gardens to visit near kings lynn

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Best things to do in King’s Lynn and West Norfolk

There are around 550 square miles of West Norfolk and every single one of them has something to surprise, inspire and delight, with stunning nature reserves, Fens waterlands, glorious sandy beaches, the seaside resort of Hunstanton, and country homes including Sandringham, the Royal Family’s rural retreat.

Sandringham House and Gardens.

The historic medieval port of King’s Lynn has a wealth of stunning buildings, heritage museums and attractions. On Purfleet Quay is the splendid 1683 Custom House, described by Pevsner as ‘one of the most perfect buildings ever built’, and now the tourist office.

Norman Castle Rising.

Just outside King’s Lynn is magnificent Norman Castle Rising , one of the largest and best-preserved keeps in the country, atop huge earthworks. Not far away is Castle Acre, not a castle at all, but extensive ruins of a Norman priory.

One of the most popular visitor attractions in West Norfolk is the Royal Family’s home Sandringham – the house and gardens are open from April to October with the estate grounds and visitor centre open throughout the year. A few miles away is Houghton Hall , built by Great Britain’s first Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole and renowned for its art shows and installations.

Houghton Hall.

West Norfolk borders the Wash, the UK’s most important estuary for wild birds and a site of international significance. The sheltered mudflats here provide a vast feeding ground for thousands of water birds from as far away as Greenland and Siberia.

The natural coastal landscape is an ideal habitat for many species of wintering wildfowl, summer breeding birds and migrants.

There are numerous nature reserves in the area including RSPB Snettisham and Welney Wetland Centre on the Ouse Washes, home to thousands of wildfowl such as swans, wigeon and pochard who descend on the reserve during the winter months. In summer there are guided walks of this rich Fens area.

King’s Lynn

King’s Lynn, the capital of West Norfolk, was one of England’s most important cities from the 13 th century, and today it is proud of its maritime heritage, with many listed buildings, museums and medieval merchants’ homes along its cobbled streets and beside the atmospheric quays on the River Great Ouse that leads to The Wash and North Sea.

The Custom House at Purfleet.

The focal point of historic King’s Lynn is The Custom House which has a display on the town’s links with the Hanseatic League. Look out for the statue of explorer George Vancouver.

The Holy Trinity Guildhall.

The Georgian Hanse House is one of the country’s most significant historic buildings, True’s Yard Museum is dedicated to the town’s fishing heritage and don’t miss the Holy Trinity Guildhall, the largest and best-preserved medieval guildhall in England, or King’s Lynn Minster. And if you want a step into prehistory, discover the story of Seahenge at Lynn Museum . They are all within a few minutes’ walk from the town centre and the station which has direct regular trains to King’s Cross.

Also make sure you find time to wander the streets, enjoy the multitude of local shops, and stroll around Tuesday and Saturday Market Places.

Hunstanton’s stripy cliffs.

The classic seaside resort of Hunstanton  has a large, award-winning, sandy beach with safe, shallow water that provides a vast playground, alongside all the traditional attractions of a great family resort. Here you’ll find some of the best conditions in the country for windsurfing, as well as kite-surfing, land boarding, sailing and water skiing.

Hunstanton’s stunning striped cliffs of Carr stone and red and white chalk rise above the sea to the north of the town. At Old Hunstanton, the original fishing village before the Victorians came by railway, the vast beach provides miles of space to relax and unwind.

As the only west-facing resort on the east coast of Britain, Hunstanton basks in sunshine long into the evening and visitors can enjoy spectacular sunsets from the promenade.

Nearby Heacham has a connection to Native American Pocahontas, whose husband John Rolfe came from the village. It is also home to Norfolk Lavender . It may be best-known from the arid hillsides of Provence, but the aromatic herb has been grown at Caley Mill since 1935 and was originally brought here by the Romans. There are now 90 acres of purple-blue stripes that thrive in the light, sandy soil.

Brancaster beach.

Nearby is Holme-next-the-Sea, the beginning of the Norfolk Coast Path to Cromer, and on a stretch of coast that has tidal marshes and beautiful sandy beaches, including magnificent Brancaster in Norfolk’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

At Brancaster harbour you will find the National Trust’s Millennium Activity Centre, from where you can take guided walks, birdwatching rambles and sailing courses, and there’s more twitching activity at the RSPB’s Titchwell Marsh Nature Reserve where from the hides you might see avocets, marsh harriers and bearded tits.

Holme Dunes Nature Reserve.

After Thornham, the Norfolk Wildlife Trust-run Holme Dunes National Nature Reserve has salt and freshwater marshes, pine woodland and reedbeds which attract waders and migrant wildfowl, as well as nesting birds such as oystercatchers and ringed plover in spring and summer. Snipe, avocet, lapwing and redshank breed on the marshes.

Before the road turns south and heads to Hunstanton, the quiet flint cottage settlement of Holme-next-the-Sea provides the point where the Peddars Way walk ends and the Norfolk Coast Path begins. It was here in 1998 that gales uncovered a prehistoric circle of timber posts. ‘Seahenge’, as it inevitably became known, can now be seen in the Lynn Museum .

Explore the Fens

Walking in the Fens.

Stretching across several counties and covering around 1 million acres, The Fens are a fascinating ‘natural manscape’, not least in the villages just south and east of King’s Lynn, where you’ll find some of the finest medieval ecclesiastical architecture and art in the UK. The landscape here is unlike any other: endless fields of rich black fertile soil and arable crops, split by drainage ditches and the Great Ouse, Little Ouse, Bedford and Nene rivers.

The Fens were originally low-lying marshlands and wetlands, with drainage work beginning in the 1650s under the Dutch engineer Cornelius Vermuyden and finally being completed in the 1820s when the introduction of steam-driven pumps replaced windpumps.

Naturally, there’s a Dutch feel to the reclaimed, low-lying environment, a world away from the inhospitable wilderness of squelching bogs where before a few hardy souls eked a living cutting peat for fuel, making thatch from reeds and existing on fish and wildfowl.

The ‘Cathedral of the Fens’ at Walpole St Peter.

It’s the churches in this area that captivate, their names appearing in village titles. At Terrington St Clement the parish church has the longest nave of any in the country, at Walpole St Peter the church is known as the ‘Cathedral of the Fens’ for its grandeur and fine proportions; in the Wiggenhalls, St Germans, St Mary Magdalen and St Mary the Virgin are well worth visiting, as is St Peter and St Paul at Watlington.

The ancient Anglo Saxon town of Downham Market is just fifteen minutes by train from King’s Lynn and is well-placed to reach the natural attractions of Welney Wetland Reserve on the Ouse Washes, home to thousands of wildfowl such as swans, wigeon and pochard who descend on the reserve during the winter months. In summer there are guided walks of this rich Fens area, and in the winter the spectacular movement of thousands of geese to and from their feeding grounds is an inspiring sight.

Also nearby are Church Farm  at Stow Bardolph, Gooderstone Water Gardens and National Trust Oxburgh Hall . Downham centres on the Market Place, marked by the town’s iconic Victorian clock tower. Weekly markets and crafts and collectables markets are held on Town Square and the market place.

Locations in West Norfolk

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Lexham Hall

King's lynn england, norfolk, introduction.

Lexham Hall is an 18th- and 19th-century parkland and lake which was restored in the late-20th century. The gardens consist of a formal layout with terracing, yew hedges, roses and mixed borders. There is also a walled kitchen garden and a three-acre woodland garden featuring a range of azaleas and rhododendrons.

www.historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list

A late 20th-century formal garden by Dame Sylvia Crowe, surrounded by 18th-century parkland, further expanded during the 19th century.

SITE DESCRIPTION

LOCATION, AREA, BOUNDARIES, LANDFORM, SETTING

Lexham Hall stands on the eastern boundary of the village of East Lexham, c24 km east of Kings Lynn and covers an area of approximately 65ha. Lexham lies in a rural part of Norfolk, set in a gently rolling landscape of farmland and woodland. The park is bounded to the north by farmland, with a minor country road linking East and West Lexham cutting off Great Wood and the Three-cornered Plantation from the main body of the park. To the east and south the boundaries are formed by farmland, while East Lexham village lies outside the park, adjacent to the western boundary. The whole site is surrounded by agricultural land. The land falls slightly to the Broad Water which runs north-south through the eastern side of the park, and there is a further gentle fall to the south towards the River Nar which cuts east-west through the southern tip.

ENTRANCES AND APPROACHES

The present drive (1999) enters directly off the East to West Lexham road to the north-west of the Hall and runs due south before turning east, past the north front to the main entrance on the east front of the Hall which looks out over the park and the Broad Water to the perimeter plantations. This drive was created by the army during the second world war and was retained by William Foster who planted a lime avenue along its straight length. A second drive, now a grass track, leads west to the village and leaves the park through the boundary plantation beside the West Lodge, a single storey rough cast brick and slate cottage with decorative chimneys and barge boards erected during the 1850s. The chimneys were made by a local brickworks to an original design by A W N Pugin for Oxburgh Hall (qv). The present main drive replaced the mid C19 east drive which entered the park by a lodge (now demolished) in Gardener's Plantation, crossed a bridge over the Broad Water and swept south-west through the park to the north front (OS 1891).

PRINCIPAL BUILDING

Lexham Hall (listed grade II) is a large colour washed brick and slate mansion. The north (originally the entrance) front is two-storey with seven bays and a porch over the centre bay, and five flat-roofed dormers. The present entrance is at the centre of the east side. The south (garden) front has eight bays and four gabled dormers with a fine view from the south terrace, looking south over the river and then through a cutting in the American Garden to the landscape beyond. To the west is a range of service buildings, including the c1850 octagonal former dairy (listed grade II) built of flint with gault brick dressing under a copper roof and a range of stables and garages. The fabric of the 1630s manor house at Lexham was incorporated in the building of a new mansion in c1700 by Edward Wodehouse, the wing at the east end of the south side surviving from this phase. During the early C 19 Sir Jeffry Wyatville was commissioned to enlarge the Hall and the whole was substantially restored and remodelled by Jim Fletcher Watson in 1948 for William Foster.

GARDENS AND PLEASURE GROUNDS

The gardens cover approximately 2.Sha and lie principally to the south and south-west of the house. To the north is a gravel carriage drive set in grass lawns which sweeps round to the east front and circles a central grass area. The east front is bordered by balustrading added in 1949, broken in the centre of the east wall by a pair of wrought iron gates leading into the park and in the centre of the south wall by a gap leading onto the garden terraces. The C20 balustrading marks the extent of the C19 formal garden but otherwise nothing visible remains of the C 18 and C 19 gardens on these fronts.

To the south is the main garden, designed by Dame Sylvia Crowe and planted by Mrs William Foster during the 1950s. Two levels of shallow paved terraces, decorated with balustrading, come off the Hall front and lead down to a lawn enclosed by high yew hedges clipped as scrolls. A new scheme of rose planting (1999) designed by Peter Beales fills the border below the bottom terrace. Beyond the yew hedges is the park. To the west the lawn leads to a long walk bordered by yew on the park side and by a deep border of mixed shrubs and herbaceous perennials on the north side. The walk leads to the east wall of the walled kitchen garden 80m west of the house and also links the gardens to the pleasure grounds, known as the American Gardens. East of the gateway into the walled gardens is a flint and brick loggia, built in the 1950s using materials from the demolished East Lodge.

The American Gardens cover c 12ha and run south from below the kitchen garden, along the western boundary, over the river before curving round to form the southern boundary of the park. This pleasure ground is a woodland garden of mixed exotics and hardwoods, underplanted with a variety of evergreen shrubs. Paths wind through the area and flint and brick bridges, built by Mr William Foster in the mid C20, cross the river beside weirs. The gardens contain two Gothic style brick and thatch summerhouses, one in the western section which has been restored and stands beside the remains of a fountain pond, the other in the southern section which is derelict (1999). The summerhouses both date from the mid 1850s. A vista has been cut through the southern section of the Gardens, aligned on the house terrace, to allow views out of the site to the south. The American Gardens were created in the early years of the C 19 and developed by Mrs Frances Keppel in the 1840s with plants supplied by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (qv) (Kelly 1985)."

The park is laid to pasture with a generous scatter of trees, predominantly oak with lime and sweet chestnut of mixed ages. Some very mature oaks in the north park are most probably pre-park boundary trees. The River Nar cuts through the south park from east to west and broadens at the western end in two sections to create a lake. Running north from the lake, c200m from the house, is the Broad Water, a canalised spur off the river which runs for 800m through the park and crosses the East to West Lexham road into a small section of open parkbeyond.

The park was laid out in the 1770s by Sir John Wodehouse, possibly influenced by Lancelot Brown (1716-83) whom he employed at Kimberley the following year. At that time it extended north to the road and was enclosed by Great Wood and Three-cornered Plantation (Faden's map 1797). Gardener's Plantation was added in the mid C19 by the Keppel family who also created the Broad Water and extended the park beyond the river to the south, with the planting of the American Gardens. Further expansion took place at the end of the C 19, adding parkland to the east between Gardener's Plantation and Carr Plantation. William Foster restored the park, created the lake and built the lake bridge in the mid C20. During the C20 the level of tree cover has been much reduced by storm damage but the park, particularly to the north remains well treed and restoration planting has taken place in the late C20. During the 1980s the eastern park was returned to pasture by Mr Neil Foster.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN

The walled kitchen garden covers approximately lha and lies 120m south-west of the house. The area is walled on three sides and is open to the south where it is bounded by a moat, the crinkle crankle brick north wall (listed grade II) is the oldest, being possibly C17 (Tom Williamson pers comm 1999). The flint and brick east wall is C18 and has an ornamental gateway with urn-topped brick piers leading from the gardens. The west wall is a mix of C 19 and C20, the C 19 section forming a division beyond which lies a late C20 swimming pool. The garden is laid in a quartered pattern, planted for ornament in the southern half with grass, roses, herbaceous planting and urns, while the northern half is given over to fruit and vegetables. It contains some C19 and C20 glass and the remains of C19 melon frames.

N Pevsner, The Buildings of England: North-west and South Norfolk (1962), p 147

J Kenworthy-Browne et al, Burke's and Savills Guide to Country Houses III (1981), p 153

G I Kelly, Lexham Hall - a history based upon manuscript sources , 1985 (private report for Mr W Foster) [copy on EH file]

The Field (29 Mar 1986), pp 50-53

Lexham Hall, (UEA report 1992)

T Williamson, The archaeology of the landscape park , BAR British Series 268, (1998), pp 260-261

W Faden, A new topographical map of the county of Norfolk, 1797 (Norfolk Record Office)

A Bryant, Map of the county of Norfolk, 1826 (Norfolk Record Office)

Tithe award map for Lexham parish, 1841 (Norfolk Record Office)

OS 6"" to 1 mile lst edition published 1891; 2nd edition published 1906; 1950 edition

OS 25"" to I mile 2nd edition published 1905

Archive items

Sale Particulars, 1911 (BRA 983/41 5286 A), (Norfolk Record Office)

Description written: March 1999

Comments: June 1999

Owner's comments: October 2000

Edited: March 2001

Access contact details

The garden is open at certain times of the year under the National Gardens Scheme.

Other Websites

• https://www.historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1000268

HISTORIC DEVELOPMENT

The first manor house at Lexham was built in the 1630s for John Wright and was acquired by the Wodehouse family of Kimberley Hall (see description of this site elsewhere in the Register) in 1673, together with the surrounding estate. During the early 18th century Edward Wodehouse extensively remodelled the house and built a walled kitchen garden, part of which survives. In 1776 Sir John Wodehouse carried out further improvements to the Hall, enclosed and laid out the park, and developed gardens and pleasure grounds to the south. John Hyde leased the estate from 1795 and eventually purchased it in 1801, selling on to Colonel F W Keppel in 1807 who extended the park and commissioned Jeffry Wyatville to enlarge the Hall. During the latter part of the 19th century the park was further altered, expanding slightly to the east (OS 1891). In 1911 the estate was sold to the Jessop family who developed the farming side of the estate and in 1941 sold it to Olaf Kier, a Dane who intended to settle at Lexham after the war. During the war the house and park were occupied by the army; park trees were lost, the gardens suffered extensive damage and the Hall fell into disrepair. Consequently Kier put the estate back on the market and it was purchased by William Foster in 1946 who restored the house with the help of architect Jim Fletcher Watson. The site remains (1999) in private ownership.

• Jeffry Wyatville
• James Fletcher-Watson
• Mrs Sylvia Crowe

Designations

The national heritage list for england: register of parks and gardens.

• Reference: GD1184
• Mixed Border
• Kitchen Garden
• Description: Three-cornered Plantation
• Description: River Nar
• House (featured building)
• Description: The first house was built in the 1630s, and has been re-modelled and extended since.
• Earliest Date: 31 Dec 1629

Principal Building

Domestic / Residential

Open to the public

Civil parish.

• {English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest}, (Swindon: English Heritage, 2008) [on CD-ROM] Historic England Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest
• Kenworthy-Browne, J. et al, {Burke?s and Savills Guide to Country Houses, Vol. 3: East Anglia} (London: Burke?s Peerage, 1981), p. 153 Burke's and Savills Guide to Country Houses, Vol 3: East Anglia
• Pevsner, N., {The Buildings of England: North-west and South Norfolk} (Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1962), p. 147 The Buildings of England: North-west and South Norfolk

28 Best Things to Do in King’s Lynn & West Norfolk

Nestled in a corner of West Norfolk is the historic port and market town of King’s Lynn . With a rich Hanseatic past, streets and squares lined with period architecture and bustling marketplaces and quays, King’s Lynn is a Norfolk town well worth visiting.

King’s Lynn also makes a great Norfolk holiday base for the whole family. Not only can you explore the town itself, you can also visit the stunning West Norfolk countryside which is just a stone’s throw from huge sandy beaches and some of Norfolk’s top attractions.

This round-up of all the best things to do in King’s Lynn and the surrounding area of West Norfolk, plus recommendations for places to stay and where to eat, will help you plan the perfect King’s Lynn trip.

RELATED POST: The Ultimate Local’s Guide to Norfolk

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• Notable King's Lynn Buildings & Historical Sites

Stories of Lynn Museum

Contemporary outdoor art installations, fish & chips, bircham windmill, norfolk lavender.

• Getting To King's Lynn by Public Transport

Is King’s Lynn Worth Visiting?

Absolutely! King’s Lynn is a town with a rich tapestry of history that can be seen in its buildings, cobbled streets and heritage quay. The story of King’s Lynn is weighty with fortunes made and lost, the might of the church, seafaring escapades and civil war seiges and blocakdes. Delve in and you will not be disppointed!

Discover the History & Architecture of King’s Lynn

Take a walk through king’s lynn history.

Considered one of the most perfect medieval towns in England, much of the town’s history is displayed in the historic buildings and port area. If you’re wondering what to do in King’s Lynn, all you have to do is walk, observe and admire!

A walking tour of the town is one of the best free things to do in Kings Lynn. Pick up self-guided trail leaflets from the Tourist Information Centre in the Town Hall, or download them here . Choose from the maritime trail, Hanseatic trail, Pilgrimage trail and King’s Lynn town guides, or do them all!

RELATED POST: 30 of the Very Best Things To Do in Norfolk

Notable King’s Lynn Buildings & Historical Sites

Old custom house.

Fine old merchants’ houses stretch down to the river between cobbled lanes to Purfleet Quay and the elegant Custom House, which overlooks the harbour and historic waterfront.

The 17th century Custom House, nominated by Nikolaus Pevsner as the most perfect building in the United Kingdom, was commissioned by Sir John Turner, a local wine merchant, and designed by Henry Bell to be a merchant’s exchange.

King’s Lynn Minster

Designated as a Minster in 2011, not much of the original Norman church remains. Centuries of rebuilding and renovation have swept away original features, and the spire collapsed in a storm in 1741.

However, a fine building remains, with architectural features from the 14th and 15th centuries, and both Georgian and Victorian periods.

The south tower of King’s Lynn Minster houses a tide clock, a 20th-century restoration of the original installed by Thomas Tue in 1681, which shows the moon phase and the time of local high tide, indicated by a dragon’s hand.

Greyfriars Tower

A short walk from the High Street, this historic bell tower is the only above-ground remains of the medieval Franciscan friary which was closed in 1538 by Henry VIII.

The brick tower stands 28m tall and leans at a noticeable angle of 1.5 degrees, due to its marshy foundations, leading locals to call it the Leaning Tower of King’s Lynn.

Pilot Street

Numbers 30 and 32 Pilot Street are rare examples of 15th century timber-framed parallel hall houses. Now private dwellings, a wander down Pilot Street on your way to the waterfront gives you a feel for how this town looked in medieval times.

Red Mount Chapel

The late 15th century Red Mount Chapel was a wayside chapel for pilgrims heading to the famous Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham. This restored Grade I listed building has been used as a place for interdenominational worship and an astronomical observatory.

The chapel is situated in the Grade II listed landscape of The Walks, a historic urban park located in the heart of King’s Lynn and the only surviving 18th century town walk in Norfolk.

St George’s Guildhall

The historic Grade I listed Guildhall of St George is the largest surviving medieval guildhall in England. Created for the Guild of St George in the early 15th century, the guildhall is built of brick dressed with ashlar and the interior is an excellent example of the architectural decoration and style of the day.

Today, the great hall with it’s timbered ceiling is used as a public venue for music, the arts, and lectures.

St Nicholas’ Chapel

The Chapel of St Nicholas is the largest in all of the United Kingdom and was actually built as a chapel of ease for St Margarets Church (now Kings Lynn Minster) at the far end of the King’s Lynn shopping district.

Most of the building is 15th century, though the tower is slightly earlier. The beautifully detailed slender spire is Victorian, and a replacement for the spire which blew down during a storm in 1741 – the same storm which robbed the Minster of its’ spire – not a good year for the churches of King’s Lynn!

A curiosity about St Nicholas’ Chapel is the Robinson Cruso ledger stone, which has been a mystery for many years. It is known that Daniel Defoe, author of the 18th century novel Robinson Crusoe  visited Lynn. He wrote of King’s Lynn in his  Tour through the Eastern Counties of England and it is thought he used a version of the name for his shipwrecked hero.  

Clifton House

The most significant merchant building in King’s Lynn, the distinctive Clifton House is Grade I listed and located in the heart of the town. With rich historic interiors dating from the 13th to the 18th centuries, including two tiled floors from the 13th century, a 14th century vaulted undercroft, and the five-storey Elizabethan tower.

Now a private home, you can visit on a few days a year when they offer tours , otherwise you’ll have to admire it from the outside!

Marriott’s Warehouse

A grade II listed building which dates from the 1580s, Marriott’s Warehouse was an important trade warehouse and one of several granaries on the South Quay in the late 19th century.

Marriott’s Warehouse is one of only two Hanseatic League warehouses remaining in England, the other being Hanse House, also in King’s Lynn on South Quay.

Between 1550 and 1700, most of the warehouses along the Great Ouse bank were rebuilt in brick, but Marriott’s Warehouse has a lower storey in stone. Ships would dock inside to unload cargo, knowing its stone lower storey would protect them against the tides as it stood out in the Wash, long before the quayside was built up around it.

Today, the ground floor is a restaurant (formerly the Green Quay) and upstairs you’ll find a display about the building of King’s Lynn over the last 900 years, including a fascinating miniature model of the town.

Numbers 15 & 16 Tuesday Market

Look for the diamond carved into the red brick above a window of 15 and 16 Tuesday Market. Hidden in the diamond is the shape of a heart, which according to local legend, is the mark of Margaret Read, who was burned at the stake as a witch called Shady Meg in 1590.

The legend says that as she screamed agony in the flames, her still-beating heart ripped from her chest and smashed into the wall at the marked spot before flying into the River Ouse where it caused the water to bubbleas her heart sank into the murky depths.

RELATED POST: Norfolk Churches: 16 of the Best to Visit

Explore King’s Lynn Museums

Seahenge at the lynn museum.

In 1998 an Early Bronze Age timber circle was discovered on the beach at Holme. An extraordinary find, the arrangement of 55 timber posts surrounding a huge stump buried with its roots upwards, was called Seahenge, as it resembled the famous Stonehenge in Wiltshire.

When Seahenge was created around 2050 BC, the area around Holme was a salt marsh. Over thousands of years, the marshes were covered in peat beds as the sea encroached, and the peat preserved the timbers, keeping them whole.

The timbers were carefully removed from the sea, cleaned, and vacuum freeze-dried to protect them. The original upturned tree stump and many of the upright timber posts are now on display in a special exhibit in the Lynn Museum on Market Street.

The Lynn Museum is not just about Seahenge though, it also tells the story of West Norfolk and King’s Lynn through diverse artefacts, artwork from prominent local artists, and interactive displays.

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True’s Yard Fisherfolk Museum

Traditionally home to a tight-knit fishing community, the North End of King’s Lynn was lined with tiny cottages and cobbled yards. The last pair of 18th century fishing cottages were restored and preserved, and are now home to a fantastic small museum which tells the story of fishing in King’s Lynn and the hard life of the old fishing community in King’s Lynn.

The cottages were built around 1790, on the site of earlier buildings and have served as a bakery, home to fisher families, and a grocer’s shop. Lit by oil lamps and heated by coal, there was no running water, no electricity and no toilet. In the 1980s, a local trust was formed to save the buildings and turn them into a museum and heritage resource centre.

The preserved cottages of Trues Yard Fisherfolk Museum on North Street have been carefully refurbished to show what life was like for the fishermen and their families. One small cottage is restored to the 1850s when a family of 11 lived there!

RELATED POST: 21 Museums in Norfolk You Won’t Want to Miss!

One of the best fun things to do in King’s Lynn for families is to find out about the history of the town at the interactive Stories of Lynn Museum , located in the distinctive King’s Lynn Town Hall on Saturday Market Place.

An app, along with a timeline of objects brings the local story to life, including its powerful past and more modern-day history.

Discover the stories of local merchants, explorers and seafarers who have shaped King’s Lynn, over more than 800 years of history. On your visit, you can tour the old gaol house, try on Mayor’s robes and see the fabulous King John Cup (even though it had nothing to do with King John!).

Music & The Arts in King’s Lynn

The corn exchange.

Situated on Tuesday Market Place, the Grade II listed 1854 facade of the King’s Lynn Corn Exchange belies a modern interior with a fantastic to-the rafters theatre and two cinemas. Hosting live music, theatre, panto and top box office films, this is a great option for a rainy day in Norfolk – it does happen occasionally!

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GroundWork Gallery

GroundWork Gallery is all about art and the environment and exhibits work by contemporary artists who care about how we see the world.

Discover how artists are finding new approaches to address climate change with traditional wall art, sculpture and handicrafts, and enjoy events designed to help you learn about the environment and what you can do to make a difference.

King’s Lynn Arts Centre

The King’s Lynn Arts Centre consists of the medieval Guildhall Theatre alongside four unique art galleries, presenting an ever-changing programme of over 20 exhibitions a year, showcasing the very best in local, regional, national and international art.

As you walk around King’s Lynn, see if you can spot these modern sculptures and installations, which help tell the story of King’s Lynn.

This large hollow bronze globe is set into the pavement close to the Vancouver Shopping Centre, and shows land masses in raised relief with the British Isles at the top, as is Vancouver Island. 

Originally sited in The Square on New Conduit Street, close to the statue of George Vancouver (a British Royal Navy officer, known for his 1791-95 expedition which explored and charted North America’s northwestern Pacific Coast regions), it was moved to its present location in November 2005 to mark the completion of the Vancouver Shopping Centre.

Half Fathom Column

This abstract take on a bronze column by Andrew Schumann can be found in the South Quay area. The ripples represent the surface movements on the River Great Ouse which flows through King’s Lynn to the Wash, and a solar-powered flashing light on top mimics warning buoys afloat in the sea, whilst the height of the column represents the distance between high and low tides.

Archilenses

Beside the River Great Ouse on the corner of Purfleet South Quay and King’s Staithe, you will find Archilenses by Thibault Zambeaux, a glass panel with inlaid magnifying lenses which distort and change the view of the river and marketplace.

There was a Banksy in King’s Lynn, which the elusive artist has confirmed was his work during his 2021 Norfolk ‘Great British Spraycation’. The work included an ice cream cone and tongue placed on the statue of the Victorian fairground manufacturer and town mayor Frederick Savage in Lynn’s London Road, but it was removed by West Norfolk Council staff in the mistaken belief that the artwork was vandalism and before Banksy had claimed the piece.

Banksy confirmed he visited Oulton Broad, Lowestoft, Great Yarmouth , Cromer and Gorleston , where he left several artworks as part of his Norfolk trip!

Lynn Lumiere

Lynn Lumière transforms the facades of six landmark buildings in King’s Lynn (St Nicholas Chapel, 1–3 Tuesday Market Place, the Custom House, King’s Lynn Minster, 18 New Conduit Street and Greyfriars Tower), as a series of spectacular light shows invites you to see the town centre in a different perspective. You can get the Lynn Illuminations trail map here .

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Food & Drink in King’s Lynn

Whatahoot gin distillery.

WhataHoot Distiller y  is one of King’s Lynn’s most popular attractions, especially if it’s raining!  The historic building on King Street not only houses the gin distillery it is also home to a pantry-style shop, gin school and spirit lounge. Their tours, cocktail masterclasses and create-your-own gin experiences make fun gifts for gin enthusiasts.

RELATED POST: 12 Norfolk Gins You Have To Try!

Afternoon Tea

Located in a beautiful square in historic King’s Lynn, the Bank House Hotel is a stylish establishment with a warm and welcoming feel.

Their classic afternoon tea offers beautiful warm scones and traditional homemade cakes. For a special occasion, or just because you can, choose the champagne afternoon tea and enjoy a glass of bubbly!

RELATED POST: Afternoon Tea in Norfolk – 15 of the Best Places

King’s Lynn Merchants Market

What was called King’s Lynn Farmers Market is now known as King’s Lynn Merchants Market. It takes place on the second Saturday of each month between March and December, on Saturday Market Place. The market runs from 9am to 2pm and is held in the Minster when the weather is poor.

The market is the perfect place to buy organic local and seasonal produce, including fruit and veg, home-made chutneys, bread, cakes, specialist cheeses, local honey and homemade pies, alongside local crafts.

RELATED POST: The Best Norfolk Farmers Markets You Won’t Want to Miss!

There are lots of fish and chip shops in King’s Lynn, some have restaurants where you can eat in. Try Loke Fish Bar and Bitson’s Fish & Chips for the best of the best.

RELATED POST: 26 Norfolk Food & Drink You Must Try!

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Things to Do Near King’s Lynn

Castle acre.

A 25 minute drive from King’s Lynn are the Norman ruins of Castle Acre Castle and Castle Acre Priory , one of the largest and best preserved monastic sites in England, which dates back to 1090.

Castle Acre is a tranquil rural village in Norfolk which is home to an extraordinary wealth of history. The village is a complete Norman planned settlement, the work of a baronial family, the Warennes, during the 11th and 12th centuries. Alongside the village, the settlement includes a castle, parish church and Priory.

I loved going to the Castle Acre Castle as a kid, and taking my children, as there are so many grassy areas to run around and have fun. We used to roly-poly down the ancient grass-covered earthworks which surround the site of the ruined castle before heading into the pretty village through the historic Bailey Gate for an ice cream, or cream tea (if we were very lucky!).

The (mostly) ruined Priory is across the small village and you can see the beautiful west-end church gable, prior lodging and remains of many of the buildings around the cloister. The beautiful recreated herb garden grows some of the herbs the monks would have used for medicinal, culinary and decorative purposes.

RELATED POST: 12 Norfolk Castles for You to Explore

Royal Sandringham

Sandringham , a 20,000-acre estate in the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is where the royal family retreats for Christmas, and was reportedly the late Queen Elizabeth’s favourite royal residence.

You can visit the house, gardens, parkland and St Mary Magdalene Church in a day, with many of the ground floor rooms of Sandringham House remaining as they were in Edwardian times.

The gardens are beautiful and the parkland and woods which surround the house are a great spot for dog walking, family activities and picnics.

RELATED POST: Norfolk Road Trip – Route, Map and Itinerary

Historic buildings, a thriving food scene and a cultural hub make Norwich a wonderful day out. The only city in Norfolk, and gateway to the Norfolk Broads , Norwich is the most complete medieval city in the United Kingdom today.

Home to cobbled streets, ancient buildings, a vibrant culinary scene, twisting medieval lanes, and the winding River Wensum that flows through the city centre, Norwich is a feast of history and architecture just waiting to be explored.

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The Royal Station Wolferton

The King’s Lynn to Hunstanton line was opened on 3rd October 1862 and was a single track running for fifteen miles from King’s Lynn to a new station at Hunstanton.

In February of the same year, the Sandringham Estate was purchased by Queen Victoria for use as a private residence for the then-young Prince of Wales the future King Edward VII.

Wolferton Station would see many Royal Specials during its working life before closing in 1969. It is now preserved in private hands and the Queen gets the train to King’s Lynn!

Oxburgh Hall

A National Trust property, Oxburgh Hall is a 15th century moated manor house built by Sir Edmund Bedingfield, whose ancestors still live there today. The house consists of four domestic buildings around a courtyard, built from honeyed stone, and contained within a wide moat.

During the English Civil War, the family lived through turbulent times. Supporting the Royalist cause led to Sir Henry Bedingfield being imprisoned in the Tower of London, one son being wounded, and another forced to flee abroad. Parliamentarian troops ransacked the Hall and destroyed the gardens.

Today, Oxburgh Hall highlights include the King’s Room, where Henry VII stayed in 1487, and needlework hangings created by Mary, Queen of Scots while she was held in custody by the Earl of Shrewsbury.

RELATED POST: 14 Stately Homes in Norfolk to Visit

Castle Rising

Castle Rising Castle is one of the most famous 12th century castles in England. The imposing stone keep was built in 1140 CE and is amongst the finest surviving examples of its kind in Great Britain.

The castle was built soon after 1138 by William d’Aubigny II, who had risen to become the Earl of Arundel. With his new wealth, he built Castle Rising as a palatial hunting lodge. It was inherited by William’s descendants before passing into the hands of the de Montalt family in 1243.

The Montalts later sold the castle to Queen Isabella of France who lived there after her fall from grace in 1330. Isabella extended the castle buildings and enjoyed a regal lifestyle. After her death, it was granted to Edward, the Black Prince, to form part of the Duchy of Cornwall.

The massive surrounding earthworks, not only ensure that Rising is a castle of national importance but give lots of opportunities for kids to run off steam and play sword fighting!

I love to visit Castle Rising, especially with children. It’s one of the few castles where you can get up close to the atmospheric and unspoilt interiors, full of hidden corners, steps worn smooth over centuries, and arrow slits with incredible views.

Another bit of history abour Castle Rising is that it was the first parliamentary seat of Sir Robert Walpole, widely held to be the first British Prime Minister. He left Castle Rising in 1702 so that he could represent the neighbouring borough of King’s Lynn, a pocket borough that would re-elect him for the remainder of his political career.

Standing in the heart of Norfolk’s rolling fields, Bircham Windmill has been restored and now looks as it did over 100 years ago. At that time, Norfolk was home to over 300 mills which ground corn for bread making and animal feed.

Today, very few are left, and Bircham Mill is considered one of the best still remaining. You can climb the five floors up to the fan stage and, on windy days, you can see the sails and the milling machinery turning.

Bircham Mill still makes their own bread in the bakery adjoining the mill, which has its original, coal-fired oven. You can also try your hand at bread baking, a great activity for families with older children.

Outdoor Adventures Around Kings Lynn

Fen rivers way.

The Fen Rivers Way is a long-distance trail running for 50 miles between Cambridge, Ely, Downham Market and King’s Lynn, which traces the course of the rivers that drain slowly across the Fens into the Wash. The route takes you through the distinctive Norfolk Fens landscape and traditional Norfolk market towns on a path rich in history and wildlife.

Taking in the internationally significant environment of the Ouse Washes Nature Reserve, the journey follows the River Great Ouse under huge skies through the dramatic landscapes and past the massive flood banks that protect the low-lying Fens.

This is the landscape of my upbringing – as a teenager I yearned for mountains and some relief from the relentless flatness of the Fens – as an adult, the endless skies and long views to the horizon mesmerise me.

If you don’t want to walk the whole route, pick it up at Downham Market for a good day’s walk. At King’s Lynn, the Fen Rivers Way connects with the Wash Coast Path along the remote coast marshes into Lincolnshire or the  Nar Valley Way  which leads into the heart of Norfolk.

RELATED POST: Walks in Norfolk – 14 of the Best Trails

Head for King’s Lynn’s Beaches

Situated on the River Great Ouse four miles inland from the mud flats and inner tidal bank of the Wash, there is no King’s Lynn beach.

But the good news it, there are at least eight Norfolk beaches within a 30 minute drive of King’s Lynn, meaning a day at the beach is a real possibility.

Snettisham Beach is the closest beach to King’s Lynn and one of Norfolk’s three west-facing beaches, perfect for watching the sunset.

The shingle beach is vast, making it a great place for long walks, beach games and wildlife watching, as it backs onto Snettisham Coastal Park and  RSPB Snettisham Reserve  where you can see the incredible ‘whirling wader spectacle’.

Snettisham Beach is not really a bucket and spade destination, because when the tide goes out, it leaves mudflats rather than sand, which makes for very messy sandcastles!

Heacham , the next beach up the coast is actually two beaches, Heacham North Beach and Heacham South Beach. There are bands of sand but both Heacham beaches are predominantly shingle.

The South Beach, known locally as ‘Stubborn Sands’ is quite rugged and good for long walks with a dog, sea fishing and romantic sunset strolls, whilst the North Beach is a great spot for families.

If you want a proper stretch of sandy stretch, head to Hunstanton South Beach, the next one up from Heacham. Hunstanton is known locally as ‘Sunny Hunny’, and is a perfect seaside resort for families looking for a great sand-castle building beach with lots of amusements, traditional beach activities and the indoor water park at the Alive Oasis Leisure Centre .

Further still are the often deserted sands of Old Hunstanton Beach, perfect for dog-walking and kitesurfing, Holme-next-the-Sea Beach and Brancaster Beach .

RELATED POST: King’s Lynn Beaches: 8 of the Best to Visit

North Norfolk Coast

Spend a day out on this glorious stretch of coastline, which is home to some of Norfolk’s best beaches and traditional seaside towns.

Holme Beach is perfect for solitude and picnicking in the dunes; Happisburgh is a great spot for history and fossil hunting; Cromer Beach is ideal for families and crabbing from the pier in the summer months, and Wells Beach has it all – beach huts, acres of sand and clear water, crabbing in the harbour, and the majesty of nearby Holkham Hall and Holkham Beach .

RELATED POST: Best of the North Norfolk Coast: 20 Unmissable Highlights

Local Farm Centres

Snettisham park.

Snettisham Park and Park Farm is a working Norfolk farm growing wheat for animal feed, barley, sugar beet and grass, which is grazed by a 400 flock of sheep, a herd of red deer, and horses and ponies from their own stables.

The 329-acre working farm is open to the public and is a brilliant day out with kids. See lambs being born, take a 45 minute deer safari, bottle feed baby animals, collect freshly laid eggs and ride ponies, and take a walk on one of their three wonderful trails – sounds like heaven!

Church Farm Rare Breeds Centre

Church Farm Stow Bardolph  is a great place for a day out with the kids. Meet rare breeds and cute baby animals, race around on pedal tractors, enjoy the adventure play areas and the fantastic indoor treehouse, ride on a donkey and even play with piglets, who will roll over obligingly for a belly scratch!

For grown-ups, there’s also outdoor theatre in the summer, beautiful woodland walks and a tea room where you should absolutely try one of their delicious homemade cakes.

For grown-ups, there’s also outdoor theatre in the summer, beautiful woodland walks and a tea room where you should absolutely try one of their delicious homemade cakes.

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Gooderstone Water Gardens & Nature Trails

Goodserstone Water Gardens and Nature Trail is a unique attraction for all garden lovers. Six acres of lush gardens surrounded by waterways and ponds create the perfect spot to while away a summer’s afternoon.

As you wander the trails and cross bridges, keep your eyes out for birds like Kingfishers, and admire the colourful cottage garden and marginal planting which surrounds you.

RELATED POST: The 21 Best Gardens in Norfolk to Visit

Norfolk Coast Path

Just a few miles north along the coast from King’s Lynn, the stunning Norfolk Coast Path runs from Hunstanton in West Norfolk to Sea Palling on the northeast Norfolk coast, with most of the hiking trail passing through the dramatic landscape of the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and past many internationally recognised wildlife reserves.

Connect with the diverse Norfolk countryside when you hike the coastal path, through sand dunes, around salt marshes, along golden beaches and over the odd cliff or two, taking in views of the Wash and the Lincolnshire Coastline at Hunstanton.

Watch sea birds on the wing, seals bobbing in the North Sea and and meet locals in pretty villages and seaside resorts along the way. There are also a few good pubs on route if you’re planning a day’s hiking!

Watatunga Wildlife Reserve

A new attraction for Norfolk, Watatunga is situated in 170 acres of unused Norfolk wetland, and is dedicated to the conservation of threatened ungulates (large mammals with hooves) and birds. Deer and antelope species mix with rare pheasants, ducks and the majestic great bustard, reintroduced in Great Britain after extinction in 1832.

Watatunga aims to inspire and showcase the beauty of their animals whilst telling the story of their struggle to survive. Take a guided buggy tour to learn about this approach to conservation and see the incredible wildlife in the beautiful surroundings of Norfolk.

RELATED POST: Norfolk Nature Reserves – Ultimate A-Z Guide

A highlight on the eastern edge of the Norfolk coast, Norfolk Lavender has over 100 acres of lavender and over 100 lavender varieties. Wandering the scented fields is a real treat, especially when the plants are in bloom in summer.

With tearooms where you can enjoy lavender-smelling goodies, a play park for kids, animal gardens and tours of the lavender fields, this makes a great stop on any Norfolk holiday.

You can also stop at the farm shop for local goodies, and buy lavender plants and their own range of lavender products in the gift shop – time to find the perfect Norfolk souvenir!

RELATED POST: Norfolk Lavender – A Complete Visitor’s Guide

The Best Places to Stay in King’s Lynn

Globe Hotel, Tuesday Market Place – In the heart of old King’s Lynn, the Globe Hotel was first recorded as a historic Georgian coaching inn in 1650. Today the Globe Hotel offers the best aspects of a modern hotel and bar, making a perfect base for exploring King’s Lynn.

Knights Hill Hotel & Spa, South Wootton – Situated in the heart of the beautiful Norfolk countryside on the outskirts of King’s Lynn, Knights Hill Hotel and Spa  offers the perfect getaway retreat. Classically elegant rooms and suites with great amenities offer stylish and comfortable surroundings in the hotel complex.

Bank House Hotel, King’s Staithe Square – The Bank House is located on the Quayside of the River Great Ouse. They have twelve comfortable rooms, each with its own character and design, mixing old antique furniture with new modern paintings and state-of-the-art bathrooms.

Dukes Head Hotel, Tuesday Market Place – The 4* Georgian Dukes Head Hotel enjoys a prime position in the centre of town and has 79 comfortable rooms, a gym, a restaurant and a bar.

Stuart House Hotel, Goodwins Road – The small and stylish family-run Stuart House Hotel is located close to the centre of town and offers an intimate atmosphere and beautifully decorated rooms.

BrickSage Rooms, London Road – Close to historic South Gate, BrickSage is a self-catering guest house offering individually decorated rooms located in a cosy 4-storey terrace.

Other Accommodation Options for King’s Lynn

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My Favourite Places to Eat in King’s Lynn

Liquor & Loaded, Tower Street – King’s Lynn’s answer to an American diner, Liquor and Loaded offers a fantastic menu of loaded fries, dogs, chicken wings, burgers and pulled pork with signature toppings and sauces. Yum!

King’s Lynn Tandoori , Wootton Road – Serving some of the best Indian food in West Norfolk, the King’s Lynn Tandoori serves delicious curries in stylish surroundings. I love their Tandoori Mixed Shashlik Bhuna!

Crown & Mitre, Ferry Street – An independent gastropub, the Crown and Mitre has a lovely position overlooking the river and serves a modern British menu using locally sourced and seasonal ingredients.

The Heron, Stowbridge – A short drive south of town, The Heron is a pretty riverside country inn serving classic pub grub in a welcoming and cosy environment.

Where is King’s Lynn Norfolk?

King’s Lynn is a historic town on the River Great Ouse in West Norfolk. A working port, King’s Lynn handles around 400,000 tonnes of cargo a year.

King’s Lynn lies 44 miles west of  Norwich , 12 miles north of Downham Market and 44 miles southwest of  Cromer .

About King’s Lynn in Norfolk

Originally it was known as ‘Lin’, (and is now called Lynn by locals), the town has changed significantly through the ages. The medieval town was founded when Bishop Herbert de Losinga, who was the first Bishop of Norwich, built St. Margaret’s Church in 1095 and established a market. Now Kings Lynn Minster, it is sited on Saturday Market Place, home of that original market.

The town became prosperous and in 1204, the Bishop John de Grey of Norwich, named it Bishop’s Lynn. Trade flourished along the waterways, due to the town’s proximity to the North Sea, and Bishop’s Lynn became a member of the medieval Hanseatic League and soon grew to be the most important port in England.

In 1537 Bishop’s Lynn became King’s Lynn, when Henry VIII’s charter dispossessed the Norwich bishops and transferred full political power to the town’s merchants.

The English Civil War was a turbulent time for King’s Lynn, with bloodless coups, blockades, sieges and fortifications. The town went from being Parliamentarian to Royalist, and back again, in the summer of 1643. By the end of the year, King’s Lynn was the strongest fortress town in East Anglia.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, King’s Lynn’s main export was grain, but the town suffered from the demise of the Hanseatic League and the discovery of the Americas, which benefited ports on England’s west coast.

In the late 17th century, imports of wine from France, Spain and Portugal helped King’s Lynn remain wealthy. It was cheaper to transport goods by water than by road at the time and large amounts of coal began to arrive from the north-east of England.

The draining of the Fens (get the story of the drainage of the Fens here ) began in the mid–17th century and the land turned to agriculture, allowing vast amounts of produce to be sent to London’s growing market. King’s Lynn was also flourishing as a major fishing port and by the late 17th century shipbuilding, brewing and glass-making had developed.

The coming of the railway in 1847 ensured King’s Lynn continued to prosper and grow into the town we know today.

How to Get to King’s Lynn

Driving to king’s lynn.

For those travelling from the north of the United Kingdom, pick up the A17 south at Newark-on-Trent and follow the route around the Wash to King’s Lynn. This road is mainly single-carriageway, and there is usually a lot of slow-moving agricultural traffic and trucks, so add a bit of extra time for your journey.

If you’re travelling from the Midlands, you’ll arrive in Norfolk from Peterborough and pick up the A47 north and east to King’s Lynn. From the south, the A10 brings you through Cambridge directly to King’s Lynn.

Getting To King’s Lynn by Public Transport

The county of Norfolk is within easy reach of the rest of the UK, with excellent transport links. The best way to get to King’s Lynn is by mainline train from London, which takes less than two hours. The regular  Greater Anglia  service departs from London King’s Cross every hour or so.

Alternatively, you can take a National Express coach from Victoria Coach Station to King’s Lynn.   This takes around 6.5 hours depending on the time of day, and you will need to change at Norwich, but it’s often much cheaper than the train, especially if you can book in advance.

Getting Around West Norfolk

The Coastliner 36 bus heads from King’s Lynn to Hunstanton, Brancaster , Burnham Market and Holkham before arriving in Wells-next-the-Sea , where you can hop onto the CoastHopper bus to Stiffkey, Morston, Blakeney , Cley, Salthouse, Weybourne, Sheringham , East Runton, West Runton and Cromer, meaning you can get to many of the best spots on the North Norfolk coast by bus.

There is also the regular X44 bus which connects Sheringham to Norwich and Holt , and from there the Norfolk Coastlink service connects Norwich with Great Yarmouth .

How about getting around West Norfolk on a bike? The  Rebellion Way passes through the town and the Norfolk Coast Cycleway  runs from King’s Lynn to Great Yarmouth and follows a network of byways, bridleways and quiet country lanes which are perfect for cycling, and link pretty villages around the county.

These lanes, bordered by fields of wheat, hedgerows and woodlands, see little traffic, which means you can explore the Norfolk coast at a leisurely and safe pace.

You can hire bikes at Coastal Cycle Hire in Snettisham and Wheel Travel , who will deliver your bike to wherever you are in Norfolk!

Map of King’s Lynn Attractions

How to use this map – Use your fingers (or computer mouse) to zoom in and out. Click or touch the icons to get more info about a place, and click the arrow in the box top left to open the index. To add to your own Google Maps account, click the star next to the title of the map.

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Attractions and Places To See around King'S Lynn And West Norfolk - Top 20

King'S Lynn And West Norfolk

Attractions around King'S Lynn And West Norfolk

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Sandringham House and Gardens

Bike Touring Highlight

A famous royal getaway, Sandringham House has served as a private home for royals since 1862 and remains the Queen's favourite country retreat. Surrounded by 20,000 acres of manicured gardens, … read more

• Castle Rising

Built around 1138 by William d'Aubigny II, Castle Rising is a beautiful ruined medieval fortification that has witnessed centuries of fascinating history: from hosting royals to functioning as a hunting … read more

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Castle Acre Castle And Bailey Gate

Hiking Highlight

Castle Acre Castle was built shortly after the Battle of Hastings by the first William de Warenne, a close associate of William the Conqueror. It's an extraordinarily well-preserved example of … read more

Holme Dunes Nature Reserve

Located on the northwest tip of Norfolk where The Wash flows into the North Sea, Holme Dunes nature reserve attracts thousands of migrating birds and diverse wildlife. Look out for … read more

Old Hunstanton Lighthouse

Looking for a unique place to stay in Hunstanton? Look no further than The Old Lighthouse, an iconic building located on the cliffs between Hunstanton and Old Hunstanton. The current … read more

Tip by Dan Hobson

Coastguard Lookout

Originally built as a Marconi Wireless Station back in 1906, the Coastguard Lookout played an important part in both World Wars, intercepting German radio transmissions and tracing the German fleet. … read more

Sandringham Estate

Road Cycling Highlight

Sandringham Estate was famously the Queen's favourite country retreat. Surrounded by 20,000 acres of gardens, parks and woodland, the estate is a beautiful stretch of NCN National Route 1. Practical … read more

Bike Touring Highlight ( Segment )

On a good day this stretch gives good views over the coast and its sandbanks and sea defences. There is an interesting assortment of seaside cottages on the land side. … read more

Castle Acre Priory

This star Norfolk attraction is one of England's most extensive and best-preserved monastic sites. Dating to 1090, it was home to the first Cluniac order of monks in England. There's … read more

Striped Cliffs of Hunstanton

The eye-catching red and white striped cliffs at Hunstanton were formed millions of years ago beneath the sea. The unusual colors are made up of carrstone (sand and iron oxide) … read more

Popular around King'S Lynn And West Norfolk

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Explore the most popular Tours around King'S Lynn And West Norfolk

Are you keen on exploring more awesome places nearby? Browse our guides:

• Terrington Saint Clement
• Little Massingham
• Shouldham Thorpe
• Burnham Overy
• Tilney Saint Lawrence
• Wiggenhall Saint Germans
• Burnham Market
• Runcton Holme
• Burnham Norton
• East Rudham
• Ingoldisthorpe
• Tilney All Saints
• North Runcton
• Downham West
• South Wootton
• West Dereham
• North Creake
• Old Hunstanton
• Holme Dunes National Nature Reserve
• Clenchwarton
• North Wootton
• Stow Bardolph
• Crimplesham
• Flitcham With Appleton
• Holme-Next-The-Sea
• Burnham Thorpe
• East Walton
• Walpole Highway
• Barton Bendish
• South Creake
• Marshland St James
• Sandringham
• Castle Acre
• Wiggenhall Saint Mary Magdalen
• Walpole Cross Keys
• Great Massingham
• Hockwold Cum Wilton
• West Rudham
• Bagthorpe With Barmer
• Downham Market
• West Walton
• Stoke Ferry
• Terrington Saint John

Still not found the Highlight you’re looking for? See guides of the top attractions in other regions:

• North Norfolk
• Great Yarmouth
• South Norfolk District
• Breckland District

West Acre Gardens

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

West Acre Gardens - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• Sun - Sat 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
• (2.42 mi) West Heath Barn
• (3.12 mi) The Pig Shed Motel
• (2.95 mi) The Dabbling Duck
• (5.67 mi) Congham Hall Hotel & Spa
• (8.84 mi) Greenbanks Country Hotel & Restaurant
• (0.81 mi) Apple Cafe
• (6.06 mi) Rasputin
• (5.77 mi) The Station Bar
• (3.09 mi) George & Dragon
• (9.70 mi) King’s Lynn Tandoori

• North Norfolk Coast
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15 Best Things to do in King’s Lynn

If you haven’t been to King’s Lynn, you don’t know what you are missing. It’s a historic town that is well-preserved with no less than 481 listed buildings. For a town of its size, the medieval architecture is unmatched anywhere in the country.

Here are the best things to do in King’s Lynn along with more information and helpful tips to help plan your visit.

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If you plan on spending more than a day in King’s Lynn, we recommend booking either the Bank House or Duke’s Head Hotel . Both hotels provide an ideal base for exploring King’s Lynn and the surrounding area, with plenty of amenities to make your stay comfortable and enjoyable. You can find more details about these hotels in the post below.

History of King’s Lynn

King’s Lynn has gone through a lot of changes over the years including with its name. Originally it was known as ‘Lin’, thought to have come from the Celtic word for a lake or pool since it has been recorded that there was a large tidal lake in the area.

The first medieval town began when Bishop Herbert de Losinga built St. Margaret’s Church (now King’s Lynn Minster) and established a market. The town became prosperous and in 1204, the Bishop John de Grey of Norwich named it Bishop’s Lynn.

Trade flourished along the waterways as it was the easiest way to move for goods. As part of the Hanseatic League, a powerful German trading organisation made up of towns around the Baltic and the North Sea, Bishop’s Lynn grew to be the most important port in England. You can get an idea of the town’s prosperity from the merchant houses and other historic buildings.

After the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII, Bishop’s Lynn had to change its name to Lynn Regis, which then became King’s Lynn. While the official name today is still King’s Lynn, many locals still refer to the town as Lynn.

The English Civil War was a turbulent time for King’s Lynn. In the summer of 1643, there was a bloodless coup and the town become Royalist. A few weeks later, the Parliamentarians captured the town after blockading it by sea and besieging it by land. They refortified the town and made it the strongest fortress in East Anglia.

King’s Lynn is no longer the powerful port it was during medieval times. It suffered from the discovery of the Americas, which benefited ports on England’s west coast. The town was also affected by the growth of London and the invention of the railroads.

In more recent years, the King’s Lynn Preservation Trust has done some excellent work to rescue many historic buildings. It’s helped keep the legacy of the town’s prosperous time still evident for today’s visitors.

Famous People from King’s Lynn

Given the size of King’s Lynn, it is quite impressive to learn about several significant historical figures with strong ties to the town.

Margery Kempe

Margery Kempe (1373 – 1438) was a mystic who is known for writing (through dictation) the first autobiography in English. The Book of Margery Kempe details her life, travels, and experiences of divine revelation. If you are interested in learning more, there is a small exhibit inside King’s Lynn Minster and more information in the Stories of Lynn Museum.

George Vancouver

Captain George Vancouver (1757 – 1798) charted the northwestern coast of North America from Oregon up to Alaska. Before that, he sailed with Captain James Cook on his second and third voyages and was present during the exploration of Hawaii.

Vancouver Island, the city of Vancouver in British Columbia, as well as Vancouver, Washington in the United States, are all named after him. You will find a statue of Vancouver on Purfleet Quay by the Custom House where he worked.

Samuel Gurney Creswell

Samuel Creswell (1827 – 1867) went on a five-year expedition and became the first person to traverse the Northwest passage. He was born in King’s Lynn and his family lived at Bank House on Staithe Square. Bank House is now an upmarket hotel and restaurant (read reviews here ).

Frances Burney

Francis Burney (1752 – 1867) was a satirical novelist, diarist, and playwright who was born in King’s Lynn. She wrote four novels, but Evelina was the most successful and remains the most highly regarded. Most of her plays were not performed in her lifetime.

Alexander Musgrave

Captain Alexander Musgrave was in charge of five ships against the Spanish Armada and brought them all back safely. He received a reward of £100 for his efforts. You can see the house where he lived on King Street.

15 Things to Do in King’s Lynn

King’s Lynn is steeped in history. I have a few suggestions of things to do while you’re in the town so that you can learn more and make the most of your time there.

All of these ideas are within walking distance, so you won’t need a car. While some attractions are free, most are affordable. It’s a budget-friendly place to visit.

Note: If you are on a budget, be sure to check out our suggestions for the best free things to do in Norfolk .

#1 Take a King’s Lynn Town Walk

If you want to learn more about King’s Lynn’s history, the King’s Lynn Town Guides provide tours from April to October . We took one of their regular walks and learned some interesting facts.

While it doesn’t include going inside any buildings, the stories the guides tell make it worthwhile. At only £5 per adult, they are a bargain! The guides are volunteers so all the money collected for these tours goes to further the conservation and promotion of the town. Get more information here .

Those that prefer to do something self-paced can download the Stories of Lynn app (on the app store here or on google play here ) which has walking tours.

There is also the King’s Lynn Maritime Trail. It starts at True’s Yard Fisherfolk Museum and ends at Marriott Warehouse. You can purchase a guide for 50p from the Tourist Information Centre or True’s Yard Fisherfolk Museum.

#2 St. George’s Guildhall

King’s Lynn is home to England’s largest surviving medieval Guildhall and Britain’s oldest working theatre. If that’s not enough to make it noteworthy, it is the only theatre in the world that can claim that Shakespeare performed there.

You can go inside the Guildhall, there is no admission charge. When we visited, we were greeted by a volunteer who took us into the theatre. The first thing I noticed was the ceiling which is heavy on the wood as given the area’s history, it may have been done by a ship builder.

Although the vaulted ceiling of the theatre is beautiful, it is so overengineered with wooden rafters that it caused the walls to slant. Left to their own devices, the walls would have bowed out and the roof collapsed long ago, but they were shored up from the outside later by adding buttresses.

The huge roof has created a large open space with very good acoustics. Any budding stage actors can read a passage from Hamlet to test them out.

Our volunteer tour guide also told us about the history of the building. The first performance was a nativity in 1445. The Queen’s Players used the theatre in 1585 and 1595. In 1593, the Earl of Pembroke’s Men, which included Shakespeare, played at the Guildhall as theatres in London were closed due to the plague.

Robert Armin, the comedic actor that created the roles fool in King Lear, Feste in Twelfth Night, Porter in MacBeth, and more, was born in King’s Lynn. He was very close to Shakespeare and may have convinced him to use St. George’s Guildhall.

Throughout the years, the building has also been used as a gunpowder store (during the Civil War), courthouse, playhouse, and wool warehouse. In 1945, the building was saved from demolition by Alexander Penrose.

It’s not cheap to restore and maintain a historic building like this so they sold seats to raise more money. At the back of the theatre, you can see the names of the people who purchased them. I was surprised to see several names that I recognized, including Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Mary (the Queen’s grandmother), Viscount Althorpe (Princess Diana’s father), and Benjamin Britten (a composer).

Volunteers open the theatre for visitors from 10:00 to 15:00, Monday to Saturday.

Get more information here .

#3 Admire King’s Lynn Minster

By the area called the Saturday Market Place in the heart of King’s Lynn, you will find the Minster. It was founded by the first Bishop of Norwich, Herbert de Losinga, in 1101, as the Church of St Margaret of Antioch, St Mary Magdalene and all the Virgin Saints. He also founded Norwich Cathedral and the Church of St. Nicholas in Great Yarmouth .

For 400 years St. Margaret’s was home to monks as well as the parish church for the town. You can still see traces of a small priory next to the church, where the four Benedictine monks “seconded” from Norwich Cathedral Priory lived in the cottages bordering the churchyard.

After the dissolution of the monasteries, it remained the parish church for King’s Lynn. In 2011, the Bishop of Norwich designated this church a Minster Church, so don’t be surprised to hear locals still call it St. Margaret’s.

Not much remains of the original church. It has been rebuilt and restored several times over the years so you will see several architectural styles including 14th century Decorated Gothic and 15th century Perpendicular Gothic. You may notice that the Minster does not have a spire. It fell off during a storm in 1741.

On the tower opposite the clock, there is a Moon Dial which shows the phases of the moon and the tide times. The tide was important to a town that was a Hanseatic port and made its money on trade. While the clock and the moon phases looked to be accurate, the tide times seemed to be a bit off, which isn’t surprising given it dates to 1683.

Inside the Minster, you can see why it’s not just a parish church. I was in awe of the reredos behind the altar as it seemed to be glowing. They also have sixteen late 14th century misericords and a large collection of brasses. It’s also worth taking a look at the font to see the damage done by Puritans during the Civil War.

The Minster is open for visitors and private prayer from 8:30 to 18:00 daily. If you can’t make it to King’s Lynn Minster, you can take a virtual tour here .

#4 Visit the Lynn Museum

Inside the Lynn Museum, you will find many diverse artifacts, artwork from prominent local artists, and interactive features to entertain the whole family. It may be best known for its Seahenge display where you can see the remains of a unique timber circle dating back over 4,000 years to the Early Bronze Age. The henge was discovered at Holme Beach in 1998.

The museum is located next to the King’s Lynn bus station inside the former Union Baptist Chapel. They offer free admission from October to March .

You can find the current hours and admission prices (April through September)  here .

#5 See St. Nicholas Chapel

St. Nicholas Chapel is the largest Chapel of Ease in England. This means that St Nicholas does not serve its own Parish, instead it is subject to the Parish Church at St Margaret’s Priory (aka King’s Lynn Minster), and has the same legal status as a side chapel inside that building.

The building’s grand scale reflects the significance of King’s Lynn as one of the main port towns of medieval England. It was built in the early perpendicular style in the late 14th to early 15th centuries incorporating the stone tower (dating around 1225) from earlier churches on the site.

The spire blew down during a storm in 1741 and was replaced by a wooden octagon the next year. The spire you see today was designed by George Gilbert Scott and installed in 1870.

The church is best known for its angel roof. Twenty-four oak angels fly from the wooden beams above each window. Some are playing musical instruments, while the rest are holding religious symbols. In the sanctuary, you will find the only painted roof timbers and two wingless angels who are acting as assistants to a Mass service.

Also, inside St. Nicholas Chapel you can see the spread eagle brass lectern, which is one of only 45 in England dating from before the English Reformation. They also have a large collection of 17th and 18th century monuments for merchants, officials and tradesmen.

While St Nicholas had the largest congregation in King’s Lynn in 1868, by 1989 the congregation was very small and the church was declared redundant. Since 1992 the Churches Conservation Trust has been caring for the chapel.

During our visit in June 2021, St. Nicholas Chapel was not open. We could only admire the chapel from outside. Hopefully, they will be able to find volunteers to be able to open soon. Check the latest status here .

#6 Visit the Stories of Lynn Museum

Learn more about the history of King’s Lynn at the fun and interactive Stories of Lynn Museum. One of their most prized artefacts on display is the famous King John Cup, a 14th-century chalice, extravagantly decorated in gilt and enamel. It also has some elaborate mayoral regalia and the 18th-century gaol house.

It’s a popular attraction for children as they can dress up in mayoral robes and see place settings of meals that Lynn’s mayors would have enjoyed over the years. In the gaol house, they can explore the dark dungeons, dress up as gaolers and prisoners, and see a ducking stool. They will also get to know some of King Lynn’s most celebrated characters like Frances (Fanny) Burney and Margery Kempe who come to life on the walls to share their stories.

If you visit on a Tuesday or Sunday, you can also tour some historic rooms in the King’s Lynn Town Hall complex including the 15th-century Trinity Guildhall, Georgian Assembly Room, and Court Room.

Find out opening hours and current admission prices here .

#7 See the Custom House

The Custom House is the architectural symbol of King’s Lynn. It was commissioned in 1683 by Sir John Turner, a local wine merchant, and built to be a merchant’s exchange. The building was designed by Henry Bell. The ground floor was the exchange and the first floor was the customs office.

The top of the Custom House used to have a bell. Around the outside you see several different stone carvings including Charles II, Cyrus the god of corn, Bacchus the god of wine, Sir John Turner’s wife, and the Turner family coat of arms.

The Custom House was occupied by HM Customs and Excise until 1989 when it passed into private ownership. It is leased by the Council and used to have a Tourist Information Centre and small museum inside, but the Tourist Information Centre is now located by the Saturday Market.

Update : As of February 2023, the Greyfriars Art Space group still holds exhibitions at the Custom House from Wednesdays to Saturdays. Please check their Facebook page here to confirm before heading out.

#8 Go to True’s Yard Fisherfolk Museum

The home of King’s Lynn’s fishing community was the North Ward, where you can now find True’s Yard Fishing Heritage Museum. It is named for William True, who purchased the property in 1818.

Here you can learn about the stories of the families that lived and worked in the old fishing quarter. You can explore the last two surviving fisherfolk cottages, an original Victorian smokehouse, a fully restored and rigged 1904 Lynn fishing smack called Activity, and a blacksmith’s forge called the Old Smithy.

The museum also has a tearoom and gift shop. Guided tours of the Museum and the North End are available on Wednesdays from June to September.

Find out open hours and current admission prices here .

#9 Enjoy a Performance at the Corn Exchange

The Corn Exchange built in 1854 has been converted into a concert hall. This versatile modern venue hosts theatre, comedy, touring musicals, and concerts. There is also an onsite coffee shop.

Click  here  to check the calendar.

#10 Learn more about Gin

King’s Lynn has an award-winning distillery in a historic building in it’s town centre. At WhataHoot, they make gin (and vodka) in small batches as every bottle is hand-distilled. You can get your supplies of WhataHoot products as well as a range of local artisan produce at their ground floor ‘Pantry’ shop.

They also offer special experiences for gin enthusiasts including tastings, masterclasses in their Gin School and Spirit Lounge, and distillery tours. You can even make your own personally branded bottle of gin.

Get more information here.

#11 Visit Marriott’s Warehouse

This Grade II Listed Building dates from the 1580s. The lower story was built in stone to give it protection from the tides. Now the ground level is a restaurant, but upstairs there is a display about how King’s Lynn was built and rebuilt over the last 900 years including a miniature model of the town.

#12 Admire the Art

As you walk around King’s Lynn you will notice that there are some interesting pieces of art in some places. It’s not just the classic art (like the statue of George Vancouver) that you might expect to see in a historic town, there are several modern installations.

Half Fathom Column – This bronze column (pictured above) by Andrew Schumann has ripples that represent the surface movements on the River Great Ouse and a flashing light on top blinking like warning buoys afloat on the Wash. The height of the column shows the distance between high and low tides. You can find this piece in the South Quay area.

Globe – The Globe by William Jolly was cast to celebrate the centenary of the South Lynn company Cooper Roller Bearings. It symbolizes George Vancouver’s historic voyages and King’s Lynn’s aspirations to ‘regenerate’ by engaging in the global economy. You can find this work by the Vancouver Shopping Centre.

Archilenses – By the edge of the River Great Ouse there is a glass panel with inlaid magnifying lenses which distort and change the view of the river. Thibault Zambeaux developed the panel from an earlier, 2013 installation in Paris.

Note : In August 2021, Banksy added a tongue and an ice cream made from part of a traffic cone and some expanding foam filler to the statue of Frederick Savage. Before Banksy confirmed that it was his, people complained and the council had it removed. Read more about Banksy’s artwork in Norfolk here .

#12 See Greyfriar’s Tower

This striking bell tower is the only above ground remains of the medieval Franciscan friary which was closed in 1538 by Henry VIII. There are only two other Franciscan bell towers left in England – one in Coventry and one in Richmond – but this one in King’s Lynn is the finest and it’s free to visit.

Greyfriar’s Tower stands 28 metres tall and was built (and altered) from the 13th to 15th centuries. For centuries, it helped guide sailors navigating the difficult waters nearby.

While you can’t climb up the tower, it’s worth walking under the arch. Here you can see the arched roof with some elaborate carved stone figures, including angels, a bishop’s head, and a friar.

In the Tower Gardens, there are several information boards and a model of the friary so that you can get an idea of what it would have looked like in its prime. Close by, you will find the Bank Lane Arches Garden. The gardens were designed to mark the coronation of King George V in 1911 and the arches came from a building on Bank Lane/Ferry Street that was demolished in 1910.

#13 Enjoy The Walks

The Walks is an historic urban park in the heart of King’s Lynn. It was first conceived as a single promenade that would allow citizens to get away from the smell, grime and bustle of the town centre but has grown into much more. As Norfolk’s only surviving 18th century town walk, it was designated a Grade II historic park by English Heritage in 1998.

When you visit the Walks, be sure to check out these features:

Broad Walk – This avenue runs from London Road to Tennyson Road. It has lime, horse chestnut, and plane trees along both sides. The last section was laid out in 1843.

Red Mount Chapel – The late 15th century Red Mount Chapel was a wayside chapel for pilgrims heading to Walsingham and is a Scheduled Ancient monument/Grade I listed building. Entry is free. Check the website here for opening hours.

Bandstand – In the 1920s, a new ornamental garden, named after Captain George Vancouver, was added. It included this octagonal bandstand. On Sundays during the summer months, there are concerts between 14:00 and 16:00.

Guannock Gate – Originally part of the town’s defences, which included banks, ditches, walls, this gate was demolished in 1803 and re-erected as a landscape feature in 1816.

The Walks is also home to King’s Lynn’s football team known as the Linnets. The club has played at this ground (capacity 6,000) since 1879. In its early years, it was one of the strongest teams in the country, but now they are members of the National League, the fifth tier of English football.

#14 Take the Ferry

You can take a ferry across the River Great Ouse between the historic centre of King’s Lynn and West Lynn to get a different view of the quayside area. The first recorded service of this Lynn ferry dates back to 1285, making it one of the oldest recorded services in England.

The ferry could be a convenient way to get to the town centre without having to drive or park there. Get fare and schedule information here .

#15 Admire the Clifton House

Clifton House is a Grade-I listed building and the most important merchant house in King’s Lynn. It’s located right in the heart of the town and has well-maintained historic interiors dating from the 13th to the 18th centuries. Some highlights include two tiled floors from the 13th century, the 14th-century vaulted undercroft, the five-storey Elizabethan tower, and a series of rooms created by the architect Henry Bell in 1700.

The house is a privately owned family home, so unless you are lucky enough to be visiting on the select days when they offer tours, you will have to admire it from the outside.

Festivals in King’s Lynn

Throughout the year, there are several popular festivals held in King’s Lynn. Time your visit right and you can treat yourself to a special experience.

King’s Lynn Festival – Now in its 70th year, this festival offers classical music, recitals, choral performances, jazz music, talks, walks, exhibitions and films during late July.

Hanse Festival – For two days in May , the Hanse Festival celebrates the town’s maritime heritage and its links with the German International Hanse League. Some of the special events include a Parade of Flags’ showcasing all of the Hanseatic countries, King’s Lynn Hanse Regatta, Discover Hanseatic Lynn walks, and lectures at Marriott’s Warehouse.

The Mart – For a period of two weeks each year, starting on (or around) Valentine’s Day, the Tuesday Market Place, one of England’s grandest squares, turns into a funfair. The Mart is a tribute to the great work of Frederick Savage, who worked with the Showmen’s Guild to develop new fairground rides.

Things to Do Near King’s Lynn

King’s Lynn could be a good place to base yourself to explore more of the North Norfolk Coast and West Norfolk. Here are ideas for a few castles , beaches, and more that you can visit within a 30 minute drive. (Note: This is not a comprehensive list of places near King’s Lynn!)

Castle Rising

Castle Rising Castle is one of the most famous 12th-century castles in England because the stone keep is mostly intact and it is surrounded by massive earthworks. In the 14th century, Queen Isabella, widow (and alleged murderess) of Edward II lived here. English Heritage members can visit for free. 

Get more information about English Heritage membership here.

Get more information about visiting Castle Rising  here .

Sandringham

Sandringham is the beloved country retreat for King Charles III. During the spring, summer, and autumn , you can tour the house and visit the gardens. The Royal Park includes almost 243 hectares with some well-marked walking trails. There is also a new Children’s Adventure Play Area inspired by the Duchess of Cambridge’s 2019 Chelsea Flower Show garden.

Get more information  here .

Castle Acre

Castle Acre is a small village home to ruins of a castle and priory. The main road into the village still runs through the Bailey Gate, which is one of two stone gatehouses added to the massive earthwork defences around 1200.

The motte and bailey castle was founded in the 11th century by William de Warenne, a close associate of William the Conqueror. The Castle Acre Priory was the home of England’s first Cluniac order of monks.

Both the Castle and Priory are English Heritage sites so free for members. Non-members can visit the Castle for free but will need to pay for parking and admission to the Priory.  Get more information about English Heritage membership here.

Get more information about visiting Castle Acre Castle and Priory  here .

Houghton Hall

Houghton Hall was built in the early 18th century for Great Britain’s first Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole. It’s one of the finest examples of Palladian architecture in the country and was designed by prominent Georgian architects Colen Campbell and James Gibbs. The estate passed to the Cholmondeley family at the end of the 18th Century and remains a family home.

It has been open to the public since 1976. The grounds are lovely to walk around and you don’t want to miss the fantastic five-acre walled garden. In recent years, they have hosted contemporary art exhibits, like Tony Cragg at Houghton Hall and Chris Levine in 2021.

You don’t have to travel to Africa to go on a safari, there is Watatunga, less than 6 miles from King’s Lynn. Here you can drive a golf cart (with the rest of your party onboard) as part of a 90-minute tour through the wildlife reserve.

The landscape feels like somewhere exotic with 170 acres of woodland, grassland, and lakes. You will be able to see many different types of deer and birds. It’s also interesting to learn about all the conservation work taking place at Watatunga.

They offer 4 and 6-person carts, but you will need to book in advance. Read reviews of Watatunga on Tripadvisor  here  and book your safari  here .

North Norfolk Coast Beaches

There are several beaches within a 30-minute drive from King’s Lynn . The most popular is Hunstanton which also has a promenade and many family-friendly attractions. Heacham is another option, that is a bit closer to King’s Lynn. The north beach there has an amusement arcade, café and fish bar, and beach huts for hire.

Read more about the best beaches in Norfolk .

How Long Should You Spend in King’s Lynn?

You can see most of King’s Lynn in a day but it will be rushed. Consider staying for a weekend or more, as it could also make a good base to explore more of the North Norfolk coast.

How to Get to King’s Lynn

King’s Lynn has good public transportation links, but if you want to see more of the area around King’s Lynn you might want to consider driving so you will have more flexibility.

From London or Cambridge , it’s easiest to take the train. The line runs from King’s Cross to King’s Lynn, so there is no need to change trains. Be sure to book your ticket in advance here to get the best price.

From Norwich there is no direct train, so you will have to switch in Ely or you can take a direct bus from the Norwich Bus Station. Either option will take about two hours.

You can also drive to King’s Lynn. From Norwich, you go on the A47 which takes about an hour. It takes about the same amount of time from Cambridge, you just go on the A10.

You can park in the Tuesday Market Place or the Church Street NCP car park. They are both pay and display.

Where to Stay in King’s Lynn

King’s Lynn has some lovely historic hotels conveniently located in the heart of the town centre. Whether you’re looking for a touch of luxury or a comfortable and convenient base from which to explore the town, we have a few recommendations for a memorable stay.

Bank House Hotel

This stunning Grade II listed Georgian townhouse was described by Sir Nikolaus Pevsner as one of the finest houses in King’s Lynn. In the 1780s Joseph Gurney set up his first bank here, which via mergers and acquisitions became Barclays Bank. Bank House was also home to the explorer, Samuel Gurney Creswell.

They have 12 stylish bedrooms with modern amenities. Many of these have river views. The hotel is just a short walk from the town’s historic waterfront and offers easy access to the town’s many shops, restaurants, and attractions.

Check prices and availability here .

Duke’s Head Hotel

You can’t miss the striking powder-blue façade in the Tuesday Market Place. Like the Custom House, it was designed by Henry Bell in 1683. The classical Grade II listed building has been restored and restyled for today’s travellers. Since Georgian times, this 4-star hotel has welcomed visitors like Sir Robert Walpole, Britain’s first Prime Minister.

The hotel is just a stone’s throw away from the historic King’s Lynn Corn Exchange, so it’s ideal when you have tickets to a show.

For more accommodation options in King’s Lynn, check out the map below.

Is King’s Lynn a good place to take the kids?

Yes. The town has several kid-friendly attractions. Children will enjoy the interactive exhibits at the museums. The Walks offer plenty of space for the little ones to run around. Get more ideas for things to do with kids in Norfolk here.

Is King’s Lynn Worth Visiting?

Yes. The town will surprise you with many charming historic buildings and interesting stories. There are plenty of memorable things to do in the town centre. It’s also a convenient location to use as your base to see more of Norfolk.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. This means we will receive a small commission for some purchases made using links in our blog with no additional cost to you.  Please be assured we would not promote any product unless we believe that our readers will also benefit.  The commission does not influence the editorial content of this site.

Thanks to Visit West Norfolk and the King’s Lynn Town Guides for inviting us to join a guided walk.

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King’s Lynn

Brim full of history and with a vibrant town centre, King’s Lynn is the ideal destination to spend a few nights, enjoying the superb mix of history, shopping and entertainment on offer.

The  Hanseatic  town of King’s Lynn was one of England’s most important ports from as early as the 12th century and this maritime past is still very much in evidence today. Fine old merchants’ houses stretch down to the river between cobbled lanes and the elegant Custom House overlooks the harbour. The town’s heritage is reflected in an amazing array of  historic buildings  and at two magnificent market places: Saturday Market Place, where St Margaret’s Church , designated as a Minster Church in 2011 by the Bishop of Norwich, is surrounded by splendid buildings and Tuesday Market Place, quite possibly one of England’s grandest squares.

Visitors can discover the story of King’s Lynn by visiting a host of heritage sites and attractions, best discovered with the help of the free guide  Discover King’s Lynn  or by joining a  guided tour . The town’s Hanseatic history and trading links with Europe can be discovered on the self-guided Hanse Trail . The story of the town’s maritime trade, its fishing communities and its famous navigators can be explored on the Maritime Trail , or take a trip on the King’s Lynn ferry to see the maritime landscape of the King’s Lynn quayside and town from the banks of west Lynn.

Alternatively, you can embark on a town-based trail to trace the journey of pilgrims who passed through Lynn on their way to the Shrine of Our Lady at Walsingham in medieval times.

Copies of all these trails and walks are available to download from our  Guides and Publications page .

King’s Lynn offers a fine programme of cultural and entertainment events and facilities including the impressive live entertainment venue of the  Alive Corn Exchange , performances and special events at the King’s Lynn Arts Centre and the Majestic Cinema. The renowned King’s Lynn Festival and popular free festival ‘Festival Too’ are just some of the great events in this  festival town . The town’s added sports and leisure facilities and its award winning park and gardens all add to the experience that visitors can enjoy.

King’s Lynn’s popular town centre offers an extensive pedestrianised shopping area with ample parking close by. The Vancouver Quarter offers a modern shopping experience that sits well next to the traditional shopping areas of the town and are complemented by the markets which often take place on the historic Tuesday Market Place.

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Tower Gardens

Find out about the history of the Tower Gardens in King's Lynn

Tower Gardens general information

Tower Gardens is closed at dusk, and open from 8 am each morning, There is no charge for admission.

Location 

It's located on Saint James Road

There is not dedicated parking. The nearest car park is the St James Multi Storey

Disabled access

Most areas of the park are accessible with a wheelchair.

RNIB react unit is located at the entrance nearest the police station.

Facilities and features

The Tower Gardens has the following features and facilities:

• War Memorial
• Greyfriars Tower
• temporary Lynn Lumiere installation

The history of the Tower Gardens

Of the 60 Franciscan friaries that existed in England prior to the suppression in 1538, significant remains of only 16 exist. Greyfriars Tower is one of only three remaining in the country, and is the most attractive and complete.

The tower is a key landmark in King's Lynn. It owes its survival to this as, for centuries, it proved useful as a seamark for traders and sailors navigating the difficult waters of the Wash. Grade I listed/Scheduled Ancient Monument status, the tower is located in the attractive Tower Gardens on land formerly within the boundary of the friary. The gardens were laid out in 1911 to mark the coronation of King George V. They also contain the public library completed in 1905, and the King's Lynn War Memorial, designed in 1921. The Tower Gardens have been remodelled utilising hard landscaping. This is to indicate the location and extent of the nave, north aisle, chancel, cloister walks and chapter house, enhancing interpretation and awareness of the complex. With the benefit of Heritage Lottery Fund and English Heritage funding, restoration and enhancement of the leaning tower and gardens was completed in 2006.

To date Greyfriars Tower has received the following awards:

• The Mayor's Award for Design in the Environment 2006 - Category; Restoration 
• Civic Pride and Monuments Green Apple Silver Award presented by the Green Organisation in 2007
• The RIBA East Spirit of Ingenuity Heritage Award 2007
• The RIBA East Spirit of Ingenuity Public Sector Award 2007
• Campaign to Protect Rural England Norfolk Environmental and Architectural Award
• Greyfriars Tower was a finalist in the first series of the BBC2 programme Restoration

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Adventure Awaits

Discover the Best Things to Do in Kings Lynn

Are you planning a trip to Kings Lynn in England? The town has all kinds of interesting activities suitable for travellers, from tourists looking to explore the area’s rich history and culture to outdoor adventurers looking for exciting activities and scenery.

No matter your interests or travel style, there are many things to do in Kings Lynn. Here are some of the best things first-time visitors should check out during their stay.

Things to do in Kings Lynn Contents

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Where is King’s Lynn

King’s Lynn is a small port town located at the mouth of the River Great Ouse in Norfolk, East Anglia, England. Its historical importance goes back centuries, making it a great destination for visitors interested in British culture and architecture. Also known as the Gateway to West Norfolk, there are plenty of things to do in Kings Lynn that will suit all sorts of travellers, from families to couples. 

If you’re wondering whether Kings Lynn is worth visiting, it is. The quaint village-like town has plenty of things to do, from markets to castles. Take a stroll down the river or catch some rays on the beach. There are many fun things to do in Kings Lynn that makes a worthwhile visit to Norfolk. 

Things to Do in King’s Lynn

Lynn museum.

Lynn Museum  is a great place to visit for first-timers in Kings Lynn. Located in the heart of the town, this nineteenth-century museum offers a fascinating insight into the history and culture of this vibrant Norfolk market town. The museum houses an impressive collection of artefacts, from archaeological finds to fine art and costume collections. Drop by to explore the displays of local history, the interesting story of Sea Henge, or the collection of early coins. Many of the exhibitions are interactive and great for entertaining children.

Best of all, visiting the Lynn museum is free from the start of October until the end of March. Even outside the winter, entrance will only cost you just over £5, making this one of the best things to do in King’s Lynn.

Sandringham House and Gardens

Sandringham House and Gardens is a must-see for first-time visitors to Kings Lynn. Located in the heart of Norfolk, this royal estate has been the private home of four generations of British monarchs since 1862. The house is a stunning example of 19th-century architecture, with its grand façade and beautiful gardens over 600 acres of land. 

The grounds are an Outstanding National Beauty area and are one of the best things to do in Kings Lynn for families. Enjoy a stroll through one of the two woodland and forestry trails around the Royal Parkland and stop at the children’s play area. Sandringham House or Gardens are open from April onwards, but there are special winter gardens, walks or afternoon tea events at other times of the year. 

Snettisham Park

Snettisham Park is a great place to visit for people who love the outdoors. Located just outside of the town centre, Snettisham Park is the perfect place to visit when looking for things to do in Kings Lynn. A beautiful country park that offers visitors plenty of activities and attractions.

The park has a large lake, home to many species of birds and wildlife, making it perfect for birdwatchers and nature lovers. As a working farm, there is also the opportunity to bottle feed lambs, collect fresh eggs or take a countryside walk—factor in a stop by the delightful tea room for a refreshing end to your visit. 

From February onwards, the park also offers a deer safari. Ensure to book tickets in advance to avoid disappointment. During my visit I saved money by buying combination farm entry and deer safari tickets on Buyagift.com.

Castle Rising 

One of the most popular attractions is the grounds at Castle Rising. This 12th-century castle is a great place to explore and learn about the history of Kings Lynn. 

The castle is surrounded by a large moat and has a great view of the surrounding countryside. Inside, visitors can explore the Great Hall, Chapel, and other rooms that were once used by royalty. There are also many artefacts from the castle’s past on display.

The grounds are open to the public from April through October, so it’s a great way to spend an afternoon or evening. Visitors can also take part in guided tours of the grounds and learn about the history of Castle Rising. 

Explore Lynn Minster

Lynn Minster is a great place to explore for first-time visitors to Kings Lynn. Located in the heart of the town, it is a historic landmark that dates back to the 12th century. Being so centrally located has the added perk of being able to stop by for a visit as you’re shopping at the Saturday market. 

The site includes St Margaret’s Church, which was built in 1101 and is one of the oldest churches in England. It also has a museum, which houses artefacts from the area. 

Visit the King’s Lynn Town Hall

This impressive building dates back to 1520 and is one of the oldest civic buildings in England. It houses a museum, art gallery, and theatre, making it a great place for first-time visitors to King’s Lynn. The Town Hall is located in the center of the town and is a Grade I listed building. Inside you can explore the history of King’s Lynn through its many exhibits, including artefacts from the medieval period and more recent times. There are also regular art exhibitions and performances at the theatre. 

Shop at the Hunstanton Market 

You can also find Huntanston markets in the Southend car park on the seafront during summer. Hunstanton is a seaside larger, so these markets tend to be a summer thing. They’re open on Sundays and Bank holidays Mondays. You can also visit the Hunstanton indoor market during early winter at Hunstanton Town Hall. 

If you’re looking for things to do in King’s Lynn itself, be aware of heading to Tuesday or Saturday market street expecting to shop a selection of wares. Misleadingly, there are no markets on these streets, as the local tourism office grumpily explained to me when I asked!  

Explore Castle Acre

If you’re a first-time visitor to Kings Lynn, exploring Castle Acre is a must. Located just outside the town, this 11th-century castle and its surrounding village are steeped in history. The castle was built by William de Warenne, the first Earl of Surrey, and it is one of England’s best-preserved Norman castles.

The castle grounds are also home to several other historical sites, including the ruins of St. James’ Church and the remains of a medieval priory. The village is full of quaint cottages and cobbled streets, making it an ideal spot for a stroll.

Venture the historical sightseeing walk

If you’re looking for the best things to do in Kings Lynn then grab a tourist map and follow the red trail throughout the town. Not only will this short walk help you to see all of the major historical buildings and landmarks in King’s Lynn, but it will also get your step count up for the weekend! Highlights include the Greyfriars Tower, Tower Gardens and a walk along the river bank.

Best beaches near Kings Lynn

Kings Lynn is a great destination for beach lovers, with plenty of stunning beaches to explore. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing day by the sea or an adventure-filled day of swimming and sunbathing, Kings Lynn has something for everyone. Here are some of the best beaches near Kings Lynn that first-timers should check out:

Hunstanton Beach

This stunning beach is just a short drive away from Kings Lynn and is perfect for those looking to relax and enjoy the sun. With its golden sand and clear blue waters, Hunstanton Beach is the ideal spot for swimming, sunbathing, or simply taking in the views. 

Hunstanton beach is unusual in that it has eye-catching cliffs framed with smaller rocks and boulders. The cliff formations, rock pools and shipwreck make for an interesting stroll. However, if you’re looking to relax, you will enjoy the long length of golden sand. This beach is also great for watching the sunset on clear days. 

Dogs are also welcome all year round on the strip of beach running south from the slipway at The Boat House Café. However, the main beach has dog restrictions during the summer months. 

Cromer Beach

This popular beach is just a few miles from Kings Lynn and offers plenty of activities for first-time visitors. Cromer Beach is a great spot for swimming, sunbathing, and beachcombing, with many people stopping by the pier to see the Royal National Lifeguard launch. During the peak season, you can also visit the Lifeboat station and museum. 

The pebble-sand mix is great to walk across, and pretty colourful chalets are used during the summer. This beach also welcomes dogs out of season (1st May – 30th September), so you can take your furry friend. 

There are places to shower and bathrooms along Cromer beach, so you can easily set up for an enjoyable day. There are also plenty of places to eat and drink along the promenade and throughout the town. 

Wells-by-the-SEA

Wells by the Sea is a great destination for first-time visitors to King’s Lynn. Located 45 minutes from King’s Lynn, this picturesque beach offers plenty of activities and attractions. From looking for gifts and decor on the shopping street to a ride on the light railway, there are plenty of things to do in the town. 

Take a walk across the sandy beach, admire the colourful stilted chalets, or watch the royal lifeguards head out from the dock. Many people also catch crabs from the dockside, although this is not an activity I recommend or support. You can also continue your walk alongside the pathway with views of the surrounding marshes. 

Dogs are not permitted on the first 200 yards of the eastern entrance to Wells beach. However, you can freely walk your dog to the west end of the car park. During summer, you will be restricted to walking your dog before 8 am or after 6 pm, and you will need to keep them on a lead. 

How Long Should You Spend in King’s Lynn?

If you’re a first-time visitor to King’s Lynn, you may wonder how long you should stay in the area. The answer depends on the activities and attractions you’re interested in.

If you’re looking for a relaxing break, two or three days is plenty of time to explore the town and its surroundings. 

Where to Stay in King’s Lynn

If planning a visit to King’s Lynn, you must first decide where to stay. The town has many accommodation options, from budget-friendly B&Bs and guesthouses to luxury hotels. The Duke’s Head Hotel is one of the best places to stay in King’s Lynn. I stayed in this historic hotel, which did fantastic food, and was located in the heart of the town. The staff were friendly and accommodating, and I really enjoyed my stay.

Best things to do in Kings Lynn in Summary

If you’ve got to the summary, you’ll have discovered the best things to do in Kings Lynn by now. If you’re visiting this lovely historic port town, be sure to also factor in time to see the nearby beaches, farms and historical grounds. Most of all, enjoy your visit. 

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About the author

I'm Kerry, a Veggie travel enthusiast with a passion for adventure, nature, wildlife and the good old outdoors. I write about exciting bucket list travel destinations to give you inspiration and ideas for your next trip.

I really enjoyed my time in kings lynn, the town was filled with plenty of beautiful buildings and amazing little pubs and bars..

The beach was a pleasant walk too. I would definitely recommend beer world for the alcohol enthusiast.

Beautiful blog by the way.

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