparently abandoned, at the top of the small sand bar that is the cliff. There is the number YH97 painted on it. No doubt many of the people housed in this area were originally moved here from the Yarmouth Rows, and certainly none of the housing dates earlier than 1930. Some 2,300 persons were initially moved from the rows prior to the second World War, at the time of the clearance in the Conge area. Much of the remaining housing dates from the 1950's and 60's, the only good thing about these being that there are pitched rooves and clay pantiles. Coming down to Caister Church; behind the church, is Church Close that leads to the east side of "THE CASTLE" freehouse, advertising Charrington's, William Younger's, Guiness, Norwich Brewery and Adnams. A brick and flint building with a fine old tiled roof, dating in it's present form from about 1750, with Georgian windows set right up to the roof, in a way that they cannot really have been original, as fine as they look.

In the porchway of Caister Church is a list of names of Rectors of the Parish, carved in oak. There is a gravestone outside the front porch with the arms of the Cobbe family ‑ Bachcroft Cobbe, aged 3, died 28th.Aug. 1659. The churches were Caister Holy Trinity, with Caister St.Edmonds, consolidated 1608, and the Rectors started with John, at the date 1289. There are stained glass windows in this porch, which must be unusual. One is in remembrance of William James Underhill, aged 21, drowned in the river Bure, on Sept.7th.1879. The Church has a square tower, and the whole church is of flint masonry with stone quoins and scarcely a brick in sight.

The "OLD HALL" advertises a leisure park, with "luxury" apartments, and holiday caravans. They do look to be new and brightly painted. The old hall is a popular restaurant. About half of the building‑ the western portion‑ is the old hall with its double pitched roof, and fairly recently replaced pantiles. The eastern half of the building, which abuts onto the road, has been recently built and added on. They are fond of having club and society nights out here and have a disco. and D.J. Moving south, beyond this is the Norfolk Police Constabulary, which appears to have been built in about 1960. Next south is the "KINGS ARMS" public house, with its mock Tudor gable, and mock Tudor chimney stack, which is a very poor imitation of anything Tudor. There is however a good pintile roof, and the timbers in the gable end look to be unusually substantial. There are the old metal window frames here, and I would date this building to about 1930. Opposite to this is the old vicarage, now called "Caister House", and owned by Dr.Rossage, who restored it, mainly with his own labours, from about 1980. There is still a cement mixer and pile of sand outside the front, so clearly he has not yet finished. There are some very old cottages in Beach Road, this is the oldest part of Caister. At the end of Beach Road there is a cafe upon the beach, and some childrens trampolines, but no public houses!

One of the cottages nearest to the beach sports the name "Railway Cottage" and up a small loke on the north side of Beach Road, is the Beach Road methodist Church, with it's pretty square and diamond patterned windows, and the date 1886. The current preacher is Mr.K.Saul. The foundation stone here was laid by B.Geenacre, July 6th.1886, on behalf of his son. Another cottage of some note is called "White Stone". This is one of a block of four cottages, none of which possess the original tiles, but the flint and brickwork is most attractive, although unfortunately one house has had the front rendered, and a very poor ugly porch added.

Down Victoria Road to Tan Lane, on the corner of Tan Lane, on the east side, lies "THE SHIP" public house. Again this was a Lacons pub. The main part of the building is of considerable antiquity, and looks like a range of old cottages, with a date of 1815 in the wall, and the initials R.G. There are some flat roofed extensions built by Lacons, perhaps in the 1920's, this is now a Whitbread pub. It has an old pantiled roof, probably the original tiles. Opposite here is Honeymoon Loke, with a similar range of old cottages, to that which now comprises the pub. An old fat cat was lying in the middle of this loke, munching vegetables. Coming from Tan Lane into the High Street, there is at the juntion with Yarmouth Road, on the west side, the "GREEN GATE", another Whitbread establishment. This time there is a slate roof, a victorian building with a southern extension that appears to date from the 1920's, the extension being called the "garden terrace". There are mock shutters on the main building with clover leaf cut‑outs.

The Grange on the corner of upper grange crescent is what may once have been two farm houses, now one, built of red brick with a pantiled roof, quite steep, and a single storey extension on its north‑east corner. The east chimney has been recently completely rebuilt. There are some nice parts to the south wall with a pattern of red and burned small red brick of a date perhaps 1700. There are however all modern 1920's metal framed windows in poor condition, and a south facing Georgian doorway.

Not exactly a pub, but the most southerly licenced premises in Caister would be the Golf Club. Formerly of course the great Yarmouth and Caister Golf Club was in Yarmouth, but was moved to accommodate the houses on North Denes Road and round Beaconsfield and Salisbury and other roads in that area.

Moving into Yarmouth, besides any hostelry within the racecourse, which is only open but a few days a year for race meetings (a most unprofitable way to be managed), the most northerly pub is the "IRON DUKE", which is on the north east corner of Jellicoe Road. This really is a classic Lacons pub of the 1930's. The bar counters here were made of teak fromAdmiral Jellicoe's flagship. There is smoke coming from the chimney, but many of the windows have been whitewashed over. I am not sure whether this building has been listed, but certainly it should be. It is quite outstanding as an example of its era. At present it is closed up. It has the Lacon's Falcons on its front entrance, and likewise on the collecting vessels of the iron drainpipes are some embossed emblems. Eventually the landlord was found around the back and told me that the pub would be open again on April 17th. for the summer.

Moving into Beatty Road, there is "THE AVENUES" public house, date 1929, again a Lacons Pub. We should certainly be grateful to Lacons for their expansionism of the late 20's and 30's, which has left us some good examples of period architecture. The initials E.L. are on the front wall, which has a mock Tudor facade, the timber of which is not of any particular quality. Nevertheless there is some pretty herringbone brickwork at the front, and the drainpipes are especially good cast ironwork, there are fruit and flowers in tiles around the tops of the windows, and along the front. The chimneys and brickwork generally are especially good, and there is a nice pintiled roof. There is currently a new landlord here who has some good ideas for special events and is keen on good food I am told, having previously been chef at the Imperial Hotel. There are four matching stained glass windows at the front with their falcons.

At the junction of North Denes and Salisbury Roads is the GOLFERS ARMS, with the date 1904. There is a nice piece of sandstone with the date on above the corner entrance. The pub has taken over the first house in Salisbury Road. The original clubhouse stood nearby. The golfing term "bogey" originated on the old Yarmouth course, so we are told.

On the corner of Arundel Road, on the south side of Salisbury Road, is the "ADMIRAL SEYMOUR", a public house of 1930's style, it is now owned by the Norwich Brewery Co. The brickwork has been rendered, and painted over. Probably it was much more attractive previously. At the west end of Salisbury road is St.Pauls Church, and St.Pauls Lodge. The church is a wooden framed building with a pantiled roof, not of any very special merit. Into Northgate Street, one of the more outstanding buildings, but which has suffered the ravages of time on its too soft sandstonework, the Newtown Methodist Church. Minister at present is Glen K.Ioder. Erected by Henry Blyth in 1907. The stonework here is notable, but in very poor condition. Almost opposite, but slightly south, at the end of Caister Road where it joins Northgate Street, is the "LORD ROBERTS". This is a building of date 1900, of brick, and with slate roof. It has a garden and bowling green. The front window glass has Lacon's falcon on it, but this has recently been smashed with a stone or brick, and is cracked, and will have to be replaced, a tragedy.

At the junction of Beaconsfield and North Denes Road is the "EARL BEACONSFIELD", advertising garden, cask ales, and pub games. Now a Whitbread establishment, formerly one of Lacons. There are some nice details in the cement-work above the windows, being thistles, and a lattice-work in the bar windows is of some note. The brickwork has been painted a sandy colour, which has spoilt it. From a small portion at the corner of the roof which has escaped the decorators brush, it is possible to see that the building was built of white brick, which would have been much better cleaned than painted, although it had become dingy by weathering.

Northgate Street has the "APOLLO TAVERN", a red brick house that must have been a private dwelling house, and a single storey extension into Northgate Street, dated 1931. There are thin tiles laid in a pattern around the windows and in the brickwork like a string course, and some substantial cast iron rainwater pipes. This was a Lacon's public house, with its Falcons and the name of the pub laid in tiles. At the corner of Ormond Road and Alderson Road, is the "LACON ARMS". There was a pub shop, being the first house into this part of Alderson Road. There are glazed bricks in the wall at the entrance corner. The building has recently been sold and is not presently being used as a pub. The "SPORTSMAN", number 86 Northgate Street, has a flint south wall, and a cast iron wind vane on its eastern face. Its origins appear to be in a 19th.C.building. There is a very tall, but cement rendered chimney stack at the north end. Also in Northgate Street on the south‑west corner of Kitchener Road, is a pub now called the "COACH AND HORSES". The ground floor is faced with glazed green tiles. There is a slate roof and the rest of the building is rendered. The roof is in two halves with a central valley.

The "KINGS ARMS" at the south‑east end of Northgate Street next to the churchyard is a tavern of very great antiquity, but which has been rebuilt by Steward and Patteson of white brick, now discoloured. Strangely, the rear face of the building is red brick. There is a slate roof, and the building appears to date from about 1870. The royal arms are displayed above the first floor centre window.

The "WHITE HORSE" Inn is in White Horse Plain. A very ancient Public house, belonging at one time to Lacons Brewery. Some of the wall has been filled in with flint. The brick in the front face has has been replaced at many different dates, the southern face is very new, with a Lacons Falcon, a statue in an alcove at first floor level in the replaced Dutch style gable end. The flint and brickwork at the rear here is certainly some of the more ancient part, which looks to date from the 17th.century, possibly earlier. The white horse's head of stone built into the north‑east corner is a particularly attractive feature on the corner of row 7. The "CRYSTAL" public house at the south‑west corner of northgate Street, leading into Fuller's Hill, is a pub of longstanding, previously called the Lord Harmer. It has unfortunately been cement rendered, but has some old Georgian windows.

On Brewery Plain is the "WRESTLERS", or at least what is left of it. The history of this pub is fully related in chapter two of this treatise. The "GALLON POT" was rebuilt after world war II had razed it to the ground. It had previously been one of the very oldest in the town. Down St.Nicholas Road, is the "TUDOR TAVERN", home of the "Tudor Pie", it proclaims. A 1930's building and a free house. The "GARIBALDI", now a discotheque, "Regional Discotheque of the year 1991", there is a nice tiled feature, a picture of Garibaldi, on the front, and some "Roman" columns supporting a covered way at the front. At one time a Lacons pub, rebuilt 1888 by J.Powell, and again rebuilt in 1957. Prior to the last war the Garibaldi had been a very substantial Victorian hotel, which acted as a sort of Y.M.C.A., and took young men only on their vacations.

The "LION", a Whitbread public house, with the stone figure of a lion above the door, is on the south‑west corner of Euston Road. Barnet's Cafe on Nelson Road was at one time a public house, and further north can be seen the "ELEPHANT AND CASTLE" freehouse, on the north‑west corner of Well Street. This is another Lacon's establishment, with a falcon above the inn sign. A square cement rendered building, architecturally of no merit. In the Elephant and Castle in the 1960's were many photographs and relics of the old Midland and Great Northern joint railway.

In Nelson Road North there is also the "PRINCE CONSORT", a Lacon's house on the south‑east corner of Middlemarket Road. This, on close inspection, although of no special merit, has some interesting features. The doorways are set up some small concrete steps. The date here is around 1906. On the corner of Nelson Road North and Regent Road is the "PRINCE REGENT", one of the earlier and more substantial buildings on Regent Road, and dating from around 1820. There are of course many licenced premises in this area, being licenced guest houses and small hotels. Formerly called the Queen's Hotel, on the south‑east corner of Regent Road, fronting Marine Parade, is the NEW BEACH HOTEL", although still an Hotel this is nowadays used more as a rather rowdy pub, especially in holiday times. The Victorian architecture here is of some merit, but it has been substantially ruined by rendering and painting the exterior. The interior has seen better days. The iron balconies remain, and the colonnading around the roof. On Apsley Road, on the corner of Crown Road at its north‑east corner, is the "COLUMBIA", well noted for its cuisine, a very popular eating place. Constructed of brick and tile, again, it has its Lacons insignia, and a remarkable carved totem pole. It advertises "Toni's Taverna, Greek dishes our speciality".

On Nelson Road Central at the South‑west corner of Crown Road, is "The CROWN" PUBLIC HOUSE. This part of Yarmouth was built in the 1830's. Midway up the south side of Crown Road is the "NORFOLK TAVERN", no 70, it stands in a terrace of houses. In Saxon road is "TIPPLER'S" freehouse. A very popular small pub, and on the corner of Albion Road at its south‑east corner, is "THE ALBION". All these pubs date from the mid 19th.century.

In the Market Place is the "MARKET PLACE TAVERN", formerly "The Growler", with its famous ghost, there is also "THE COACHMAKERS", and at the west end of Market Road, "THE FEATHERS". A very ancient pub rebuilt. Quite small, with a white brick front, but a west face of red brick. It no longer exhibits any of its ancient features (at least externally). In Northmarket Road is the "OLIVER TWIST", one of the older small pubs outside of the town wall. Built as a small block of red brick houses. "THE GREAT EASTERN" is on the corner of Albion and Nelson Road Central. Further south on Nelson Road Central is the "COLONEL H", on the corner of Rodney Road, (south‑east corner of the west half of Rodney Road). A white brick building with a nicely detailed stained glass window, and its Lacon's Falcon in the brickwork of the north wall, where there is a Georgian style portico. I would estimate this building as dating from around 1870.

Across St.Peter's Road to the south, on the corner of Victoria Road, we find the "BRICKLAYER'S ARMS", advertising Lacon's Ales in its tiles. It is now being re‑built, and I acquired some of the tiles needed for the roof of no.51 North Quay from here. At least here the brickwork has not been rendered. Currently the pub is being restored, and so‑far the work is to a good standard. The "TRAFALGAR", is another white brick building with slate roof, on the junction of Victoria Road and Duncan Road, with a boxed out front. There is a small notice saying‑ "Right of way act 1932‑ This land is private, no right of way." The ground floor is painted blue, and is peeling somewhat. In St.Peter's Road is the "Wellington Tavern", opposite to the Eastern Counties Bus Co., on the corner of Wellington Place. This appears to have been built around 1850, and until recently there had been some weighing scales outside, chained to a hook set into the wall. The remarkable aspect is that scales had been here at least since 1880. I pointed out their loss to the Land-lady, but they have not been replaced. There are attractive original bay windows here. The ground floor has been boxed out. The other public house, a freehouse in St.Peter's Road on the junction of Blackfriars Road, "SINATRA'S", was restored in c.1985, at considerable expense, but failed to be a commercial success, and was empty a long while.

King Street has always been famous for its bars. The oldest is certainly the "OLD WHITE LION", opposite the west end of St.Peter's Road. Once it was the property of the Symonds family, and had fine oak panelled walls, and dates from 1600 or somewhat earlier. South of this in King Street there are no other public houses.

Into Friars Lane is the "CLIPPER SCHOONER", a 1930's pub very similar in style to the Iron Duke, but not so remarkable. A Lacon's public house dated 1938, it is of architectural merit but the quality and detail is not so good as the Iron Duke. Since the 1960's this pub. has had a fine model of a schooner, and pictures of the famous tea clippers which deserve inspection. Also of note in the lounge bar is a substantial list of the old pubs formerly in the town.

Middlegate Street was once the home of many interesting public houses, all in the smoke room. pulled down after the war except for "ALLENS", and "THE SHIP", both of which are well preserved.

King Street to the north of St.Peter's Road, is noted today for its public houses, which are exceedingly busy at the end of the week, mainly with youngsters. passing northwards along the west side, there is "KITTYWITCHES" at no.140, previously the Lion and Lamb. Not too long ago this was converted to a disco type American style pub with lights and music and called Manhattans, but this seemed not to have been popular, and someone put a firebomb in it, and it was burned out. The "BRUNSWICK HOTEL" is of course well known and of long standing. It is popular with the young as a drinking place, but also for its Friday and Saturday night discos. The police presence at closing times is considerable. Further down on the north side there is "TARA'S BAR", "PEGGOTTY'S is next door. Beside Row 85 is DIVER'S, a Charrington's pub. a postwar rebuild, approx 1955.

On Theatre Plain is the "THEATRE TAVERN", a pub of some antiquity. Deneside has its two restaurants and Chinese takeaway, but no public houses. On the north side of King Street there are now no public houses north of Yarmouth way, but of course John Farmer's shoe shop was the site of Divers, and the Crown Hotel was at the south‑east corner of Regent Street. Now however there is "KING'S WINE BAR", with its Georgian doorway and splendid boxed out front. A building dating from around 1800, there are some nice twisted iron railings on the north side of the entrance way. Those on the south side are very poor in comparison. Prior to moving to the old vicarage, Paul Robinson had his offices above here. The WORKING MAN'S CLUB at 51 King Street, is in Robert Robins' house, the oldest building this side of King Street. This has now been extended into no. 52 where there was previously a shop, and at the back over the row (126), into the small house in Deneside that belonged to Mr.Tudman after the war, and was rented by the Watters family.

On North Quay beside the north‑west tower is the "White Swan". Here Bertram (Bernie) Fisher is publican. This pub is haunted. The "SAINT JOHN'S HEAD" is at the junction with St.Francis Way, and has a pretty brick and flint front with a parapet at the front, two oval windows either side, on the first floor, on its right hand side is the entrance to row 47, on its north wall is a mosaic coloured picture of an dusky Arabian dancer. The back, east part of the building has been completely rebuilt. Over the back door is the usual Lacon's Falcon. Opposite the top of St.Francis Way is the "TALBOT", a free‑house, with a sign on the second floor depicting a Dalmatian dog with its paw up on a beer barrell, selling a variety of beers including Adnam's, Sam Smith's, Courage, Woodfords, Greene King, Everards, Tiger, and several others. On its north side is row 44. It appears to be a Victorian Building, with slate roof. The ground floor front has been recently rebuilt. On the north‑east corner of row 48 is the "MITRE", with its corner entrance and arched doorway. A public house with a long history, but which has clearly been rebuilt in the 19th Century. In Howard Street, two buildings west of the Talbot is the "BURTON ARMS", a very modern building belonging to Inde Coope. On its south side is row 43.

On Hall Quay, is the "DUKES HEAD", this has a fine flint front, once one of many in the town, now one of very few indeed. There is a stone inset with the date 1609, and the initials R I. In comparison to many buildings in the town it has been astonishingly well maintained. Now a Whitbread Pub. A sign outside on a board says‑ "Every night all doubles‑ one pound forty". The "STAR AND GARTER" next to row 57 has a function room and live music, and often advertises local events with a hanging canvas sign, for instance at present the musical society's "Last night at the proms." In Howard Street north on the north‑west corner of row 61, a Whitbread Public House that was called the "MARINERS", closed down a while but re-opened under new ownership. It was a Lacons pub constructed of a mix of irregular brick flint and stone, but not having the advantage of time this has not yet mellowed. Next door on the north‑east corner of row 59 is Mc.COURT'S, previously called the OAKWOODS, at 76 Howard Street, this was notorious in recent years as a focus of drug takers. In recent times there has been an increase in drug abuse, particularly with heroin and hashish, and some prescription drugs such as diconal. This is still really only affecting a very small proportion of the population, and we have no incidence yet of Crack. Still, this pub was reputed to be used by the abusers. Now it is trying a new image, and advertising todays special lamb chop, with potatoes and veg. at one pound and ninety five pence. Food served until 3pm., an Ind Coope freehouse.

On South Quay there is now only one functioning Public house. This is the "GALLON CAN", a Charrington's pub., advertising "Wholesome hot and cold meals". Here the brickwork is very ancient, although the front has been "boxed out", greatly spoiling the look of the front. Once this had some fine and splendid wall irons (see row 117). These are no longer to be found. The "SCEPTRE", at the north‑west corner of Friars Lane, was for sale at the time of writing this note, and subsequently converted to flats. For much more about the Sceptre, see under Friars Lane. There is a "B" in the iron balcony over the original front door, now blocked up, which shows that the pub was rebuilt by Bullards, still the owners after the war, though it looked in fine condition in the thirties.

The other pub on South Quay, the "SOUTH STAR", has also closed down. The South Star freehouse was at 128 South Quay, this has not been a pub for some time, and is currently empty. The South Star was new built in the 60's, on the site of a mason's yard belonging to the monastry destroyed in 1525. It was once a Lacon's establishment.

The "CAMDEN" tavern is on the south‑west corner of Camden Road, a white brick 19th. century building. On the junction of Mariners Road and Blackfriars Road, Caroline Ann Wright is licenced to sell beers and spirits at the "BLACKFRIARS TAVERN", a Lacon's pub, quite small and triangular in shape. A 1930's building, there is a picture of two friars in tiles above the door on the corner. The VICTORIA GARDENS" public house, is at the junction of Malakoff Road on it's south‑west corner, where it joins Blackfriars Road. A nineteenth century building, with three pitched rooves, tiled. The gardens themselves have long since been built upon. The "RECRUITING SARGEANT" is just inside Alma Gate, at the junction of Trinity Place and Alma Road, on the north‑east corner of Trinity Place. A freehouse with an old pantiled roof. An 18th century building, it has Georgian windows with very fine glazing bars, typical of about 1750. In Havelock Road is the "RED HERRING". This free‑house, proprietor Richard Bould, has a sign of a drifter with net and below, seven herring hanging on a spit, one of which is red. A 19th century building on the junction with Malakoff Road, on the north‑east corner of the crossroads. The "CREMORNE" is a free‑house, with live music, darts and pool, some very unsightly modern plastic windows have been substituted here to no good effect. Now George Edward Morgan is the proprietor. Previously it was in the care of Edward and Moreen Holt.

On Marine Parade is the "MARINE", at the south‑east corner of Portland Place, a Lacons P.H., the north wall is of considerable antiquity. The Marine was named the "Admiral Onslow" in 1799, after the Battle of Camperdown in 1797, when 8 captured Dutch men‑of‑war were brought into the Yarmouth. It has been boxed-out with a bay-windowed front. There is a nice old tiled roof.

Next door is Lacon's 1845 "BARKING SMACK", with a square‑fronted parapet and bay window. The Marine also has its Lacon's Falcon in the re‑fronted part. George Farquhar Garden is the landlord. "Sunday lunchtime singalong" is advertised outside the Marine. "Karaoke" is all the rage now. This is the Japanese craze for singing to the backing tracks of roads. popular records. The Barking Smack appears closed for the winter. The Barking Smack was in 1845, known as "Jacob's Well". This house was used by the "bumboat women" who victualled the fleet from the old jetty.

"CHEERS", on the south‑east corner of Lancaster Rd., qualifies as another public house, At the back the is an old engraved glass saloon bar window.

In York Road at its junction with St.Georges Road, is "FLINTS" freehouse, advertising Websters Yorkshire Bitter. This appears to have 1920's brickwork, with some inlaid tiles. "ST.GEORGES TAVERN" is at 56 St.Georges Road, a small public house built of white brick, Cyril De Mar, and B.Greenwood, are proprietors. At the back of Cheers Pub I saw a man with a rucksack raiding the rubbish for clothing, and a bearded fellow, one of the town's better known alcoholics was striding along the sea-front at a brisk pace. "RAM‑JAMS" is a bar at the west end of the Brittania Pier, only open in the summer season.

The "MALAKOFF TOWER", Whitbread, is at the north‑west corner of the cross‑roads between Nelson Road Central and Lancaster Road. This pub had French prints of the Crimean War, together with rifles and swords used in that campaign.

On Southgates Road there is an empty deserted Lacons Tavern with the name painted out. (at no.11 Southgates Road) Complete renovation of the "ALBERT" was just being finshed (Feb 1992), and was very smart, even with its plastic windows.

Further south is the "FISHERMANS ARMS", licencee M.C.Jupp, offering traditional ale, hot and cold food, prepared daily, and shower facilities. A 19th.century building, recently improved. On the old fishwharf, is the "DOLPHIN", now closed up.

Just to the south‑east of the Nelson memorial, is the "NELSON", well known for its "Bird Cage" discotheque. Very popular I understand, it is reputed to be the cause of many divorces. A 20th.C. building, with mock Tudor first floor. This is the south‑most public house on the Yarmouth side of the river. The date on the Greenacre School‑ 1929, probably dates this pub. and certainly the barrack estate.

Over the Haven Bridge, with its roadway of iroko wood blocks and opened by the Prince of Wales on 21st.October 1930, when A.H.Beevor was Mayor, (Beevor had a baker's shop - see Howard St.North) is firstly the "HAVEN BRIDGE" Freehouse. A Victorian building with boxed‑out front, tiles set over the windows, the boxed out front has the date 1931, and next, the "EAST SUFFOLK TAVERN", with a mansard slate roof, and a boxed out front with bay window called "Cropper's Bar", and a picture of a footballer with green and yellow shirt‑ the colours of Norwich City Football Club. This pub. is currently for lease, although the current lessee (Feb.92) is Ian McKim. The "ROCKET" is at the south‑east corner of Mill Road. (Whitbread) The white brick was cleaned in 1987, but this did not much improve its looks. The brightly coloured picture of the "Rocket" steam engine is an attractive feature.

In Station Road, on the corner of Wolseley Road, is the "RISING FLAME", this with a nicely painted picture of an oil platform and gas flare. A 19th.century P.H., advertising beer garden, pool and darts. A public house dated 1907 on the corner of Gordon an Stafford Roads has been converted to flats, unsold in the current recession.

The "ANSON ARMS" on Southtown road, on the north‑east corner of Gordon Road, is quite a large establishment, with live music on a sunday night. The "RUMBOLD ARMS" is an 18th. century establishment, renovated in about 1983, and has a carvery, garden and bowling green, and is situated midway on Southtown Road, on the west side.

On Beccles Road is the "WHEELWRIGHTS", dated 1928, or at least that is the date of the boxed-out front. The main building itself dates considerably earlier. The premises are owned by Whitbread Brewery. At the junction of Beccles Road and Church Road is the "WHITE HORSE".

On Beccles Road Bradwell is "THE ARCHES", a free‑house, comprised of two prefabricated concrete buildings joined together and converted into a public house that is quite successful and particularly a favourite of the youngsters. The landlord is Stephen Crosby, who is a near scratch golfer and snooker player, who generally is not too keen on practicing. "THE SUN" is a public house at the south‑east corner of Sun Lane, the outbuildings of which are considerably older than the main building, which has been much spoiled by the addition of a box porch. Now owned by the Chef and Brewer organisation, there is a pintiled roof and single dormer, and very plain square rear extension.

"YE OLDE FERRY BOAT INN" has a sign depicting the old foot ferry that has run from the foot of the steps here for centuries. The ferry boat inn was built by S.P.and F.and Co., in 1890. A murder took place here in 1985. Despite the closure of the Birds Eye factory in the mid 80's, the ferry is still operating. The "THREE TUNS" is a Whitbread tavern on the corner of Garnham and High Roads. A late 19th.century building. The "SHORT BLUE" is a freehouse recently owned by Eddie Lytton, proprietors now Rodney Walter Scott and Kevin Roy Duffield. An 18th.C.building, the first floor window sills look in need of attention, but the public house itself has been well renovated. The "DUKES HEAD" is at the south‑east corner of Duke Street, and the "FEATHERS" is Gorleston's oldest public house, on the north‑west corner of Baker Street. In Dock Tavern Lane is a free‑house, the "DOCK TAVERN", previously Lacons Brewery premises, a 19th century building with a more recent porch. There is a beer-garden and pets corner at the rear.

On the junction of Pier Plain and Back Pier Plain is a narrow building, the "NEW ENTERTAINER". Greene King fine ales, it has a ground glass engraved window with its name and another window with the Lacons Falcon. Both of these are of curved glass. "PEGOTTY'S", was recently the "SHIP", and refurbished, but still has its old engraved glass window saying "The Ship". It stands on the corner of Englands lane and Pier Plain. Refurbishment here has been quite lavish. A fat middle-aged lady is exercising her dog here, with few teeth showing (the lady). The "PIER HOTEL" has a date, 1893 in the brickwork, and 1897 on the door. The Pier Hotel was formerly the Anchor of Hope.

The "KING WILLIAM IV", proprietor K.R.Salmon, has a notice at its right hand side saying "Right of way act 1932. This land is private, no right of way". A 1930's building. The "BELLE VIEW" whitbread tavern, with tiled ground floor front, a 19th century building. Proprietors Frances Stephanie Duke and Allan David Burrell, is next to Neptunes Palace amusements, and the old lighthouse. Bells Road, noted for its small shops, has an off‑licence, the "Odd Bottle" at no.49, but no public houses. One Lacon's pub was recently demolished to make way for a new housing scheme. On Cliff Hill, are the "ODDFELLOWS ARMS", the "WHITE LION", and the "CLIFF HOTEL".

Marine Parade has the "LINKS HOTEL", popular with hospital staff. Here in the '60's was a scale replica of Buckingham Palace. It should be realised that the golf links was prior to the first world war, occupying the area here from Park Road to Links Road and the links railway halt, and the club house at one time was in the building at the north‑east corner of Warren Road that has for some years now been used as holiday flats.

The "STATION HOTEL" is opposite the old station site where now the new road is being carved out. The old coach house on the right hand side still says "Good Stabling, Motors, carriages, bicycles carefully stored". Selling Ruddles county beers, proprietor E.A.Catchpole.

The "MIDDLETON ARMS" is at the end of Suffield Road, on its north‑west corner, presently empty. The "MAGDALEN ARMS" is at the junction of Magdalen Way and Crab Lane, to the south‑east of that junction, is a former Lacon's establishment of date 1934 ‑ the last Lacon's Pub. ever built. The "KEVIL ARMS" is a Whitbread pub on the corner of Church Road and Cross Road. A Lacon's pub with the "L" cast into the rainwater heads, this one dated 1926. The "ALBION" is on the south side of Lowestoft Road, as is the "TRAMWAYS", which is next south from the public library which was built upon the site of the tram sheds at the southern terminus of the trams. On the west bank of the Bure, at the north‑west corner of the previous bridge over the Bure is the "SUSPENSION BRIDGE" tavern.

In Cobholm, at the junction of Mill Road and Lady Haven Road, is the "LADY HAVEN" public house, and next door, to the south, is another Lacon's establishment with boxed out front, the "COBHOLM TAVERN". Also in Cobholm, on High Mill Road, is the "WINDMILL"

In all there are 118 public houses on this list.