The History of True's Yard

True's Yard is virtually all that remains of King's Lynn's old fishing community, the North End

Emptying the fishing net
Emptying the fishing net aboard the Merlin
Tom Boots Benefer Samphire Cart
Tom 'Boots' Benefer and his Samphire Cart

The Mangle

The mangle was used to remove excess water from clothes after washing; turning the handle was often a chore given to children.  Located in the yard it was shared between all the families who lived there. 

The Smokehouse

The last surviving smokehouse in the North End; herring were smoked here from the 1880s or earlier.  This particular smokehouse and adjacent shop on St Anne’s Street were owned by Mr Thomas Westwood, a former fisherman of North Street.  He married Mary Anne Benefer in 1869 in St Nicholas’ Chapel and raised five daughters and two sons.  The daughters would have likely been employed in the shop and smokehouse until they married or found employment elsewhere.

The Samphire Cart

Donated by the Benefer family, it has been used by five generations to hawk samphire.  Samphire is an edible sea plant, known as the poor man’s asparagus.

The Activity

Built in 1904 by the Hornigold brothers (two fishermen) she is a typical Lynn half-decker shrimp and shell fishing smack.  The Activity was used to harvest shrimps in the summer months, whilst at other times of the year she could be used to gather cockles and mussels.  The Lynn fishermen are referred to as ‘inshore fishermen’; they do not go to deep sea.

The Activity has a shallow draught in order for it to navigate the largely shallow waters of the Wash at low tide.

The sea and ships contributed so much to the town in the past.  Today, the rich merchant’s houses in the riverside streets contrast with the tiny cottages of the fisherfolk at True’s Yard.

The Smithy

This building was once the North End blacksmith’s shop, in the days when nothing was thrown away but repaired whenever possible.  This is the main Museum space, displaying more artefacts kindly donated by North End families.

Don’t forget to visit our tearoom and gift shop.  The shop was once Southgates' shop and family home.

Duggie Carter
Duggie Carter
dock company wartime fire brigade
Members of King's Lynn dock company wartime fire brigade, circa 1914

Admission Prices

Adults £5.00

Concessions: (Over 60's, Blue Light, Students) £4.00

Children £2.00 (under 5′s go free)

Family (2 adults + 2 children) £8.00

Registered Carers: Free

Research Centre: Free

We welcome all assistance dogs, water is available on request

Opening Hours

Tuesday - Saturday: 10am-4pm
Last admission 3:30pm

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