Revealing the Past of the Common Staithe
For centuries King's Lynn was one of the most important ports in England. Until now, two historic sites have represented that part of our history - the Custom House on the Purfleet and the Hanseatic warehouse on the South Quay. Now at last, thanks to Historic England's research, a third and equally important site can join the party.
That site is the Common Staithe, which lies between the Tuesday Market Place and the river. If you've ever wondered what a staithe is, it's a Norfolk word for a quay.
Coming soon - free talk by architectural historian Jonathan Kewley
Bustling quay on the River Ouse
Today it's a quiet spot. Four hundred years ago it would have been full of merchants and sailors, paying customs, loading and unloading goods, and heading towards an inn after days at sea.
It was built in a U-shape which you can still see. The bottom of the U is the Tuesday Market Place with an inn and customs house, two sides of warehouses, and the fourth side open to the river. Parts of the old quay and warehouses still survive.
Victorian swimming baths
The Common Staithe is also the site of King's Lynn's long-closed Victorian swimming baths, one of the earliest surviving examples in the country.
King's Lynn port and harbour authority
It's not just an historic site, though. The main building on the Common Staithe, the Pilot Office, remains the premises of a unique institution, the King's Lynn Conservancy Board, which keeps the river safely open to shipping - their buoys can often be seen on the quay.
More to the story
There's lots more to the story - including a good example of Georgian recycling, some medieval arches which aren't where they should be, a listed building which would fit in the back of a car, and a very unusual place for a wedding.
How can I find out more?
You can download the full Research Report from our website.
