The Fishermen's Hospital Almshouse Great Yarmouth

The historic Oval Plaques, on the right and left of the main gate, are an interesting read on the rules for the beneficiaries as well as the donations made to maintain this low-cost accommodation. What you see in the courtyard today is, in fact, almost exactly as it looked over 300 years ago. The 20 doors led to 20 individual cottages at that time. The door would open into one room on the ground floor with a large fireplace for cooking and heating and either a spiral staircase or a ladder leading up to an attic room which probably had hammocks hanging from the eaves for sleeping. There was a water pump and earth closet privies in the yard. This might seem uncomfortable to most; however, compared to what the fishermen had been used to, the hospital was luxury to them. The bench beneath the plaque is a reproduction of the original, which was on the opposite side, and this is shown in an old painting, a copy of which is on show in number 8. The statue of Charity in the middle of the yard is the first and only freestanding statue in the town. The cupola above is home to Saint Peter, Patron Saint of Fishermen, he is made of wood. The coal houses through the archway are used as storage today.

Timings & Tours

Friday 06 September:

1000-1600. Talk: 11:00 and 14:00

Saturday 07 September:

1000-1600. Talk: 1100 & 1400

Sunday 08 September:

1000-1600. Talk: 1100 & 1400

Friday 13 September:

1000-1600. Talk: 1100 & 1400

Saturday 14 September:

1000-1600. Talk: 1100 & 1400

Sunday 15 September:

1000-1600. Talk: 1100 & 1400

Location & directions

No 8, Fishermen's Cottage, Church Plain, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR30 1ND

Directions:

The Fishermen’s Hosptial, Church Plain, Great Yarmouth. NR30 1ND. Situated at the north end of the marketplace, in the vicinity of St. Nicholas Minster Church from which the Fishermen’s Hospital separated by a main road, Fuller’s Hill and Priory Plain. There is no parking, the building is situated in a pedestrian area.

Contact on day:

Joanne Smithson

Telephone number:

+447484844364

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking not required

Accessibility details

Pushchair/pram and wheelchair access outside only

Additional information

Est. tour duration:

0 hour(s) 20 minute(s)

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