Score

A good deal has been written about the scores over the years - not all of it accurate. What follows here is an account of these footways, working from north to south, and looking at them in both a topographical and historical context. The main sources used for the study are a Manor Roll of 1618 (which gives a complete account of landholding in the parish, together with location and tenancy stated) and a series of Manor Court minute books dating from 1582-85 and 1616-1756.

Once known as Gallows Score, with manorial documentation of c. 1720 relating to property ownership and transfer in this location showing both terms in use - which would seem to suggest that this was the time of change from one to the other. It has been postulated that the name perhaps relates to a Mr. Gallow, who lived nearby - but no one of that name has ever been found as a resident in the manorial records and an earlier association with a gibbet-pole (rather than the apparatus of execution itself) is feasible. 

Northernmost of the scores and originally known as Gunton Score probably because of its proximity to the boundary with that parish. It seems to have become “The Ravine” at some point during the latter part of the 19th century - perhaps coinciding with the creation of Belle Vue Park, which opened in 1874 on having been created as a public amenity from part of the old North Common. 

Read David Butcher's FULL Scores article

See also Lost End of High St

Welcome to the Scores Trail. This booklet has been designed to help you understand a little more of Lowestoft history and of the significance of these ancient pathways leading down to the sea. You can find your way around the trial by reading the map in the attached Ledford leaflet or by following the red herring way markers. Lowestoft was originally built on top of the cliffs overlooking the North Sea. The schools that run down these clips were ways to access from the high ground to the beach area. Added: 23 September, 2023

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. Added: 23 September, 2023

High Street - Ness Point Circular Walk 1 Distance: 1.4k Difficulty: Easy Terrain: Pavements, concrete Obstacles: Steepish road descent/ascent (Herring Fishery Score - no footpath); galvanised steps (Hamilton Road); ramp (Hamilton Road; crossing busy roads The walk starts at the entrance to Lowestoft's Historic High Street. Cross at the Pelican Crossing, then turn right down Herring Fishery Score (link to article) with the Wheatsheaf pub on your left. The pub's closed for the duration of the CV pandemic. Added: 23 September, 2023

Although not new this needs to be monitored and also brought to the attention of the groups interested in maintenance of the Scores    

Named after the Wilde family who lived in the Flint House from 1588 to the 1740's when John Wilde left in trust, money for the building of a schoolhouse for the free education of boys from fishing families. £40 per year was left for maintenance and the salary of a "virtuous and learned schoolmaster who shall teach 40 boys to read, and write, and to cast accounts: and also teach them the Latin tongue".
Added: 22 September, 2023