LOWESTOFT, a municipal borough, seaport and watering place in Suffolk, England, 1174 m. N.E. from London by the L.N.E. railway. Pop. (1931) 41,768. In 1086 Lowestoft (Lothu Wistoft, Lowistoft, Loistoft) was a hamlet in the demesne of the royal manor of Lothingland. The men of Lowestoft as tenants on ancient demesne of the crown possessed many privileges, but had no definite burghal rights until 1885. For several cen turies before 1740 the fisheries were the cause of constant dis pute between Lowestoft and Yarmouth. During the last half of the 18th century the manufacture of china flourished in the town. A weekly market on Wednesdays was granted to John, earl of Richmond, in 1308 together with an eight days' fair be ginning on the vigil of St. Margaret's day, and in 1445 John de la Pole, earl of Suffolk, one of his successors as lord of the manor, received a further grant of the same market and also two yearly fairs, one on the feast of St. Philip and St. James and the other at Michaelmas. The market is still held on Wednesdays, and in 1792 the Michaelmas fair and another on May-day were in ex istence. Now two yearly fairs for small wares are held on May 13 and Oct. 11. In 1643 Cromwell took Lowestoft. In the war
of 1665 the Dutch under Admiral Opdam were defeated off Lowestoft by the English fleet commanded by the duke of York.
It lies on either side of the formerly natural, now artificial outlet of the river Waveney to the North sea, while to the west the river forms Oulton Broad and Lothing lake. The northern bank is the original site. South Lowestoft arose on the comple tion of harbour improvements, begun in 1844, when the outlet of the Waveney reopened in 1827, was deepened. The old town is situated on a lofty declivity. The church of St. Margaret is Decorated and Perpendicular. South Lowestoft has a fine espla nade, a park (Bellevue) and other adjuncts of a watering-place. Bathing facilities are good. There are two piers enclosing a harbour with a total area of 67 ac., including an inner and outer harbour with a depth of 16 ft. at low water. Extensive improve ments have been made for the fishing industry which is very im portant. Industries include ship and boat building and fitting, and motor engineering, and manufacture of textiles.