Great Yarmouth Old Merchant's House and Row Houses

Step into Great Yarmouth’s mercantile past at the Old Merchant’s House and Row Houses, rare survivors of 17th-century maritime prosperity.

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Old Merchant's House

The Old Merchant's House and adjacent Row 111 House in Great Yarmouth are rare surviving examples of early 17th-century merchant residences. Once homes to prosperous traders who watched their ships from these quayside houses, they reveal layers of history through their preserved interiors, including flamboyant plasterwork ceilings and fine oak panelling. Over centuries, these houses evolved from grand homes to subdivided tenements, reflecting the changing fortunes of the town’s maritime trade. Today, they offer a vivid glimpse into Great Yarmouth’s unique architectural heritage and mercantile past.

A brief summary to Old Merchant's House

S Quay, Great Yarmouth, NR30 2RG, GB
Visit website
Duration: 1 to 2.5 hours
Mid ranged
Outdoor
Mobile reception: 4 out of 5

Local tips

Explore the Old Merchant’s House to see its original 17th-century plasterwork ceilings and oak panelling, remarkable for their preservation.
Visit Row 111 House to experience how the house appeared just before WWII bombing, with interiors frozen in time.
Don’t miss the nearby Greyfriars’ Cloisters, where medieval friary remains and wall paintings add historical depth.
Join a guided tour on selected days to gain deeper insights into the lives of Great Yarmouth’s merchants and port workers.

Getting There

Bus

Take the local bus services from Great Yarmouth town centre to South Quay, with a journey time of approximately 10-15 minutes. Services run frequently during the day but check schedules for weekends and holidays. A single ticket costs around £2-£3.
Train and Walk

Arrive at Great Yarmouth railway station, then walk approximately 20 minutes along the town centre streets to South Quay, where the Old Merchant’s House is located. The walk is mostly flat and accessible.
Car

Drive to Great Yarmouth and use public car parks near the town centre. From there, it is a 10-15 minute walk to South Quay. Parking fees typically range from £3 to £8 depending on duration and location.

Old Merchant's House location weather suitability

Any Weather
Rain / Wet Weather
Clear Skies
Mild Temperatures

Discover more about Old Merchant's House

Historic Merchant Residences on the Quay

The Old Merchant's House and Row 111 House stand as exceptional survivors of Great Yarmouth’s early 17th-century boom, when wealthy merchants built grand homes close to the bustling harbour. Positioned just back from South Quay, these houses allowed their owners to keep a watchful eye on their ships and goods. The Old Merchant’s House is especially notable for its remarkable early 17th-century plasterwork ceilings and fine oak panelling, symbols of the prosperity and status of its inhabitants. Despite wartime damage and later alterations, much of the original 17th-century structure remains intact, preserving the character of this mercantile era.

Evolution Through Centuries of Change

As fashions and fortunes shifted in the late 17th and 18th centuries, both houses underwent renovations: mullion windows gave way to sash windows, panelling was painted, and buffet cupboards were installed to display tea-drinking paraphernalia, reflecting the genteel lifestyle of their occupants. By the 19th century, the status of these row houses declined as wealthier residents moved to suburban homes. The Old Merchant’s House was subdivided into cottages, rented out to multiple tenants, mirroring the broader social changes in Great Yarmouth’s harbour community.

The Rows and Their Social Fabric

The Old Merchant’s House and Row 111 House are part of the historic network of ‘Rows’ — narrow alleyways lined with tightly packed houses where port workers and merchants lived. While many row houses were lost to wartime bombing and post-war redevelopment, these two survived, offering a rare window into the daily lives of Great Yarmouth’s maritime population. Salvaged fixtures and fittings from across the Rows, including ornate cupboards, door furniture, and fire surrounds, are now preserved by English Heritage, showcasing craftsmanship spanning from the 15th to 19th centuries.

Greyfriars' Cloisters: A Medieval Neighbor

Close by lie the remains of Greyfriars’ Cloisters, the vestiges of a 13th-century Franciscan friary later converted into row dwellings. Visitors can glimpse early 14th-century wall paintings and architectural fragments, adding a spiritual and medieval dimension to the area’s rich historical tapestry, complementing the maritime and mercantile stories embodied by the Row Houses.

Preservation and Public Access

Rescued from demolition and restored in the 1950s, the Old Merchant’s House and Row 111 House are now open to the public under English Heritage’s care. They stand as rare architectural treasures in Great Yarmouth, preserving the town’s unique heritage and offering visitors an immersive experience into the lives of early modern merchants and working-class residents alike. The houses’ interiors, with their evolving styles and preserved details, tell stories of prosperity, decline, and resilience.

Architectural and Cultural Significance

These houses exemplify the distinctive architectural style of Great Yarmouth’s Rows, combining practical urban living with the aspirations of a thriving port town. The Old Merchant’s House, in particular, with its decorative plaster ceilings and oak panelling, reflects the wealth generated by the herring fishery and maritime trade that once made Great Yarmouth one of England’s richest towns. Together with Greyfriars’ Cloisters, the site forms a cultural landmark that connects the town’s medieval origins with its mercantile golden age and beyond.

Iconic landmarks you can’t miss

War Memorial

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Pudding tower

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Explore Pudding Tower, a medieval defensive relic in Great Yarmouth, steeped in history and local lore from the town’s fortified past.

Potter Heigham bridge

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Barton House Railway

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Discover the magic of miniature railways at Barton House Railway, a charming museum and attraction in Wroxham, Norwich, perfect for families and railway enthusiasts.

Hoveton Hall Estate

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Experience the beauty and tranquility of Hoveton Hall Estate, a serene tourist attraction in Norfolk featuring exquisite gardens and rich history.

Wroxham Bridge

24.6 km

Historic 17th-century bridge and vibrant boating hub connecting Wroxham and Hoveton on the scenic Norfolk Broads.

Broads Tours

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Discover the serene beauty of the Norfolk Broads with Broads Tours – your gateway to unforgettable aquatic adventures.

Faircraft Loynes

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Discover the beauty of the Broads with Faircraft Loynes, your premier boat tour agency and rental service in Wroxham, offering unforgettable waterway experiences.

Wroxham Miniature Worlds

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Explore the enchanting world of Wroxham Miniature Worlds, where intricate models and engaging exhibits create a magical experience for visitors of all ages.

Wroxham Barns

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Experience the charm of Wroxham Barns, where shopping, dining, and family fun come together in the heart of Norfolk's beautiful countryside.

East Ruston Old Vicarage Garden

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Explore the breathtaking East Ruston Old Vicarage Garden, a hidden gem in Norfolk, filled with stunning flora, serene landscapes, and tranquil charm.

Whitlingham Country Park

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Happisburgh Owls

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Explore the fascinating world of owls at Happisburgh Owls, a unique tourist attraction on the stunning Norfolk coast, perfect for families and wildlife lovers.

Happisburgh Lighthouse

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Discover Happisburgh Lighthouse, a historic maritime beacon offering breathtaking views and a glimpse into Norfolk's coastal heritage.

Unmissable attractions to see

Great Yarmouth Row Houses

0.1 km

Step into Great Yarmouth’s unique medieval Rows, where early 17th-century merchant homes reveal centuries of maritime history and urban life.

The Tolhouse

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Explore Great Yarmouth’s 12th-century Tolhouse Gaol, a medieval prison and courtroom turned immersive museum of crime and punishment.

English Heritage - Greyfriars Cloisters

0.2 km

Discover Great Yarmouth’s unique medieval Rows and the haunting ruins of the 13th-century Greyfriars Cloisters, a window into centuries of coastal history.

National Trust - Elizabethan House Museum

0.2 km

Step back into Tudor and Victorian Great Yarmouth at this immersive 16th-century merchant’s house with rich history and family-friendly fun.

National Trust - Elizabethan House Museum

The South East Tower

0.3 km

Stay in Great Yarmouth’s medieval South East Tower—an iconic historic fortress turned unique holiday retreat with original features and sea views.

Time and Tide Museum of Great Yarmouth Life

0.3 km

Explore Great Yarmouth’s maritime heritage in a beautifully restored Victorian herring curing works, with immersive exhibits and interactive experiences.

Time and Tide Museum of Great Yarmouth Life

St George's Park

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Medieval Town Wall

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Walk the mile-long remains of one of England’s longest medieval town walls, where flint towers and ancient defences tell the story of a powerful fishing port.

Medieval Town Wall Open Space

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Market Gates Shopping Centre (Great Yarmouth)

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A practical indoor shopping centre in Great Yarmouth’s town heart, blending chain stores and local shops for everyday needs.

Market Gates Shopping Centre (Great Yarmouth)

Hippodrome Circus

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Jurassic Journey

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Winter Gardens

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The Works

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Nightclubs & after hour spots

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Mavvy’s

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Fallen Angels

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Moonlight Cabaret & Karaoke

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The Bermuda Club

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Loft Nightclub

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Popworld - Norwich

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Mojo's

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Fluke

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Mantra

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Sugar & Spice - Strip Club and Lap Dancing Norwich

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Sole Bay Bowls Club

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St Edmund's Hall

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Southwold Cricket Club

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Southwold Reydon & District Constitutional Club

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Your Ultimate Free Travel Guide

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Great Yarmouth Old Merchant's House and Row Houses

A brief summary to Old Merchant's House

Local tips

For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you

Getting There

Bus

Train and Walk

Car

Old Merchant's House location weather suitability

Unlock the Best of Old Merchant's House

Buy tickets

Book tours with entry

Book tours without entry

Discover more about Old Merchant's House

Historic Merchant Residences on the Quay

Evolution Through Centuries of Change

The Rows and Their Social Fabric

Greyfriars' Cloisters: A Medieval Neighbor

Preservation and Public Access

Architectural and Cultural Significance

Iconic landmarks you can’t miss

War Memorial

Pudding tower

Potter Heigham bridge

TourNorfolk

Barton House Railway

Hoveton Hall Estate

Wroxham Bridge

Broads Tours

Faircraft Loynes

Wroxham Miniature Worlds

Wroxham Barns

East Ruston Old Vicarage Garden

Whitlingham Country Park

Happisburgh Owls

Happisburgh Lighthouse

Unmissable attractions to see

Great Yarmouth Row Houses

The Tolhouse

English Heritage - Greyfriars Cloisters

National Trust - Elizabethan House Museum

The South East Tower

Time and Tide Museum of Great Yarmouth Life

St George's Park

Medieval Town Wall

Medieval Town Wall Open Space

Market Gates Shopping Centre (Great Yarmouth)

Hippodrome Circus

Jurassic Journey

SEA LIFE Great Yarmouth

About Great Yarmouth

Winter Gardens

Essential places to dine

Quayside Plaza

Zaks Yankee Traveller

The Courtyard Italian Restaurante

Alexandra Restaurant

HMS Hinchinbrook great Yarmouth

Charlie's Tapas Restaurant

The Arches

Ocean Spray

Othello

Metropole Restaurant

JAN Restaurant

Gilfreds Restaurant

Chico's Restaurant

Charcoal Grill

Strollers Restaurant

Markets, malls and hidden boutiques

Ferailles Shop - (Knot Just A Furniture Shop!) - Great Yarmouth

Mermaid Quay

Grasshopper

R&D Crafts

Cauldron37

Craftmania

Martyns Walk Round Store

Steve's 'n' Mix

Branded Collectibles

Handmade GIFTS AND CRAFTS From Bali

Shelly's Emporium