Lowestoft
This characterful, east coast, seaside town is a
popular holiday resort and important fishing port.
The old fishing harbour is a sad reflection
of greater days when hundreds of trawlers went out
to net herring in the channel. It is now a haven for
yachts, pleasure boats and cruisers.
Lowestoft Harbour © Travel About
Britain
The old town and harbour to the north have a long and rich maritime heritage. The 52ft (16m) lighthouse was built by Trinity House in 1874, on the site of the first ever recorded lighthouse in Britain. Open to the public on certain days. A lifeboat station was also founded here in 1801, some 20 years before the RNLI came into being.
A feature of the old town are its narrow alleyways (known as The Scores), which descend steeply from the High Street down to the shore, where the old fish-houses for curing herrings once stood - one or two of which still survive today. If you are a fish gastronome, the local fishmongers are second to none and a number of excellent seafood restaurants can be found in the old quarter.
The town was an important fishing center from the 14th to 19th century. However, the current fleet is just a shadow of its former glory and now only a few trawlers bring their catch to be traded in the busy fish markets. The port has a dry dock and shipyard, which is mainly frequented by grain and timber ships. The outer harbour, once busy with fishing boats, is the home to the Lowestoft yacht club. Lowestoft Ness, just to the north of the harbour, is the UK's most easterly point.
Lowestoft Beach and Seafront © Travel
About Britain
To the south of the picturesque fishing quarter
and harbour lies South Town, a modern seaside resort
with wide sandy beaches, backed by hotels and all the
usual holiday facilities and attractions. A long esplanade
runs behind the beach to Claremont Pier. The beaches
south of
here are
considered to some of
the best in Europe.
The local area has a range of quality attractions from museums, wildlife parks and theme parks to family entertainment at the Marina Theatre. Traditional seaside fun includes, donkey rides, amusements, play parks, seafront gardens and the modern musical Royal Plain Fountains on Royal Terrace. Sparrow's Nest park (below the lighthouse) has a bowling green, boating lake, three museums and a miniature steam railway. Nearby Belle Vue Park is host to a monument erected by the Imperial War Graves Commission to the men of the R Patrol Service who have 'no grave but the sea'.
Royal Terrace © Travel
About Britain
Lowestoft is an excellent gateway for touring this part of Suffolk. It is loved for its attractive curving coastline, with award-winning golden sandy beaches, safe bathing and pleasant coastal walks. Lowestoft is also close to the Broads National Park, with Oulton Broad being located just two miles west of the town .
The composer Benjamin Britten (1913-76) one of Lowestoft's most famous sons, was born here in 1913, and also the poet and dramatist Thomas Nashe (1567-1601).
Places of Interest to Visit in Lowestoft
Lowestoft Maritime Museum
A small local and national maritime history museum with exhibits covering different aspects of trawling, drift net fishing and boat-building. A large collection of ship models includes local sailing drifters and herring luggers. Also, historical photographs, paintings, naval documents and uniforms.
Opening times: daily
10am to 5pm - Small Admission
Charge
Location: Whapload Rd, Lowestoft NR32 1UL
Tel: 01502 561963
Website: lowestoftmaritimemuseum.co.uk
Oulton Broad
One of the finest stretches of inland water in the country. The wide waterway is a popular water sports centre with amenities for boating, canoeing, sailing and rowing. Boats are available for hire and there are trips along the River Waveney.
Oulton Broad is located just two miles west of Lowestoft town.
Map of Lowestoft
East of England
