Guided Walks of Historic King’s Lynn

Due to covid-19 restrictions the 2020 programme has been cancelled, but the Town Guides are available for small private bookings, subject to government advice and a guide being available.

Details of all the walks can be found on this website and will be adapted in accordance with the latest covid advice. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.


If you would like to do a self-guided walk during lockdown, click on one of the links below:

South Lynn

To The Walks

To the Docks

Funny Faces

Spot the Detail

King’s Lynn has over 400 Listed Buildings Grades I, II* & II, with the finest medieval architecture anywhere in the country for a town of its size.

King’s Lynn’s unique 12th Century development and prosperous Hanseatic trading links created one of the wealthiest towns in medieval England. Today, its architectural legacy includes two Market Places (one of which is the largest in England), two Guildhalls (one of which is the largest in England) and 2 Churches (one of which is the largest chapel in England). 

King’s Lynn Town Guides conduct regular guided walks every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday from May to October and at other times throughout the year by appointment. The full range of walks can be found on this website. 

Each year we show over 1,000 locals and visitors around our wonderful town and introduce them to its unique heritage. It all started with a small band of enthusiastic people who formed the first Town Guides back in 1977.

All the guides are volunteers who have given up their time to train to be awarded their badge. All the money that is collected from the walks is given away to local charities and organisations that further the conservation and promotion of the town.

King's Lynn Town Guide

Our Walks

The 2020 season commences on Friday 1st May with a Historic Lynn walk.

Following this, our Regular Walks take place until the end of October every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, starting at 2pm outside Stories of Lynn in Saturday Market Place. All walks last approximately 2 hours at a gentle strolling pace.

Throughout June and August the Guides hold a series of Thursday Evening Walks that take on more specialist themes. These walks are particularly popular with local people, many of whom come to several of the walks, making a regular evening outing through the summer whilst discovering different aspects of the town’s history.

July in King's Lynn marks the start of Festival Month and the King’s Lynn Town Guides take a number of specialist Festival Walks, including a special Festival Too Fundraising Family Walk on Sunday 12th July.

In addition, there are several free walks that are offered at various times of the year, including Hanse Weekend and Heritage Open Day.

DOWNLOAD FULL 2019 WALK SCHEDULE

Regular Walks

Monday Eve Walks

Festival Walks

  • Historic Lynn
  • Smugglers, Sailors and Merchant Adventurers
  • Custom House to St Nics’
  • Hanse Walks
  • Darker Side of Lynn
  • Supper Walks

Historic Lynn


This tour, from the Saturday Market Place to the Tuesday Market Place, takes in over 900 years of history. Historic buildings, hidden courtyards and the river all reveal King’s Lynn’s story from small settlement to successful port and elegant town – along with the stories of the people who left their mark here. Meet outside Stories of Lynn  See the map.


May — October

Tue, Fri & Sat

Stories of Lynn

£5 ADULTS / £5 CONCESSIONS / FREE UNDER 16’S

Smugglers, Sailors and Merchant Adventurers


King’s Lynn was one of England’s foremost ports from medieval times and evidence of this rich maritime heritage is to be found all along the waterfront streets – fine houses, warehouses and, of course, the Custom House. Wealthy merchants, naval heroes, brave sailors and bold smugglers have all left their stories waiting to be heard. Meet outside Stories of Lynn.


May - Oct

Tue, Fri & Sat

Stories of Lynn

£5 ADULTS / £5 CONCESSIONS / FREE UNDER 16’S

Custom House to St Nics’

Explore Bishop Turbus’ ‘new’ town, the second medieval town, started in 1180 but much altered and the buildings refaced over the years. The walk takes in King Street, St George’s Guildhall, Tuesday Market Place, True’s Yard Fisherfolk Museum and St Nicholas’ Chapel.

May - October

Tue, Fri & Sat

The Custom House

£5 ADULTS / £5 CONCESSIONS / FREE UNDER 16’S

Hanse Walks

This walk explores King’s Lynn’s long and illustrious maritime tradition. You will have insight to the old and new Hanseatic leagues whilst also discovering the fascinating history of key Hanseatic sites, one of which will be the only surviving Hanseatic warehouse in England. 

May

On request

The Custom House

£5 ADULTS / £5 CONCESSIONS / FREE UNDER 16’S

Darker Side of Lynn


Following a route from St Nicholas’ Chapel to King’s Lynn Minster, this walk explores ‘The darker side of Lynn’. You will visit sites reflecting the grimmer aspects of Lynn’s history, including the ducking stool and the pillory. As you move through the centuries from the 14th to the 19th, you will hear tales of murder, treason, hangings and witchcraft. Meet at St Nicholas’ Chapel.


May - October

Tue, Fri & Sat

St Nicholas’ Chapel

£5 ADULTS / £5 CONCESSIONS / FREE UNDER 16’S

Supper Walks

The supper walks start and finish at each restaurant and last for around an hour followed by a two course meal. Each walk will take in a different set of historic features that are close by and will also take in the history of the restaurants themselves. Bookings should be made directly with each named restaurant.

On Request

On Request

Various

Check with Restaurant ADULTS / N/A CONCESSIONS / N/A UNDER 16’S
  • Old Lynn New Pubs
  • South Lynn
  • Gaywood Walk
  • Riverside Streets & People in Victorian Lynn
  • Fisherfolk, Merchants and Smugglers Too
  • Victorian Lynn
  • The Victorian Transformation of Lynn's North End

Old Lynn New Pubs

A walk through King’s Lynn’s ‘old town’ discovering how historic sites have been brought back into new use, including visits to three new pubs that have been recently created in some of the most important locations.

On Request for Groups or . . .

Thursday 18th June, 27th August

Stories of Lynn 7pm

£5 ADULTS / £5 CONCESSIONS / N/A UNDER 16’S

South Lynn

This delightful walk along the banks of the River Nar traces Lynn’s medieval boat building and whaling sites and ends with a tour of All Saints Church. On the way we discover the secluded and unspoilt Georgian streets of their former maritime quarter.

On Request for Groups or . . .

Monday 10th June

Boal Quay Car Park 7pm

£5 ADULTS / £4 CONCESSIONS / £1 UNDER 16’S

Gaywood Walk

Gaywood’s history is older than Lynn’s. This walk will explore the development of Gaywood from Bishop’s residence, to rural village and Bagge family estate, to the busy suburb of King’s Lynn that we know today.

On Request for Groups or . . .

Monday 8th July

At the old gate to King Edward VII Academy. 7pm

£5 ADULTS / £4 CONCESSIONS / £1 UNDER 16’S

Riverside Streets & People in Victorian Lynn

Lynn’s riverside streets of historic buildings are rarely visited to discover their Victorian Past (1837-1901), but they were teeming with people as in earlier centuries. Merchant houses, taverns, overcrowded yards and waterside warehouses in these years all merit attention. Who was where? This guided walk from the Saturday Market Place to the Tuesday Market Place via Queen and King Streets looks at the social character of the “Old Town” during Queen Victoria’s reign.

On Request for Groups

starts at

Stories of Lynn

£5 ADULTS / £4 CONCESSIONS / £1 UNDER 16’S

Fisherfolk, Merchants and Smugglers Too

A tour of the North End looking at the trade, buildings and lives of some of the people who lived there. This walk starts at True’s Yard and finishes at the Tuesday Market Place

July

Monday 17th July

True’s Yard Fisherfolk Museum. 7pm

£5 ADULTS / £4 CONCESSIONS / £1 UNDER 16’S

Victorian Lynn

Victorian Lynn tells the fascinating story of the fortunes of the town in the nineteenth century. London Road with its public buildings was developed from the 1820s and the railway station influenced the construction of the adjacent streets. The walk takes in the Victorian buildings in the older part of the town, with the Corn Exchange and Swimming Bath particularly noteworthy.

On Request for Groups

starts at

Stories of Lynn

£5 ADULTS / £4 CONCESSIONS / £1 UNDER 16’S

The Victorian Transformation of Lynn's North End

A walk to mark the 150th anniversary of the Alexandra Dock (1869- 2019) which took away the ancient Fisher Fleet. Fred Savage built his New St Nicholas Ironworks adjacent to it. What were the consequences for the fisherfolk? This includes walking to Crossbank Road and Fisher Fleet before turning to visit Pilot Street - the High Street of the North End. To finish the tour at St Nicholas where the stamp of the Victorians is also evident.

On Request for Groups or . . .

Monday 15th July

True's Yard, 7.00pm

£5 ADULTS / £4 CONCESSIONS / £1 UNDER 16’S
  • Darker Side of Lynn
  • Religious Lynn
  • The River Walk
  • Four Churches and a Chapel
  • Lynn's Victorian Schools

Darker Side of Lynn

This is not a ghost walk but from St Nicholas’ Chapel to the Minster Church of St Margaret this walk explores the ‘darker side of Lynn’. You will visit sites reflecting the grimmer aspects of Lynn’s history, including the ducking stool and the pillory. As you move through the centuries from the 14th to the 19th, you will hear tales of murder, treason, hangings and witchcraft.

Scheduled through the year or on request

Wednesday 17th July

St Nicholas' Chapel 2.00pm

£5 ADULTS / £4 CONCESSIONS / £4 UNDER 16’S

Religious Lynn

This walk explores The Minster Church of King’s Lynn (C12th) and, following the merchant streets, arrives at All Saints Church (C11th) stopping on the way to visit The Greenland Fishery (C17th).

On Request for Groups

starts from

Stories of Lynn

£5 ADULTS / £4 CONCESSIONS / £1 UNDER 16’S

The River Walk

This walk explores both banks of the river and includes discovering Harding’s Pit, crossing the river at the South Lynn Bridge and experiencing the view of King’s Lynn from the West Bank. A Ferry crossing ends the walk in Ferry Lane/King Street. PLEASE NOTE: The walk will take 2 - 2½ hours and involves walking along footpaths which are not concreted and a ferry crossing. Walking shoes are recommended.

On Request for Groups or. . .

Thursday 25th July

The Custom House 2pm

£5 plus ferry fare ADULTS / £4 plus ferry fare CONCESSIONS / £1 plus ferry fare UNDER 16’S

Four Churches and a Chapel

Spanning ten centuries this tour takes in an eclectic mix of ecclesiastical buildings in a wide range of architecture, some of which Pugin and Salvin influenced. See an anchorite’s cell, a Grade 1 listed Victorian park and its unique pilgrim chapel and a monastery garden with the Leaning Tower of Lynn. Learn how Edward VII helped provide a place of worship for the King of Spain.

On Request for Groups or . . .

Thursday 18th July, Saturday 31st August

Tower Gardens

£5 ADULTS / £4 CONCESSIONS / £1 UNDER 16’S

Lynn's Victorian Schools

Discover the whereabouts of the ‘lost’ schools of Victorian Lynn. At the beginning of Victoria’s reign, education was available only to those who could afford it. By the end of her reign, education was free and compulsory for all children. During this period, six elementary schools were built in Lynn. This walk explores the sites of the schools and the surviving evidence of the daily life of the children and their teachers.

On Request for Groups or. . .

Wednesday 24th July

All Saints Church, 2.00pm

£5 ADULTS / £4 CONCESSIONS / £1 UNDER 16’S
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King's Lynn Job Centre Private Walks

Private Walks

The Guides are more than happy to take privately arranged group walks. These can be tailored to suit any theme or length and are available all year round. 

If you can’t make one of our scheduled walks and would like to get a group of people together, then a private tour may be an ideal way to show off the town for corporate or family events. 

Many local companies use a private tour as part of a team-building event or just as a staff night out, taking in a Historic Walk in the early evening followed by dinner in an old-town restaurant.

We only need a minimum of 6 people to arrange a private group and tours can be arranged any day of the week with reasonable notice. 

Please get in touch with us to discuss your ideas and requirements. 

The Guides

All the guides are volunteers who have given up their time to train to be awarded their badge. They come from a diverse range of backgrounds, but are united by a common fondness for King’s Lynn and an enthusiasm that they wish to share with others to raise the profile of the town amongst the wider population.

The King's Lynn Town Guides
THE KING'S LYNN TOWN GUIDES

Money Raised

One of the important benefits of the Town Guides’ work is the money that is raised that goes towards good causes in King's Lynn.

All the money that is collected for our walks is used to further the conservation and promotion of the town. Since 1998 we have guided over 50,000 visitors on walks around King’s Lynn and donated over £80,000 to worthy causes.

This is recognised in a ceremony that takes place each year in the Town Hall and has become a regular feature in the King’s Lynn calendar as each year the Guides donate the proceeds from their Town Walks to local heritage organisations.

The latest Annual Donations Ceremony took place at King’s Lynn Town Hall on Friday 21st February 2020, in the presence of the Borough Mayor, Cllr Geoff Hipperson.

donations 2020

Following another very successful year for the Guides, donations have been given to a larger number of organisations. Recipients of donations from the proceeds of 2019 walks are: 

£80,000 Donated to Worthy Causes

Contact & Book

Tickets for all walks can be purchased in advance from the Tourist Information Centre in Saturday Market Place (01553 774297) or simply turn up and pay the guide at the start of the walk. Prices are £5 for Adults and FREE for under 16s.

Accompanied children of all ages are welcome on our walks and there are free fun-sheets available to accompany our Historic Lynn walk. You can pick one of these up from the Tourist Information Office at the start of your walk.

If you'd like to get together with a small group of friends or colleagues for a private walk, please let us know. Walks, for a minimum of just 6 people, can be arranged any day throughout the year, with reasonable notice. Private walks can be tailored to start and finish in a variety of locations. Please call us to discuss your requirements.

FOR MORE INFORMATION & QUERIES

guides@kingslynntownguides.co.uk

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