Landmark
Custom House
Built in 1683 to designs by local architect Henry Bell, this elegant stone building on Purfleet Quay is the postcard image of King's Lynn. The statue of explorer George Vancouver, born in the town, stands beside it.
Explore
Things to do in King's Lynn
Historic King's Lynn is best explored on foot. Most of the sights below are within a 15-minute walk of each other, between the two great market places.
Sights & museums
Theatre & heritage
St George's Guildhall
The largest surviving medieval guildhall in England, built in the early 1400s. Tradition holds that Shakespeare's own company performed here. Now a National Trust site and a working arts venue.
National Trust →Museum
Stories of Lynn
Housed in the Trinity Guildhall with its striking chequerboard flint front. Interactive galleries tell the town's story, and the treasury holds the civic regalia, including the medieval King John Cup.
Stories of Lynn →Museum
Lynn Museum
Home of Seahenge, the 4,000-year-old timber circle that emerged from the sands at Holme-next-the-Sea, alongside West Norfolk archaeology, maritime and social history.
Norfolk Museums →Museum
True's Yard Fisherfolk Museum
Restored fishermen's cottages in the historic North End, telling the story of Lynn's close-knit fishing community and its families.
Church
King's Lynn Minster (St Margaret's)
Founded in 1101, the town's great church faces Saturday Market Place. Look for the 17th-century moon dial that shows the tide times, and the flood-height marks by the west door.
Church
St Nicholas' Chapel
Said to be the largest chapel of ease in England, with a superb angel roof. Cared for by the Churches Conservation Trust and used for concerts and events.
Landmark
Hanse House
The only surviving Hanseatic League warehouse in England, dating from 1475 — a reminder of the town's medieval trade with the Baltic and North Germany.
Park
The Walks & Red Mount Chapel
Seventeen hectares of historic parkland in the heart of town, with tree-lined avenues, a lake and the unusual octagonal Red Mount Chapel of 1485, once a stop for pilgrims heading to Walsingham.
Landmark
Greyfriars Tower
The leaning tower of a Franciscan friary founded in the 1230s, standing in the peaceful Tower Gardens with a memorial garden nearby.
Landmark
South Gate
The last surviving town gate, rebuilt in the 15th century, once guarding the main road into Lynn from London.
Walk
The riverside & historic quarter
Stroll from Tuesday Market Place along King Street and Queen Street, past merchants' houses and the quays of the Great Ouse, to Saturday Market Place. Few English towns keep so much of their medieval street plan.
Entertainment & leisure
Arts
King's Lynn Corn Exchange
The town's main theatre and concert venue on Tuesday Market Place, hosting touring shows, comedy, music and pantomime.
What's on →Cinema
Majestic Cinema
Long-running independent cinema in the town centre showing the latest releases.
Sport
Lynnsport
Leisure centre with sports halls, athletics track, gym and outdoor pitches, run by Alive West Norfolk.
Alive West Norfolk →Football
King's Lynn Town FC
"The Linnets" play at The Walks stadium, one of the oldest football grounds in the country.
Speedway
King's Lynn Stars
Top-flight speedway racing at the Adrian Flux Arena on Saddlebow Road, usually from spring to autumn.
Outdoors
Walking & cycling
Follow the Great Ouse on foot or by bike, explore The Walks, or head out on National Cycle Network routes towards Sandringham and the coast.
Visitor tips
- Opening times are seasonal — many attractions close or shorten hours in winter. Check before you go.
- Guided walks run in the historic quarter in summer; ask at the visitor information point at the Custom House.
- Wear comfortable shoes: the old streets and quays are cobbled in places.
- For more listings, visit the official tourism site Visit West Norfolk.