Visiting King’s Lynn
Click here to download (PDF) our recommendations for a number of bars and eateries when staying with us in King’s Lynn.
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.
Noteable Eras
Stroll up King Street, past Tuesday Market Place to the River Great Ouse, surrounded by history and merchants' houses along cobbled lanes. Visit Hanse House on the South Quay—England's only remaining Hanseatic warehouse dating back to 1475—and Marriott’s Warehouse, which dates back to the 16th century. Notable residents include Arctic explorer Captain Samuel Gurney Cresswell, born in Bank House and George Vancouver, memorialized by a statue at The Customs House for his 1791–1795 Pacific Coast expedition. Many more stories to be uncovered - book a town guide b y using the link below.
The Quayside
Enjoy food and drinks at a quayside restaurant with outdoor seating. Explore the local merchants, seafarers, and fishermen through the town's museums. Most attractions in King’s Lynn town centre are nearby, offering a maritime story at every turn.
The annual Hanse Festival highlights King’s Lynn’s global connections and maritime history, making it a fun day for the whole family. Events happen on land and water at the historic quayside, featuring a vibrant parade and reenactors in medieval costumes throughout the town.
Religious Heritage
You may have seen St Nicholas’ Chapel near Woolmarket House. Along with St James' Chapel to the east, they served as 'Chapels of Ease' instead of Parish Churches. St Nicholas’ Chapel is not used regularly now but hosts music events.
The Minster and Priory Church of St Margaret and St Mary Magdalene, in Saturday Market Place, was founded in 1101 by Herbert de Losinga, the first Bishop of Norwich. For 400 years, it was both the monks’ residence and the town's Parish Church, known as St Margaret’s. To explore this history, follow the Pilgrim Trail below.
Culture
King's Lynn and North Norfolk have a large art community with many galleries and performance spaces, including Groundwork Gallery, The Guildhall (being renovated), and The Corn Exchange.
The Pauls at Woolmarket House organise exhibitions featuring local artists & makers - "Contemporary and Country."
Houghton Hall offers annual installations of work by acclaimed artists and has a notable permanent collection, along with a lovely stately home and walled garden to visit for a great day out.
Local Food and Drink
Seasonal food and drink are highlights of north Norfolk. Its coastline and agricultural heritage boast local producers, independent delis, gastro pubs with micro-breweries, and restaurants using locally sourced ingredients.
The region's climate and soil are ideal for growing malt barley for beer, resulting in numerous micro-breweries and pubs. Additionally, its varied geography supports a diverse selection of delicious local foods that change seasonally.
Family Fun
King’s Lynn has walking-distance attractions, including interactive museums for kids with Seahenge, pirate coins, and Victorian rides. The Stories of Lynn museum showcases seafarers and history, while The Old Gaol House highlights its past. Kids can watch a film at the Majestic Cinema or King’s Lynn Corn Exchange Cinema.
North Norfolk's beaches and countryside are easily accessible by car or public transport.
Coastal Heritage Walks
The sixteen heritage trails featured on Visit Eest Norfolk extend impressively from King’s Lynn to Burnham Overy, winding their way through the scenic landscapes of inland north-west Norfolk. Most of the towns along these trails are conveniently accessible by public transport, with well-organized bus hubs located at King’s Lynn, Fakenham, and Well-next-the-Sea, ensuring an uncomplicated and enjoyable experience for those wishing to explore without the use of a car.
Birdwatching
Norfolk’s western region borders The Wash, a key estuary for wild birds and part of the East Atlantic flyway, hosting over 300,000 wintering birds. West Norfolk’s waterways and countryside provide diverse habitats, with internationally renowned bird watching and nature reserves year-round. Norfolk's coastline offers excellent bird-watching, including RSBP Snettisham reserve, WWT Welney Wetland Centre, and the unique villages of North Norfolk's saltmarshes, such as Cley Wildlife.