Riverside Rooms Restaurant Including Watergate

The Riverside Rooms Restaurant, including the Watergate, is a range of warehouses dating from the late 15th century, located on the west side of King Street in King's Lynn. This long, rectangular, single-storey building is constructed of brick and has a roof made of machine tiles. The southern side of the building was rebuilt in the 17th and 18th centuries and has been altered in the 20th century, featuring modern windows and doors at intervals. The gabled roof is a prominent feature. The northern side retains much of its original late 15th century English bond brickwork, which extends into the western gable, although it has undergone significant repairs. There is a 20th-century window in the gable-head. A brick wall continues south along the current river line and includes a blocked entrance with a chamfered brick arch, which is the former watergate that would have opened directly into a warehouse. This suggests that the restaurant warehouse was originally much wider before being narrowed in the 17th century. Inside, the roof features re-used cambered tie beams, two tiers of staggered butt purlins that are taper-tenoned, and renewed collars from the mid-18th century.