The Scores Walk

The Scores are a series of narrow lanes and steep pathways running from Lowestoft High Street to the site of the town's former beach village. They formed a vital link between the town, which was built on a cliff, and the village, which had developed as a result of the fishing industry. With herring one of the most profitable exports, many workers came to live on the High Street and would have used the scores to go and work in the beach village processing fish. The Scores were once full of the sights, sounds (and smells!) of the port's booming fishing industry and form a major part of Lowestoft's architectural heritage.

Today, running downhill from The High Street, they are still used as walkways and roads, typically ending on Whapload Road (bottom photo below). Whapload Road is flanked by modern industrial buildings including the large Birds Eye factory - a contrast to the old beach village in terms of the manner in which the fishing industry is and was carried out. In recent times, Waveney Valley Athletic Club has held a 'Scores Race'; a demanding running competition up and down them with a senior and a junior race. The Name The word 'score' can mean a notch, scratch, or incision; a stroke or line. Also, there is an Anglo-Saxon word 'scoren' which means precipitous. In several cases, The Scores were named after people, taverns or business and some of their names have changed throughout history