With origins dating back to the 12th century, the town’s past wealth and development is closely associated with maritime trading links – evidence of which still exists today. King’s Lynn has an impressive range of visitor attractions which tell of the town’s fascinating and often colourful past.
Start at the Stories of Lynn family attraction based within the Town Hall complex, where stories of seafarers, explorers, mayors and miscreants who have shaped King’s Lynn are vividly explored.
Stroll along the river and you will find the Green Quay, housed in the beautifully converted Marriott’s Warehouse. This discovery centre highlights the unique wildlife of The Wash.
Further along the river, you will come across the magnificent Custom House which houses rotating exhibitions and a free maritime museum on the first floor. The ground floor is home to the award-winning tourist information centre (please note: The Custom House is currently under refurbishment, with the King’s Lynn TIC relocated to the King’s Lynn Town Hall on Saturday Market Place).
Walk through the popular shopping centre to find the Lynn Museum, where the displays of archaeology and history, dating from pre-historic times, take you even further back into the town’s past.
You will be following in some very famous footsteps – evidence supports the view that Shakespeare played in the town (at the Guildhall of St George), with Daniel Defoe also being a visitor (a grave stone in St Nicholas’s Chapel being of a certain “Robinson Cruso”).
At the end of the trail you’ll come face to face with King’s Lynn’s maritime past at True’s Yard Fisherfolk Museum. Two faithfully restored cottages help recreate the story of how life was lived by the 19th North End fisher folk of Lynn.
The town is brim full of historic buildings, streets and courtyards to explore. If you visit the town centre after dusk you may well find the renowned Lynn Lumiere illuminations on display (mostly during the darker off-season months, but rolling illuminations can often be seen throughout the year): a set of colourful moving portraits of the town’s history, projected on four of our architectural wonders, that is well worth seeing.
In King’s Lynn’s historic public park The Walks, the 17 hectare park boasts a unique 15th century chapel, The Red Mount Chapel (a Grade II-listed church) as well as beautiful landscaping, a children’s play area, toilets and a café. Red Mount Chapel is currently closed to visitors
Further to the south of the town the South Gate be found on London Road, this large gateway to the town was built in the 15th Century and proves to be popular with visitors to this day. The South Gate is currently closed to visitors
If you’re after a different view of the town then don’t miss the annual Heritage Open Day in September. Buildings and areas not normally open to the public throw open their doors over a weekend and provide an exclusive opportunity to experience some rather unique sights.
There are several Arts and Entertainment venues in the town where you will find a lively programme including concerts, opera, live theatre, children’s shows and top comedians.
Discover the Pilgrimage trail through King’s Lynn or take the heritage trail in our popular Discover King’s Lynn tourist guide (both guides available to either pickup from the local Tourist Information Centre or for free download before your visit).
Just a short drive outside of King’s Lynn town centre you will find Watatunga Wildlife Reserve, a stunning new wildlife reserve in west Norfolk. Situated amongst 170 acres of woodland, grassland and lakes, Watatunga provides a unique environment for over twenty types of ungulate and rare bird species to roam at their will.
