Lost Streets of Hull – Part two

In part one we left off with Lyle Street, which is now Mytongate. In this second part we explore more of Hull's lost streets.

Milk Street

In existence during the early years of Hull's being established, according to Charles Frost's 14th century plan of Hull Milk Street ran just beyond the town walls. How it acquired the name Milk Street is uncertain. The most plausible suggestion is like that of London's Milk Street, it was here that Hull's inhabitants purchased their milk. In subsequent centuries the area just beyond the walls and Milk Street was the location of Hull's 'Beast' or 'Cattle Market', further implying that it may have been here that milk was indeed purchased. If you follow the line of Milk Street today it would be located somewhere between Dock Street and roughly the edge of the Princes Dock, running north to Whitefriargate, then know as Aldgate.

Old Kirk Lane/Posterngate

Before the town walls were constructed from the 1330s, Posterngate was known as Old Kirk Lane Postern means a back gate or entrance. At that time Hull's main gates were North Gate, Whitefriargate, Mytongate and Hessle Gate. Sorties, secret escapes and daring attacks were often carried out from postern's, typically located in a castles walls but also present in urban defences, like town walls. Hull's Postern was no doubt placed for the exact same reason. We do not know for certain whether the postern was an original feature or added at a later point which eventually lead to the renaming of Old Kirk Lane.

Old Beverley Street

Image walking from the Marina along Fish Street, King Street, Trinity House Lane, and the Land of Green Ginger for a pint in Burlington Tavern (perhaps stopping off at Bonny Boat and The George along with way) but none of those streets are known by todays names. In the 14th century if you lived in Hull this stretch was simply know as Old Beverley Street and perhaps for a couple of centuries. Fish Street was in use by the 17th century. It was here that Hull's fish market was held. King Street was developed during the reign of George III. Trinity House Lane was in use by the mid-18th century suggesting Old Beverley Street had ceased to exist in name and size by perhaps at least by the 17th century, more so if The Land of Green Ginger had acquired its name perhaps as early as the 15th or 16th century.

Old Beverley Street from Charles Frost's 14th century plan of Hull

Patrick Ground Lane

The name may have gone but its route is still in existence. Taking its name from Patrick, a tanner who had a tan-yard in the vicinity it followed the line of old Hessle Road, now the A63. Its length ran from junction with Waverley Street and Pinfold Lane to around a quarter of mile west of Coltman Street. By 1834 it was known as Hessle Road.

Patrick Ground Lane today is now the A63/Hessle Road - Google Maps 2024

Pest-house Lane

In the 19th century Pest-house Lane went by the more delightful name, Park Street. Park Street was described as tastefully laid out with elegant houses. However, before this it was rather less delightful. This once a rural lane acquired several names due to its reputation. One of those names was Cuttthroat Lane! At night it was said women should not venture its length unescorted.

Smeaton Street

Smeaton Street ran from Silvester Street to Saville Street. The street was laid out in in 1829 and was named in honour of Admiral Medley of Little Smeaton (or so they say!). It is reputed the street was to be called Sneaton Street, presumably after Sneaton near Whitby but an error was made. It was too late to alter its name and it remained as Smeaton Street.

The route of what is once Smeaton Street - Google Maps 2024

Sutton Trod

Whilst not officially a street, and for centuries lay beyond the Hull in the parish of Sutton, Sutton Trod, or parts of are still in existence today. ‘Trod’ is Scandinavian suggesting its origins are 11th century, or earlier. The route of Sutton Trod linked Sutton with land to its south. Prior to the river crossing at Stoneferry, the only way to cross what became the lower part of the river Hull from High Flags at Wincolmlee from the mid-13th century was at Drypool. One of the Lords of Sutton, Sayer III had a ferry crossing at what was Sayer Creek, now the lower part of the river Hull at Drypool. 

Linking Sutton with Hull and the area between, the route of Sutton Trod begins at Sutton-on-Hull, more precisely Chamberlain Street, though the track may have started just north on Church Street. From here it runs south to Tweendykes. Crossing Tweendykes it joins up with what is Woodleigh Drive today. From here the the route is still in existence beyond to Sutton Road. Crossing Sutton Road, it runs through the Lambwath estate between the area of Corona Drive, Burbage Avenue and Hathersage Road. At Moffat Close it turns roughly southwest, crossing the former Hull/Hornsea railway linking up with what is today Rockford Green. From here the track is lost. But we know from Ariel maps that it continued southwest across Rockford Green and Rockford Avenue, crossing Chamberlain Road somewhere close to Brendon Avenue. From here is crossed the old Reckitt’s sports ground, again running southwest before joining up with Woodhall Street. Whilst Sutton Trod ends at Woodhall Street the route beyond continued. Turning south at the junction of what is today Stoneferry Road the route to Hull continued south, closely following the course of the river Hull, probably linking into what is today Lime Street before joining up close to what is today Hull’s North Bridge. From here the route may have perhaps continued along what is today Great Union Street on to Drypool. Presumably it was here that it would have linked up with Sayer’s ferry crossing. If you recall from part one the ferry crossed to here, possibly to Aldgate (now Scale Lane) allowing the onward journey to the west and beyond.   

The route with existing sections of Sutton Trod - Google Maps 2024

Waverley Street

Waverley Street is now all but gone. The Castle Street upgrade has taken away its last remnants. It was however originally a lane leading from Lover Lane to the fields on each side. Waverley Street was built on the site of the town Gallows. The last man to be public executed in Hull on the site of the gallows was John Rogerson on 19th August 1772. He was executed for counterfeiting coin. An account of his execution together with his last words is available to view here at the Hull History Centre [Ref L SP/66]

The red cross marks the location of the once town gallows - Google Maps 2024

If this is your first time viewing the Hull History Centre blog, we have a two-part blog on the Streets of Hull available. Or why not discover something new among the rest of our blogs. If you have yet to read part one click here!

Part one - Streets of Hull 

Part two - Streets of Hull

Neil Chadwick

Librarian/Archivist

Lost Streets of Hull - Part one

Introduction

Over the centuries streets in Hull and come and gone. Some retain their original names whilst others have seen their names changed. Some are within living memory, whilst others may have disappeared long ago. Some of these street you may never heard of or knew never existed and unknowingly travel along, whilst others have been superseded by a new street or layout altogether. Some of these streets may have reverted to carparks or green spaces, with others are now occupied by buildings. In this first of a two-part blog, we look at some of Hull's lost streets.

Aldgate

Though technically not lost as such (just renamed) was Aldgate. The reason for mentioning Aldgate is it is possibly Hull’s oldest street. 'Aldgate' is Saxon in origin and means Old-gate. It could be that Aldgate pre-dates the Norman Conquest of 1066. Aldgate, now Whitefriargate was an ancient thoroughfare meaning 'public gate' or 'open to all'.

It is probable that Aldgate was in use at least a century before Hull. There was a ferry crossing at Drypool in the 13th century before Hull was acquired by Edward I. This crossing may have disembarked on the west side of the river Hull by what was Aldgate, (today Scale Lane). Aldgate ran the route of what we know today as Scale Lane, Silver Street and Whitefriargate, linking up with Carr Lane. From here travellers could continue west. Aldgate would perhaps have been used as a route to Wyke, the settlement around 1 km west of Hull’s old town. Aldgate named changed to Whitefriargate when the White Friars settled here.

Bowling Green Court

Taking its name from the bowling green situated there in 1791, Bowling Green Court was at the end of Waltham Street. The sites history is believed to go back centuries - if believed 1,500 years! It is said that a 6th century hall once stood on its site, which would put this at the time of the early Angles and Saxons. By the mid-1820s the land was sold to the adjoining Waltham Street chapel and with it the name ceased.

The site of the Bowling Green Court was within the area marked ' site of hall or manor house... c.6th cent. [L SP/101]

Carlisle Street

Many of use still walk along what was once known as Carlisle Street. It was once a section of what we know today as Prospect Street from its junction with West Street, just by the former Woolworth’s store and ran to the intersection with Jameson Street. It was once originally part of the Beverley Road and named after the Lord Lieutenant of East Yorkshire, Frederic Earl of Carlisle. 

Carlisle Street [Goodwill and Lawson's plan of Hull, 1834]

Champagne Street

Despite thinking the obvious connection, Champagne Street didn’t take it name from the production of sparkling wines. It takes its name from Peter de Campania, a Royal Commissioner in Hull in 1293. Today the route of Champagne Street appears to be that of Dagger Lane today. Dagger Lane became the place in which daggers or knives were made, hence its name change from Champagne Street.

Collier Street

Yes. Collier Street is no more. For many of us it was at Collier Street that we hopped off the bus at the old bus station. However, Collier Street was no more with the building of St. Stephen’s shopping centre. The route of Collier Street now forms Margaret Moxon Way which is sandwiched between the shopping centre and the Paragon Interchange. Collier Street was once home to some of the worst housing conditions in Hull during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The image below is that of James Place, a court that ran off Collier Street. The walls were washed in white lime to give it a lighter feel as such courts tended to have little in the way of natural light. It was named after Joseph Collier who purchased a portion of the street in 1828.

James Place, Collier Street. Note the walls lime washed to give it a lighter feel [L THP/721]

Fetter Lane

Fetter Lane linked Market Place with High Street. Fetter Lane refers to a type of shackle for the feet. It may have taken its name from the House of Correction located there. It is said prisoners were held in ‘fetters’ outside. Today the Magistrate Courts by the A63 and Market Place occupy the site that was once Fetter Lane.

Great Passage Street

Great Passage Street was probably ancient highway tracing its origins back to the 12th century, if not earlier. It was close to Great Passage Street that the ancient hamlet of Myton was located. In the 17th and 18th centuries it was merely a track to various properties that had been built there. By the beginning of the 19th century, it was once again an important road. In the second half of the 20th century, it made way for the A63, more precisely the Myongate roundabout, which has now been replaced by the new A63 improvement scheme, due to open in Spring 2025.

Great Passage Street followed the line of the hamlet of Myton from what was then Lyle Street (now Mytongate) [L.9.8 Blashill's Evidences relating to East Hull]

Hull Street

Hull Street was once the economic hub of the Town. Hull Street is now better known today as High Street. Hull Street or High Street appears to be built on land reclaimed from the much wider river. So had you been around before the 1250s this part of Hull was more than likely formed the very edge of the riverbank meaning everything to its east, including Hull's Museum Quarter was in fact river!

Love Lane

Perhaps it acquired its name from young lovers frequenting its stretch - it seems plausible. Love Lane was in the vicinity Kingston Street and ran north to south. Originally it was a lane leading to property in the neighbourhood which then contained a few scattered villas. A part of the old Love Lane now forms part of Cogan Street. 

Love Lane from Thomas Anderson's plan of Hull, 1814

Lyle Street

Lyle Street appears to have been a short-lived name in the history of Hull. Lyle Street is better known today as Mytongate. Lyle Street was named after a Royal Commissioner, Roger de Insula in 1293. Also spelt Lisle, it is the Anglicised name of Roger de Insula. Whilst many of us have been sat in traffic on Mytongate, Mytongate acquired the non-official name of La Belle Tour (a fine walk) when the town beyond its Medieval walls was open space.

Thanks for reading and keep a look out for part-two.

Neil Chadwick

Librarian/Archivist