King's Lynn is one of Britain's most fascinating market towns, a treasure-house of architectural gems from medieval times through to the present day. Pevsner himself thought one of the walks in the town ranked with the world's greatest. The town, with a population of around 35,000 the third largest in Norfolk behind Norwich and Great Yarmouth, was once the third most important port in the country. And it is as a port and trading place that King's Lynn was defined for centuries. Given the strategic and resource-rich location at the mouth of the Great Ouse it is highly probable that there has been a settlement here since prehistoric times. Lynn is a corruption of the Celtic word for lake, and Lena is mentioned in the Domesday Book, so it certainly had Saxon roots - All Saints' Church here dates to Saxon times. So much of the town's heritage is linked to its one-time importance as a port. Trade there was such that the town had two market places - the original Saturday Market Square and the newer Tuesday Market Square. As well as All Saints the town boasts the 12th century St Margaret's on the Saturday Square - its tidal clock a further link to the sea trade - and the grand perpendicular style St Nicholas Chapel on the newer development, which also features some graceful Georgian buildings. Even the walk between the two squares is lined by some historic structures. In medieval days The Guildhall was the hub of economic activity, its flint faced walls built in 1421 singing out that this is Norfolk. Within the vaulted undercroft the town's 'crown jewels', including the fabulous King John's Cup, are displayed in the Regalia Room. Perhaps the most iconic building in the town is the 1683 Customs House, another Pevsner favourite, now the tourist information centre but also commemorating the trading history of the town. But vying for that honour is the Hanseatic Warehouse, also known as the Kontor, built in 1475 when Bishop's Lynn - held by the Bishop of Norwich until the dissolution when it became King's Lynn - like Yarmouth to the east and Hull to the north was part of the Hanseatic League‚s network of trading places. The list above is far from exhaustive - Red Mount, The Corn Exchange, The South Gates, Greyfriar's Tower, Hampton Court quadrangle, there are just so many beautifully preserved buildings here. If you need a break from the town's splendours, then there is plenty in its environs to bring pleasure too: the North Norfolk Coast with its beaches and birdlife is a short drive away along the scenic A149; the spooky fens are a few miles to the west; Sandringham House, the winter residence of the royal family is a mere 10 minutes away; and Fakenham Races take place less than half an hour to the east. King's Lynn is only a hundred miles or so from London, and many from the capital are happy to race to the Burnhams and Blakeney for their weekends, bypassing Lynn and missing one of the most interesting towns in the entire country.
Attraction
African Violet and Garden Centre
Bircham Windmill
Castle Acre Castle
Castle Acre Priory
Castle Rising Castle
Congham Hall Herb Garden
Creake Abbey
Gooderstone Water Gardens
Green Quay Wash Discovery Centre
Guildhall of St George
Houghton Hall
Lynn Museum
Maritime Exhibition
Oxburgh Hall
RSPB Snettisham Nature Reserve
RSPB Titchwell Marsh Nature Reserve
Sandringham
Tales of the Old Gaolhouse
The Town Hall
Town House Museum of Lynn Life
West Acre Gardens
Budget
Premier Inn Kings Lynn *book online*
Care Home
12/14 Portland Street
Adrian Lodge
Amberley Hall Care Home
Courtenay House Care Home
Goodwins Hall Nursing & Residential Care Home
The Mill House
Classes
Dance - Music & Movement
Yoga - Celtic Yoga
Club
Cottage
Hadleigh Farm Cottage
Pantiles Barn
Purlin Barn
Shepherds Hut
Terracotta Lodge
The Pippins
Waters Reach
Council
King's Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council
Doctor
Dr Barber & Partners
Dr Jelfs & Partners
Estate Agent
Belton Duffey
Brown William H
Collings Geoffery & Co
Henry James
Hockleys Residential Estate Agents
Marshland Estate Agents & Valuers
Golf Club
Health and Fitness Club
Holiday Park
Heacham Beach Holiday Park
Woodlakes
Inn
Market
Coach And Horses Car Boot
Kings Lynn Market
Performing Arts
Corn Exchange
Footlights
Kings Lynn Theatre Train
Pub and Bar
Dray & Horses
Ffolkes Arms Hotel
Hob In The Well
Jolly Farmers
London Porter House
Ostrich Inn
Queens Arms
Rampant Horse
Retreat
Sandboy
Swan
Swan Inn
Tudor Rose Hotel & Restaurant
White Horse
Woolpack
Restaurant
Aroma
Ffolkes Arms Hotel
Grants
La Rocca
Lord Nelson
Silk Road Restaurant
Tudor Rose Hotel & Restaurant
Self-Catering
2 County Court Road
Gayton Hall
Hadleigh Farm Barn
Houghton Hall
MJB Apartments Elizabeth Court
MJB Apartments St. Nicholas Close
The Pippins
Waters Reach
Woodlakes
Solicitor
Berry & Walton
Metcalfe Copeman & Pettefar
P T Ryan & Co
Ward Gethin
Taxi
A1 Cabs
B & S Cars
Capital Cars
Kings Lynn Taxis
Theatre
Vet
Priory Court Veterinary Clinic
Sports Clubs
Dersingham TC (Tennis)
Gooderstone CC (Cricket)
Kings Lynn Fury Basketball Club (Basketball)
Kumiuchi Judo Club (Martial Arts)
Ouse Amateur Sailing Club (Sailing)
Pelicans (Men's Hockey)
Pelicans (Women's Hockey)
Phoenix Judo Kwai (Martial Arts)
Snettisham Beach Sailing Club (Sailing)
West Norfolk Rugby Union Football Club (Rugby Union)
Wisbech Wheelers CC (Cycling)
Shops
Debenhams
Beers of Europe
Violets
Boots
Early Learning Centre
The Party Shop & Balloon World
Rymans
Dickies Pet Centre Ltd
Treasured Pets Supplies
Castle Acre Organic
Jai Chemist
Wigram & Ware
Nikku Morganti
The Barn
Waterstones
J D Sports
Trayzs Crafts
BodyShop
PC World
The human gyroscope
Wickes
Artlands
Henderson Art
Burnham Deepdale Exhibitions
Salt Water Gallery
Abbey Farm Organics
H Samuel
Ernest Jones
Mothercare
Gamestation
B&Q
Edinburgh Woollen Mill
J J B Sports
Pets At Home
River Island
Topman
Topshop
Thomas B. Bonnett
The Entertainer
Antiques
Country Antiques
Farmhouse Antiques
Knight R D
Old Granary Antiques Centre
Antiques Prior and Willis
The Antiques Emporium
Activities
Kings Lynn CC(Cycling)
Places to Stay near Kings Lynn
Sudbury House (0.08 miles)
The Globe (0.20 miles)
Combining the traditional with the new, JD Wetherspoon has achieved this with the centuries old Globe Hotel in King's Lynn offering comfort and value for money in both our hotel, ... More
Duke's Head Hotel (The) (0.20 miles)
This 16th century coaching inn overlooks the magnificent Tuesday Market Place in the centre of this historic town. For international cuisine dine in the Duke's Head a la carte restaurant and Griffins Restaurant. This classic ... More | visit website
MJB Apartments St. Nicholas Close (0.34 miles)
2 County Court Road (0.35 miles)
2 County Court Road is a small well equipped one bedroom apartment, sleeping 2. On entering all rooms lead from the hallway. It comprises of Lounge/diner, double bedroom, kitchen, and ... More
MJB Kings Lynn Apartments 78 Norfolk Street (0.39 miles)
Premier Inn Kings Lynn (0.55 miles)
Stuart House Hotel (0.59 miles)
Close to Royal Sandringham and the Norfolk countryside, in the historic town centre of King’s Lynn, this small, friendly hotel offers well-appointed rooms, an excellent restaurant and a charming bar.
This tranquil, ... More | visit website
Fairlight Lodge (0.66 miles)
Ramada Kings Lynn (1.51 miles)
The Ramada King's Lynn is located in the historic port and market town of Kings Lynn, with easy access to Sandringham. We are 15 mins from the Hunstanton Snettisham kids park ... More
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