There is a lively arts scene in King’s Lynn, providing high quality live entertainment throughout the region. Whatever your taste you will find something to suit, be it a small intimate play, top comedy, cinema or music. King’s Lynn has a wide range of facilities for those who like to keep active, including The Hanger Climbing Centre and King’s Lynn Golf Course. The GroundWork Gallery (opposite the spectacular Custom House building) offers a wide range of cutting edge exhibitions of contemporary arts which show how art can enable us to respond to our changing environment and shape its future.
Throughout the year King’s Lynn also has a range of annual festivals and events from Hanse International festival celebrating our Hanseatic heritage to Festival Too and King’s Lynn Festival, Heritage Open Day, and much more.
The Arts and Culture
Alongside the South Quay, The Hanse House gallery space on the first floor of the Hanse House complex shows a varied and modern selection of art exhibitions at certain times of the year (check their official website for more details), with one-off cultural events, craft and education workshops also happening at the gallery space throughout the year.
A new Art Exhibition is opening at the fisherfolk museum. After the success of the Maritime Art Exhibitions of 2021 and 2022 and the Portraits exhibition of 203, the trustees decided to hold a fourth at the Community Museum located on the corner of North Street and St Ann’s Street.
The theme this year is different: Nostalgia…King’s Lynn Through Time. This will celebrate brand new works by the Artist Alan Castleton.
The Guildhall of St George is Britain’s oldest working theatre and now operates as an arts centre, theatre and creative hub, with a programme of local events, performances and concerts.
GroundWork shows the work of contemporary artists who care about how we see the world. With exhibitions and creative programmes we explore how art can enable us to respond to the changing environment and imagine how we can shape its future.
Offering a huge range of entertainment including live music, top comedians, classical ballet, opera, theatre and pantomime. It is also available to hire and is regularly used for fairs, concerts and dinner dances.
History and Heritage
King’s Lynn has a rich and varied history form a fishing village, to a thriving centre of commerce with Hanseatic connections, folklore, mystery, and magic. The history and heritage of King’s Lynn is exciting and interactive for all the family. Join the King’s Lynn Town Guides on a guided walk of the town and uncover it’s history. Take a wander through the Stories of Lynn and experience the prison of old, along with a very special piece of history. Lynn Museum has wonderful exhibitions and children’s activities to engage children. Don’t miss out on the many free trails around the town.
King’s Lynn Town Guides
The King’s Lynn Town Guides offer a varied programme of walking tours taking in the rich history of the town and its maritime heritage. Regular walks include ‘Historic Lynn’ and ‘Sailors, Smugglers and Merchant Adventurers’.
The Guides are also happy to take private parties and special interest groups throughout the year.
Featuring old jail cells, this museum explores the history of the town, with many hands-on displays.
King’s Lynn’s history stretches back to the 12th century and beyond when it was one of England’s most important ports. The town’s rich past has left a magnificent heritage of architecture and stories to be discovered.
Enjoy this delightful museum which tells the story of West Norfolk. Step back in time as you walk through Seahenge, the astonishing Bronze Age timber circle that is the museum’s stunning centrepiece, and learn about the people who meticulously crafted these mysterious timbers.
Palladian Mansion built for Britain’s first Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole. Award-winning 5-acre walled garden, Deer Park, Model Soldier Museum, Contemporary sculptures, Café & Gift Shop.
Captain Fawcett invites you to stroll virtually and at your leisure through his world renowned ‘Marvellous Barbershop Museum’, his personal homage to tonsorial art, housed in the rather splendid Emporium.
The Military Experience Centre is an opportunity to experience educational, hands-on, interactive displays and discover British military history.
You can dress up and be photographed with current and past military issue kit. We also have an airsoft shooting range where you can shoot a variety of weapons for a small additional cost.
There is a museum, gift shop and tearoom. Film shows, guided walks and a programme of exhibitions are on display in the galleries. The Yard also holds an authentic fishing smack ‘The Activity’. Facilities upstairs include a large Education room and computer room with broadband and all updated packages.
Active and Wellbeing
Don’t forget to bring your clubs – west Norfolk has a good variety of golf courses, with many offering pay and play for visitors.
Bawsey Bay Watersports is a great family friendly experience that offers the opportunity to get out and enjoy the water in the beautiful grounds of Bawsey Estate and Country Park.
The 15 years of experience that Les and Steve bring from running their own businesses on the coast means you can be assured of a safe and enjoyable day out.
Watatunga is an award-winning new wildlife reserve. 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.
West Norfolk is ideal cycling country – whether you bring your own or hire a bike locally, and there’s a wealth of cycle routes criss-crossing the whole area, often following traffic-free paths and traffic-calmed roads to provide extra peace of mind for the cyclist.
Converted farm complex with 79 en suite bedrooms, two restaurants, traditional pub and health and leisure club with indoor pool. Close to historic King’s Lynn, Sandringham with its Royal residence and the unspoilt Norfolk coast.
West Norfolk is the perfect destination for all anglers, from the beginner to the well-experienced, for great all-year-round fishing.
Little Massingham Manor is a stunning Arts and Crafts house, that has recently undergone a complete reinvention. It is nestled on a private estate, with 63 acres of woodland, professionally designed gardens and meadows to explore. Elements at the Manor are based on site, and offer a variety of wellbeing, health, fitness and beauty services for all our guests.
Lynnsport is situated in 72 acres of parkland and is one of the largest sports and leisure facilities in the country offering a host of activities. Come rain or shine there’s something for everyone to do at Lynnsport. There’s also a skatepark at Kaset and also a large playground that children of all ages will enjoy.
Experiences
Come and visit the best indoor crazy golf centre this side of Norfolk. We have a fantastic range of courses, street food vendors and events throughout the year. Octoputts is fun for all the family! Scroll down to learn more.
Gin enthusiasts can also enjoy experiences and masterclasses in the exclusive Gin School and Spirit Lounge or learn more about how gin is made on a Distillery Tour. In addition, the distillery is available for private hire – perfect for events of any kind, including meetings and drinks receptions.
Hidden gem
On a back street in kings Lynn lies an unassuming door, but behind it lives a selection of rums like no other. No questions ,just book and try the experience. You’ll be back.
Watatunga is an award-winning new wildlife reserve. 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.
Annual Events
Every year King’s Lynn plays host to a range of exciting and fun events for people of all ages. We’ve included some of the main one’s below. Please click through to find out the dates for this year and more information.
The annual Hanse Day celebrations in King’s Lynn all began as we know it in 2009 when the Borough Council organised the town’s first ever Hanse Festival, and maritime merriment was had by all. During the festival weekend visitors enjoyed the sound of sea shanties and songs of the sea along the quayside, street theatre, an al-fresco food fair, heritage walk and much more maritime merriment. The majestic Lisa von Lubeck, a 15th Century caravel reconstruction, cruised up the River Great Ouse from its port in Lubeck, Germany to greet the crowds on the King’s Lynn quayside.
The King’s Lynn Civic Society, working with the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, the King’s Lynn Town Guides, local businesses, residents and Friends’ groups arrange a jam-packed programme of open buildings, cemeteries, towers and tunnels with lots of special events, talks and exhibitions.
A guaranteed day of fun for all the family, and the chance to have a sneak peek at buildings not normally open to the public, including a very popular World War II Air Raid Shelter underneath Tuesday Market Place. There is also a veteran bus arranged each year, free for everyone to use on the day. So, if you feel that some places are a bit far to get to on foot, simply hop on the bus.
Taking place in the heart of this historic town, an impressive range of festivals feature a fine selection of music, performance, poetry and literary events appealing to enthusiastic audiences throughout the year.
Visitors to the town in mid-July can enjoy the King’s Lynn Festival of Music and the Arts. Every year, visitors and locals alike enjoy theatre, comedy, the visual arts and choral and orchestral concerts (often held in the town’s churches).
A weekend of speedboat and high-octane water ski racing, jet ski demonstrations and offshore water boats on the River Great Ouse in King’s Lynn.
The Hanseatic Festival of Watersports is a free event and witnesses the return of Formula 1, 2 and 3 water-ski racing, along with jet skiers and OCRDA on the water, at the end of May. Visitors can watch the action from the King’s Lynn quayside whilst also enjoying the fun family activities and live music on offer.
