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King's Lynn

A relatively undiscovered historic port with loads to see and do

An Introduction to King's Lynn

Valiant Sailor
Dukes Head Hotel
Quay Bollard
Purfleet Quay
Corn Exchange

King's Lynn is often missed, as many pass by on the way to the North Norfolk Coast, Norwich or the Norfolk Broads. But to miss King's Lynn is a mistake. Originally known as Lin, a first settlement was established and in 1101, Bishop Herbert Losinga (the same Bishop that established Norwich Cathedral) founded St Margaret's Church and the town became known as Bishops Lin. Trade built up quickly around the waterways and a few years later a second settlement was established to the North. Lynn now consisted of 2 medieval settlements, each with its own church and marketplace. In 1537 King Henry VIII decided he would take control of the town from the Bishop of Norwich and it became known as King's Lynn and the town grew rich from trade within Britain and abroad. By the middle ages, the town ranked as the 3rd port of England and was considered as important as Liverpool. Although the town's importance declined from this heyday, King's Lynn today is a still an important regional centre for a largely sparsely populated part of England.

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King's Lynn Map

Kings Lynn Map Purfleet Quay St Nicholas Chapel Corn Exchange Custom House Greyfriars Lynn Ferry Shopping Centre Town Hall Hunstanton St Margarets Historic Quarter The Walks South Quay
 

Kings Lynn Guided Picture Tour


We start our tour of King's Lynn by entering the town through the grand South Gates and then parking the car in Boal Street car-park. The South Gates were built as part of the towns defences, which from the 13th century was a combination of sea and wall. This gatehouse was largely rebuilt during the 15th century and restored in the 1980's. Boal street car-park is situated near one of the main quays and is an immediate reminder of the maritime past that is very much in evidence today.
South Gate
South Gate, the entry to Kings Lynn

After parking the car, we cross Millfleet and walk along South Quay. Fishing has always been a strong part of Lynn's history. Queen Elizabeth I granted Lynn fishermen the right to "free and uninterrupted use of the Fisher Fleet for ever and ever"!! Lynn's whaling ships would sail to Greenland every March and return back here in July with their catch. On their return this quay would be full of excitement; today it is a peaceful place to sit and watch the odd boat float by from wharfs converted into a bars and restaurants.
Fishing Boats
Fishing Boats near Boal Quay
Wine Bar
A Wine Bar and Restaurant on South Quay

Continuing our walk along the quay's, we come to Purfleet Quay. In medieval times, this was a navigable waterway, taking boats into the heart of the town; it also marked the boundary between the two medieval settlements forming Lynn. Today it is nothing more than a peaceful inlet.
Purfleet Quay
Purfleet Quay Today
Medieval Lin
Medieval Lin, depicted on a local sign

Sitting on Purfleet Quay is the Custom House. This magnificent building was constructed in 1684 and initially used as a merchants exchange. From 1718 right up to 1989, the building was used by Customs and Excise, hence the name. It has now been refurbished and houses interesting displays and the tourist information centre.
Custom House
Custom House
Stone Figure
Stone Figure

One name linked with King's Lynn is George Vancouver, you will see his name all around the town and a display in the Custom House explains his story. In 1792 George Vancouver was a captain in the British Royal Navy and sent to survey the North American coast from San Francisco right up to Alaska. Vancouver was the first European to enter the main harbour area of the present day City of Vancouver. The map drawn by Vancouver was so accurate that it was still used for navigation into the 20th century.
George Vancouver
George Vancouver Statue
Inside Custom House
Vancouver Gallery in the Custom House

George named many of the places he discovered after his friends, but he chose to name the inner harbour area Vancouver in 1792. This Canadian city is now home to over 2 million people and the largest city in Western Canada. It has been ranked as one of the most desirable places to live and also one of the cleanest city's in the world.

We continue our tour along King Street, which contains many historic buildings that are based on original medieval structures. These buildings formed part of Lynn's second medieval settlement.
King Street
Looking along King Street
King Street
27 King Street

Mid-way along King Street you will find Ferry Lane, leading to a ferry service to West Lynn. A ferry has been operating here for over 700 years and is still used today by commuters and shoppers to get to and from West Lynn. Little has changed with this service over the 700 years, with the exception of safety; in 1796 for example, 22 of the 30 passengers drowned when the ferry hit a barge.
Ferry Lane
Ferry Lane
Kings Lynn Ferry
King's Lynn Ferry

At the end of King Street we come to the Tuesday Market Place, dominated by the Corn Exchange and the Dukes Head Hotel. This is one of the largest medieval market places in England and would have originally opened directly onto the river. The Corn Exchange was built in 1854 with a Baroque facade featuring Ceres, the goddess of Corn! Originally built for local farmers to sell their corn, it is now used as a multi-function venue for concerts and community use. The Dukes Head Hotel was constructed in 1684 and was used by wealthy merchants to do business in the town.
Corn Exchange
The Corn Exchange
Corn Exchange
Looking up!
Dukes Head Hotel
The Dukes Head Hotel
Houses
Houses around the market place


The Tuesday Market Place was used for local punishment, with stocks, whipping post and gallows all situated here. One gruesome case was that of a young maidservant, who was boiled to death in 1531 for murder.

To the north-east of the market place is St Nicholas Chapel, which was founded in 1145, but the building you see today was not completed until 1420. The chapel was the place of worship for the 2nd of Lynn's medieval settlements. Nearby is True's Yard Fishing Heritage Museum, where you can explore Lynn's maritime past in a building that was once 2 fishermen's cottages.
St Nicholas Chapel
St Nicholas Chapel
True's Yard
True's Yard Museum

Off one side of the market place is the High Street, the main shopping street in King's Lynn. The street contains a mix of the usual High Street names and small local traders. Major brands include BHS, JD Sports, Game, HMV, Laura Ashley, Next, River Island, Waterstones. The Vancouver Quarter shopping centre contains stores such as TK Maxx, Millets, New Look and Argos.
Kings Lynn Shopping
Shopping in King's Lynn
High Street
King's Lynn High Street
Loca Shops
Local Shops
Vancouver Shopping Centre
The Vancouver Shopping Centre

At the end of the High Street, we come to a green open space containing 2 magnificent structures - Greyfriars tower and the town Library. Greyfriars came to King's Lynn in the 1230's and wasted no time in building a friary and during the early 1300's they even added running water! The friary was closed in 1538 by King Henry VIII but the tower was left intact as it contained a lantern and was a valuable beacon to shipping. Also on the site is King's Lynn library, built by the philanthropist Andrew Carnegie during the early 20th century. It is still the town's main library and staff say the basement is haunted by the ghost of a monk that still lives here!
Greyfriars Tower
Greyfriars Tower
Friary Model
Model showing how the friary would have looked
Library
King's Lynn Library
Library
The Public Library, haunted by the ghost of a monk!

Over the road is a park called the Walks. The park was established during the 18th century as an open space to relax and go for a stroll. It still serves this function today and is a lovely green space, with pond, streams and various structures. Its a great place for a picnic or a game of cricket in summer!
Bandstand
Park Bandstand
Park Walls
Park Old Walls

Returning to the centre of town, we come to the historic quarter, containing many historic streets and buildings which formed the main part of the original Lynn settlement. Nelson Street marks the line of the old riverbank before it silted up, with buildings dating from the 18th century. The Valiant Sailor is a former Tudor Inn named after Jack Crawford, a sailor, who during the Battle of Camperdown in 1797 climbed a broken mast and nailed a flag to it. Hampton Court dates back to the 14th century and was used by merchants. John Hampton, a baker, added a complete new wing during the 17th century.
Nelson Street
Nelson Street
Valiant Sailor
Valiant Sailor
Hampton Court
Hampton Court
Face
Face in Hampton Court!

In the archway leading to Hampton Court, you will see a cannon ball which was supposedly fired across the river by the Earl of Manchester's army during the civil war in 1643. The cannon ball hit the church of St Margaret's, crashing through the west window!

The highlight of the heritage quarter is the magnificent Town Hall, dating back to the 15th century. The building has a distinctive chequered flint front, impressive windows and the arms of both Queen Elizabeth I and King Charles II. The centerpiece of the complex is the Trinity Guildhall, located behind the main window. The town hall was expanded over the years, with the Gaol House added in 1784, which remained in police use until 1955. The gaol house is now a museum where you can hear the stories of local highwaymen, smugglers, robbers and the punishments that were given to them. The museum also contains the Regalia room, containing fine civic treasures such as the King John Cup.
Town Hall
Flint Chequered Patterns on the Town Hall
Town Hall
Town Hall
Gaol House
Gaol House
Police Reception
Gaol House Police Reception
Prisoner
Gaol House Prisoner

Adjacent to the Town Hall is a converted town house containing the Museum of Lynn Life. This museum allows you to explore everyday life in King's Lynn through the ages. There are recreated rooms, costumes, toys and a delightful garden.
Victorian Room
Victorian King's Lynn Life
1950's Room
1950's King's Lynn Life

Opposite the town hall is the Saturday Market and the magnificent church of St Margaret's, forming the centre of the first medieval town. Work started on the church of St Margaret's in 1101, however little remains of this church and the building we see today dates from the 13th century. The church has many interesting features including flood markers outside the main door - showing how vulnerable to flooding this area is. Inside, you will find 2 of the largest brasses in England, dating from the 14 century, with one depicting a beloved dog.
St Margaret Church
St Margaret Church
Inside St Margarets
Inside St Margaret's
Flood Level
Flood Level Indicators
Brass Rubbing Dog
Brass Rubbings featuring a dog!
Altar
Altar and East Window
Brass Figures
Brass Rubbing Figures
Stained Glass Window
Stained Glass Window

Destination
Check In Date
Check Out Date

King's Lynn summary of what to SEE and DO

Enjoy the views of the Great Ouse
Learn about the Wash at Green Quay
Stroll along South Quay and Purfleet Quay
Discover the Custom House
Enjoy a show at the Corn Exchange
Explore the shops of the High Street
Enjoy a walk or picnic in the park
Learn about the Greyfriars and their monastery
Wander the streets of the Historic Quarter
Visit the Gaol House and its 200 year old cells
Explore everyday Lynn Life through the ages
Discover St Margarets church and its secrets
Relax in a bar or restaurant overlooking the river
Take the ferry to West Lynn

Our Verdict

King's Lynn competes with any town in England for history. It is relatively undiscovered containing a wealth of historic buildings and tales to go with them. Do not be put off by its industrial outskirts and make time to visit the town centre - you will not be disappointed.
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TOUR INDEX

NEARBY PICTURE TOURS

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

My Day Out
Corn Exchange
Trues Yard

NORFOLK HOLIDAYS

Pet Friendly
Relaxing Breaks
Short Breaks
Norfolk Cottages

HOLIDAY SHOPPING

Clothing Store
Electronics Photo Store
Toys Games Store
Pet Store
Books Maps Store

OTHER PICTURES

George Vancouver
George Vancouver
Custom House
The Custom House
Guildhall
St George's Guildhall in King Street. The largest 15th century guildhall remaining in Britain.
Tudor Rose Hotel
Tudor Rose Hotel
Food Court
Roasta Food Court in the High Street
Guildhall Sign
Sign on the Town Hall
Inside St Margaret
Inside St Margaret's
Food Court
Cross and figure above the door of St Margaret's
Gargoyle
Gargoyle on St Margaret's
Church Handle
A Legend says that any wrongdoer touching the handle of St Margaret's church will gain temporary sanctuary!
Church Organ
St Margaret's Organ
Sundial
Tide clock on the front of St Margaret's
Memorial
John Sparks Memorial

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