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