King’s Lynn Area Guide, History, Sites & Things To Do
King’s Lynn is a historic town in the county of Norfolk which was founded 900 years ago. With a population of 43,000 people, it is a diverse town with a mix of age groups, although there are a higher number of older residents compared to other parts of the UK.
With a strong medieval history, visitors can enjoy the many historic sites today and see The River Great Ouse run through the town, which connects to the North Sea.
Today, King’s Lynn is a safe and family-friendly town where locals enjoy several green parks, markets and independent shops.
Where is King’s Lynn Located?
King’s Lynn is located on the east coast of England and is part of the country of Norfolk. It is linked to the cities of Norwich and Peterborough by the A47, to Cambridge by the A10, and to Spalding and the North via the A17.
- 44 miles from Norwich
- 97 miles from London
The town has good transport links with a railway station that offers direct trains to London’s King’s Cross in less than 2 hours.
The History of King’s Lynn
King’s Lynn was a medieval port and was originally called Bishop’s Lynn but the town’s name was changed from King’s Lynn in 1537 when it became the property of King Henry VIII. In the Middle Ages, it was one of the UK’s busiest trading ports and was flourishing with trade and fishing.
The town is also well-known for its maritime history, with the beautiful River Ouse running through it – and this is complimented by the number of historic buildings from the medieval and Georgian period that surround the area. The famous explorer Captain George Vancouver, who mapped the coast of Canada, was born in the town in 1757.
The Demographic of King’s Lynn
Main Historic Sites To Visit King’s Lynn
Custom House – Built in 1863, it was once used to collect taxes on goods coming into the port.
St. Margaret’s Church – Also called King’s Lynn Minster, this impressive Church dates back to the 12th Century and has beautiful stained-glass windows.
Greyfriars Tower – This tower is a surviving part of the Franciscan Monastery from the 13th Century.
True’s Yard Fisherfolk Museum – Telling the story of the town’s fishing community and history through the Middle Ages.
Lynn Museum – Displays the famous Seahenge, a prehistoric timber circle found nearby.
St Margaret’s Church dates back to the 12th Century and is known for its stain glass windows
Things To Do in King’s Lynn
Beyond the historic sites, King’s Lynn has lots of activities for locals and visitors including parks, theatres, markets and shops.
The Walks is a beautiful tree-lined park dating back to the 18th century.
The Corn Exchange is a popular venue for theatre shows, concerts and comedy performances.
The main shopping area is the Vancouver Quarter, with a mix of high street shops and independent shops. On Tuesdays and Saturdays, the town has a flourishing market selling fresh produce, clothes and other goods.
For nature lovers, they can visit The Sandringham Estate nearby, which is a county home of the British Royal Family. To venture out a little further, there is the stunning Norfolk coast which includes natural beaches and nature reserves.
The markets in King’s Lynn are open on Tuesdays and Saturdays and include fresh produce and clothes
SilverOak Dentistry is a family-run dentist in King’s Lynn that is delighted to serve the local community and whole county of Norfolk. For any questions and enquiries relating to our services, please email hello@silveroakdentistry.co.uk
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